Developmental Disorders Resulting From Toxic Chemicals

This work in writing seeks to identify developmental disorders that result from toxic chemicals and to answer as to whether these disorders are possible to prevent and if so how they may be prevented. Alternatively, if these disorders are not possible to prevent this work will answer the question of why they are not preventable.

Household & Environmental Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

The work of Graff, Murphy, Ekvall and Gagnon (2006) reports that in-home toxic chemical exposures have been identified as being the reason for developmental delays in some children. Toxic chemical exposure to lead and mercury are reported in the study as being the cause of some developmental disorders.

Contributing to brain development in children are factors such as: (1) gene expression; (2) heredity; (3) socioeconomic factors; (4) stress; (5) drugs; (6) nutrition; and (7) chemical contaminants. (Gupta, 2008) Gupta additionally states that there are "multiple ways by which chemicals can disrupt neurological development such as influencing gene expression, protein pathways and hypothyroidism. It is a well-established fact that a child's nervous system is more sensitive to chemical exposures compared to an adult nervous system." (2008)

There are stated to be a wide range of toxic chemical sin the environment that are linked to neurodevelopmental disabilities which affect approximately three to eight percent of the total 4 million babies born in the U.S. every year. Exposure to toxic chemicals may be through industrial accidents, occupational exposure, suicide attempts and accidental poisonings. The number of toxic chemicals that cause neurotoxicity is stated to exceed 1000. (Gupta, 2008, paraphrased)

II. Prevention

Prevention is possible although there are many challenges presented in the prevention of exposure of children to toxic chemicals. In order to prevent toxic chemical exposure in children the effort required is one of great magnitude and one that will require the participation of many actors at many levels throughout society and the world at large.

Bibliography

Gupta, Mona Sethi (2008) Neurodevelopmental disorders in Children. Autism and ADHD. Environmental Chemistry.com. 14 Apr 2008. Online available at: http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/environmental/200804childrenautismadhd.html

Graff, J. Carolyn; Murphy, Laura; Ekvall, Shirley; and Gagnon, Michele (In -- Home Toxic Chemical Exposures and children: Implications for Health Providers. Pediatr Nurs. 2006;32(6):596-603. © 2006 Jannetti Publications, Inc. Online available at: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/552359_5