Children Will Be Monitored For Environmental Health Effects -- MesoLink.org -- 09-13-04

There are many substances that we class as hazardous, deadly and undesirable, but which are found naturally occurring within the environment. These include substances such as mercury, benzene, carbon monoxide, and the cancer causing substance, asbestos.

Concerns have risen over the years about how these naturally occurring yet hazardous substances could negatively affect the environment, residents, and perhaps most notably, children.

The particular concern over the health effects that these substances could have on children is based on the fact that youngster are at a higher risk of exposure from the environment than adults.

There are a number of reasons for the increased environmental risk for children. Kids tend to spend more time outside, playing and kicking up dust, thus increasing the risk of making substances like asbestos fibers airborne. Children also have a less developed immune system, making it difficult to fight the effects of these substances. And with younger children, there is increased risk these substances being taken in through contamination, as they put their fingers and a variety if foreign – possibly infected – objects in their mouths.

Seven years ago the Environmental Task Force on Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children was set up by ex-President Clinton, and this program was designed to monitor the environmental effects on kids from birth to adulthood.

It is hopped that around 100,000 children will be part of the scheme, and they will be monitored from birth (enrollment will be through the pregnant parent) to around the age of 21.