Developmental And Neurological Toxins example essay topic

U.S. companies have to report the amount of chemicals that they use and disperse into the environment to the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1998 1.2 billion pounds of chemicals were released into the air and water. All of these chemicals can potentially affect the way a child's brain or body develops. A staggering 53% of all toxic chemicals reported are known or suspected developmental or neurological toxins. The states with the highest emissions of developmental or neurological toxins are Louisiana and Texas. The industry which accounts for the largest percentage of these toxins is the chemical manufacturing industry.

The other industries that are major contributors are the U.S. Paper, metal, and plastic manufacturers. An industry of major concern is the printing industry. The printing industry is usually less industrial in nature and is located in closer proximity to residential areas. This industry may have the most adverse affect on children. There has been an increase over the years in physical and mental problems with children such as an increase in very low birth weights, an increase in premature births, a doubling of atrial septal defect, increase in obstructive genitor-urinary defects, increase in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and a doubling of the incidence of autism. Scientists believe that developmental and neurological toxins could be responsible for these drastic increases.

It is estimated that 17% of U.S. children suffer from developmental, learning, or behavioral disabilities. It is believed that exposure to known toxic substances is responsible for approximately 3% of these disabilities. When you calculate this statistic is accounts for approximately 360,000 U.S. children who suffer from developmental or neurological deficits as a result of exposure to toxins. This study is based on what we currently know about developmental and neurological toxins. Most of the commercially used chemicals, about 80,000, have never been tested as to there affect on development. Additionally, a significant percentage of developmental and neurological defects were blamed on environmental factors.

It is not known what role toxins may play in the changing of the environmental factors. This suggest that the real impacts of these pollutants are much more significant than we realize. The study suggest that as a nation we are focused on cancer causing substances and we have neglected to address solutions for the health risk associated with developmental and neurological toxins. It is believed that new and existing chemicals should be tested, product labels should explain potential risks, new standards should be implemented for pollution reporting more control of toxic chemicals, and closer attention paid to exposure and disease monitoring.