Biological factors which may influence an older child's or adolescent's responses to toxic chemicals

Currently, there is considerable interest in scientific and regulatory issu es relating to protection of children's health. Attention to date has large ly been focused on establishing the efficacy and safety of drugs in childre n and on assessing potential risks of pesticides and similar agents to infa nts and young children. Older children and adolescents, however, have recei ved little attention as special subgroups at risk from exposure to toxic an d carcinogenic chemicals. Adolescence is the second most rapid period of gr owth and development, after infancy. Several organ systems experience subst antial structural and functional changes during puberty. Attention is focus ed in this review on the more important organ systems that are undergoing m aturation and therefore may be the most likely to exhibit aberrant response s to toxicants. Attention is also paid to age-related changes in processes which govern the disposition and metabolism of chemicals in the body. (C) 1 999 Academic Press.