Exposure to Environmental Chemical Contaminants and Infant Diseases: Constant Hazard?

This study made a brief review on the major toxic chemical contaminants, routes and forms of exposure and their possible associations with diseases in childhood. The exposure to environmental chemical contaminants: lead, mercury, agrochemicals, PCBs, dioxins and BPA are characterized by situations of constant danger to healthy child development. Such substances have harmful effects on various systems and organs, but scientific attention has been focused on hormonal and neurobehavioral abnormalities in childhood. The child's physiological demands and behavioral features increase the risk of childhood and adult disease caused by exposure to these contaminants. It has been observed that in recent decades, there have been few scientific advances, especially in emerging countries, regarding the understanding of the mechanisms involving the toxicity of one or multiplex biotics in low doses during the critical stages of development of the human organism. There is great concern regarding the organochlorine compounds that act as endocrine disrupters and are highly persistent and bio accumulative. In order to reduce the risks of a child being exposed to environmental pollutants, as well as to diagnose and track health issues resulting from this dangerous situation to human life, managers, health professionals, and researchers worldwide are recommending further studies and efforts regarding the applicability of preventive measures and monitoring of indicators in children's environmental health.