CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT - ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS AND CHILDRENS HEALTH

Although the impact of environmental contaminants on human health has been widely studied, few reports in the Canadian literature have focus sed on the specific vulnerability of children. Because of their rapid growth, physiologic and metabolic immaturity, the fetus and child are often at increased risk from toxic substances in their environments. F urthermore, greater air, food and fluid intakes relative to body weigh t compared with the adult, increase the child's potential for excessiv e exposures. The crawling stage of infancy, the play patterns and shor t stature of toddlers also serve to increase their exposure to dust an d heavy and volatile substances which accumulate near the floor. This article provides an overview of some of the developmental physiologic, anatomic and behavioural features of the fetus, infant and child whic h increase their vulnerability to environmental contaminants in compar ison with adults. Specific examples are given.