How many toxic chemicals are we exposed to in our environment? Quite a few, according to a new study--and a lot of them could be affecting our children. Scientists have discovered that environmental chemicals could be the reason behind brain development disorders such as autism, dyslexia and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
In 2006, researchers identified five industrial chemicals that could cause harm to the brain--lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic and toluene, according to Time. Exposure to these chemicals was associated with changes in neuron development in the fetus and among infants. Now, these researchers have found an additional six chemicals that could cause harm: manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
The worrying part of this whole situation is that these chemicals are affecting children--the future generation. In fact, Philippe Grandjean, one of the co-authors of the new stud, said the world is facing a "chemical brain drain," according to The Business Standard. As industrial chemicals and pesticides are used in the environment, it's crucial to understand how they be regulated in order to prevent future exposures.
The fact that fluoride made the list is somewhat concerning. Many health authorities assert that low levels of fluoride in drinking water is safe and can protect teeth against decay. Yet the new study revealed that children in areas with high levels of fluoride in water had significantly lower IQ scores than those living in low-level fluoride areas, according to The Sidney Morning Herald.
"the consequence of such brain damage is impaired [central nervous system] function that lasts a lifetime and might result in reduce intelligence, as expressed in terms of lost IQ points, or disruption in behavior," write the researchers in their report in the journal Lancet Neurology.
As these chemicals lower IQ scores, it's crucial to curtail environmental exposure. New policies will have to be put in place in order to help with this in the future.
