Environmental Toxins: Industrial Toxins Responsible for Brain Damage?

Scientists are warning that millions of children around the world may have suffered brain damage as a result of industrial pollution. Many environmental toxins can act as teratogens and cause brain damage. Conditions believed to be triggered by environmental toxins are autism, attention deficit disorder, mental retardation, and cerebral palsy.

Have toxins damaged millions of children?

Only a few industrial chemicals that damage the developing brain have been identified thus far and even fewer actually banned. 201 chemicals that are known the affect the adult brain still are in use, while more than 1,000 chemicals that are known to be neurotoxic to animals and consequently are likely dangerous to humans are still being used. Many of these chemicals are present in everyday goods, pesticides, and in the atmosphere. "Only a few substances, such as lead and mercury, are controlled with the purpose of protecting children. The 200 other chemicals that are known to be toxic to the human brain are not regulated to prevent adverse effects on the foetus or a small child," said Dr. Phillipe Grandjean, of the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark.