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Children and Adolescence

In today's modern world, we face unprecedented exposure to environmental toxins that profoundly impact the health and development of our youth. During the critical periods of prenatal development, childhood, and adolescence, exposure to toxins can disrupt growth and development, causing long-lasting or irreversible effects [2]. Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable due to their rapidly growing bodies and increased need for food, air, and water, leading to higher relative exposure to toxins. Their developing organ systems are also more prone to permanent damage [1].


Since the 1970s, while infant mortality has decreased and life expectancy has increased, the incidence of toxin-related health issues has surged. Conditions such as asthma have risen by 40%, and childhood cancer cases have increased by 30%, along with increased prevalence of birth defects, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding these toxins and implementing protective measures is essential for safeguarding the health of our youngest generations.

Where Do They Come From?

Children and adolescents encounter diverse environmental toxins through multiple pathways, each with specific sources and significant health consequences. These toxins include heavy metals, air pollutants, food additives, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and plastics, affecting brain, respiratory, hormonal, and physiological functions [3].

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Heavy Metals

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Lead: Lead-based paints in older homes produce ingestible dust and chips [5], contaminated soil near industrial sites exposes children via outdoor play [6], and lead pipes leach lead into drinking water [7].  For further information check out the page on Lead.

 

Mercury: Mercury bioaccumulates in large fish like tuna and swordfish [9], and coal plant emissions deposit it into water, entering the food chain [10]. For further information check out the page on Mercury.

 

Arsenic: Naturally-occurring arsenic contaminates groundwater and accumulates in rice [11] [12]. For further information check out the page on Arsenic.

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Air Pollutants

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The most common air pollutants that affect children are particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone. For further information check out the page on air pollution.

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Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Traffic emissions contaminate the air in urban areas [13], factories and power plants contribute regionally [14], and indoor cooking (particularly wood fired stoves) elevates household levels of particulate matter [15].

 

Nitrogen Dioxide (NOâ‚‚): Vehicle exhaust is the main outdoor source [17], with indoor gas stoves and heaters adding to exposure [18].

 

Ozone (O₃): Sunlight reacts with vehicle and industrial pollutants, generating ozone [19].

 

Agricultural Chemicals


Organophosphates & Herbicides: Pesticides and herbicides persist on treated produce [20], and residential use exposes children through direct contact or soil [20]. For further information check out the page on Farming Practices.

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Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

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There are a number of chemicals that disrupt endocrine pathways. A few are list below. For further information, check out the page on Women’s Health.

 

Phthalates, Parabens, and BPA: Phthalates in plastics and personal care products, BPA in food containers and receipts, and parabens in cosmetics enter our bodies by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact [21].

 

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): Non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, and food packaging leaches PFAS into food and water [21].

 

Plastics


Microplastics: Microplastics are intentionally added to some body scrubs and toothpastes. They also contaminate soil and water, entering the food chain [22]. For further  information check out the page on plastics.

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Food Additives


Artificial Colors, Preservatives, and Flavor Enhancers: Artificial colors are added to many processed foods, preservatives such as sodium benzoate extend shelf life in processed foods, and MSG is often used in fast food [23].  For further information check out the page on food.

How They Affect You

The development and health of adolescents is affected in a number of ways including:

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Heavy Metals

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Lead: Lead crosses the placenta, binding to red blood cells and disrupting heme synthesis, impairing fetal brain development and causing preterm birth or low birth weight [6]. In children, it inhibits neurotransmitter release of dopamine and damages the prefrontal cortex, leading to IQ loss, attention deficits, and even aggression [5]. Adolescents show difficulty with behavior control [8]. In Brazil, a 2015 study near a São Paulo battery recycling plant found that children with blood lead levels above 10 µg/dL were more likely to experience reduced IQ and struggle academically [30]. For further information check out the page on Lead.

 

Mercury: Methylmercury accumulates in the cerebellum of the brain, impairing speech and coordination [8]. In adolescents, chronic exposure disrupts hippocampal function, affecting memory and mood stability [8]. A 2010 study of Inuit children in the Canadian Arctic showed that mercury levels from fish consumption averaging 5.6 µg/L, was tied to subtle motor and cognitive delays [31]. For further information check out the page on Mercury.

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Arsenic: In children, arsenic disrupts synaptic signaling in the brain, causing neurotoxicity and cognitive delays [8]. If left unchecked, it forms toxic intermediates linked to skin lesions and vascular damage [8]. In Bangladesh, a 2013 study found that children drinking arsenic-contaminated well water (>50 µg/L) had lower verbal IQ scores [28]. For further information check out the page on Arsenic. 

 

Air Pollutants

 

Air pollutants affect the development and ongoing of health of children in a number of ways outlined below. For further information check out the page on air pollution.

 

Particulate Matter (PM2.5): In children, PM2.5 particles are inhaled and deposited in the lungs, inducing oxidative stress and epithelial damage, leading to asthma and reduced lung capacity [16]. In Delhi, India, a 2019 study linked PM2.5 levels above 100 µg/m³ to a 20% higher asthma rate in adolescents [32].

 

Nitrogen Dioxide (NOâ‚‚): NOâ‚‚ reacts with lung tissue, forming nitric acid and free radicals, inflaming the placenta prenatally and causing low birth weight [17]. In children, it upregulates airway inflammation, increasing respiratory infections and asthma [16]. Long-term, it scars lung epithelium, impairing gas exchange [8]. A 2016 UK study found children near high-traffic areas with NOâ‚‚ levels >40 µg/m³ had a 15% higher asthma incidence [29].

 

Ozone (O₃): In children, ozone triggers airway hyperresponsiveness by activating mast cells, which can cause asthma exacerbations and stunted lung growth [16]. In Mexico City, a 2012 study showed children exposed to ozone levels >70 ppb had a 10% reduction in lung function [34].


Agricultural Chemicals

 

Organophosphates & Herbicides: Organophosphates inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, causing buildup of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and overstimulation of neurons. This impairs cognitive development and causes behavioral disruptions [20]. Herbicides disrupt thyroid hormone synthesis, risking reproductive and endocrine imbalance [20]. In California, USA, a 2011 study found children with prenatal organophosphate levels >50 nmol/L had 7-point lower IQs at age seven [33]. For further information check out the page on Farming Practices.


Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)

 

There are a number of chemicals that disrupt endocrine pathways. A few are list below. For further information, check out the page on Women’s Health.

 

Phthalates, Parabens, and BPA: In children and adolescents, these compounds accelerate puberty by overstimulating gonadotropin hormone release, risking obesity and reproductive dysfunction [21]. In China, a 2018 study linked prenatal BPA exposure (>2 µg/L in maternal urine) to a 30% higher obesity risk in children by age six [35].


PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): PFAS disrupts fat metabolism and insulin signaling, increasing the risk of obesity and immune suppression [21].

 

Plastics

 

Microplastics: Microplastics increase absorption of other pollutants into our bodies. They cross the gut barrier, triggering inflammation and potentially amplifying hormonal and developmental disruptions [22]. In Italy, a 2021 study detected microplastics in 80% of children’s stool samples, linked to elevated gut inflammation markers [37]. For further information check out the page on plastics.

 

Food Additives

 

Artificial Colors, Preservatives, and Flavor Enhancers: Artificial colors and preservatives disrupt our gut microbiome, increasing histamine release and hyperactivity through dopamine dysregulation [23]. MSG overstimulates glutamate receptors, potentially impairing attention and learning [23]. In Australia, a 2007 study found that children consuming drinks with artificial colors such as tartrazine, had a 14% increase in ADHD symptoms [38]. For further information check out the page on food.

How To Protect Yourself

Protecting youth requires policy, community, and individual action.

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  1. Improve home safety: Ventilation and air purifiers reduce indoor PM2.5 and NOâ‚‚. Learn about your risk and ways to mitigate air pollution in your home with this resource produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
    Families can also test their home water for lead and arsenic with kits recommended by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
     

  2. Advocate for stricter environmental regulations: Organizations like the Children’s Environmental Health Network provide resources and advocacy tools for these initiatives. You can also advocate for school policies banning artificial additives in cafeterias, led by groups like Healthy Schools Network.
     

  3. Empower families and youth with education: Opt for low-mercury fish like wild caught salmon over tuna, use glass and steel instead of plastics to curb EDCs, and buy organic produce to avoid pesticides and herbicides. Washing produce and avoiding artificial additives lowers health risks further. Organizations like Environmental Working Group offer consumer guides and educational tools to make these decisions easier.
     

  4. Support youth advocacy: Youth-led programs like Earth Guardians and Fridays for Future engage young activists and amplify their voices in healthy environmental policy change.
     

  5. Regular health screenings: Speak with your pediatrician and naturopathic doctor about possible sources of exposure and correlated symptoms, so that health complications can be prevented or addressed as needed.

Work with a naturopathic doctor / naturopath to help you assess for environmental pollutants and to understand how they may be affecting your health. The information on this website is a guide for ways to protect you and your family from environmental pollutants.  It is not meant to replace advice from a healthcare professional.

3 Essentials

  1. Advocate for access to clean resources: Support global efforts like UNICEF’s Healthy Environments for Healthy Children program, to secure safe drinking water, clean air, and toxin-free food for children. Groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council pressure governments to prioritize the health of our youth over industrial interests, while the UN Environment Programme addresses environmental health inequities - particularly in low-income regions facing heightened toxin risks.
     

  2. Education and Awareness: Knowledge empowers families to avoid unwanted toxin exposure. Organizations like the Environmental Working Group offer consumer guides to help families make informed and healthy decisions.
     

  3. Proactive Healthcare: Naturopathic doctors specialize in environmental health, offering expertise to assess toxin exposure, identify symptoms, and provide holistic treatment plans. Regular screenings ensure early detection and intervention.

Additional Key Recommendations

  1. Limit household toxin exposure: Choose non-toxic personal care and cleaning products, replace plastic containers with glass or stainless steel, and avoid microwaving food in plastic. These steps reduce daily exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates and BPA, which are linked to early puberty and obesity in children.
     

  2. Reduce dietary intake of contaminants: Choose wild-caught, low-mercury fish like salmon rather than tuna, wash produce thoroughly, choose organic when possible, and avoid processed foods containing artificial colors, preservatives, and MSG — all of which have been linked to neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.
     

  3. Improve indoor air quality: Use HEPA filters, ventilate cooking areas, and avoid indoor smoking or use of woodfire stoves without proper ventilation. These measures reduce children's exposure to indoor PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide, which are associated with asthma and reduced respiratory function.
     

  4. Test and treat environmental risks in the home: Use EPA-recommended water testing kits to check for lead and arsenic contamination, especially in older homes or areas with well water. Early identification and mitigation prevent neurodevelopmental delays and cognitive impairments linked to heavy metal exposure.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Children’s Environmental Health. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/children-environmental-health#tab=tab_2

  2. Röllin HB. Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Other Stressors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(14):8816. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19148816

  3. Carroquino MJ, Posada M, Landrigan PJ. Environmental Toxicology: Children at Risk. Environmental Toxicology. 2012:239–91. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5764-0_11

  4. Heng YY, et al. Heavy Metals and Neurodevelopment of Children in Low and Middle-Income Countries. PLoS One. 2022;17(3):e0265536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265536

  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protect Your Family from Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil. Updated March 30, 2023. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/prevention/paint.html

  6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ToxFAQs for Lead. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated August 2007. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts13.pdf

  7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water

  8. Heng YY, et al. Heavy Metals and Neurodevelopment of Children in Low and Middle-Income Countries. PLoS One. 2022;17(3):e0265536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265536

  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Advice about Eating Fish. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish

  10. World Health Organization (WHO). Mercury and Health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mercury-and-health

  11. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Clinician Brief: Arsenic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated December 16, 2024. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/environmental-medicine/hcp/clinicianbriefarsenic/

  12. US Food and Drug Administration. Arsenic in Rice and Rice Products Risk Assessment. Updated August 8, 2022. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/food/risk-and-safety-assessments-food/arsenic-rice-and-rice-products-risk-assessment

  13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution

  14. World Health Organization (WHO). Ambient (Outdoor) Air Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health

  15. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Division; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers. NIOSH Publication No. 91-114. Published December 1991. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB91114

  16. Johnson NM, et al. Air Pollution and Children’s Health. Environ Health Prev Med. 2021;26(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s12199-021-00995-5

  17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/no2-pollution

  18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/air

  19. Miller MD, Marty MA, Landrigan PJ. Children’s Environmental Health: Beyond National Boundaries. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016;63(1):149-65. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.08.008

  20. Pascale A, Laborde A. Impact of Pesticide Exposure in Childhood. Rev Environ Health. 2020;35(3):221-227. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0011

  21. Predieri B, et al. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals’ Effects in Children. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11899. doi: 10.3390/ijms231911899

  22. Sripada K, et al. A Children’s Health Perspective on Nano- and Microplastics. Environ Health Perspect. 2022;130(1):15001. doi: 10.1289/EHP9086

  23. Grigg J. Environmental Toxins; Their Impact on Children’s Health. Arch Dis Child. 2004;89(3):244-50. doi: 10.1136/adc.2002.022202

  24. Braun JM, et al. Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Child Neurodevelopment. Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124(10):1475-1482. doi: 10.1289/EHP163

  25. Quansah R, et al. Early-Life Arsenic Exposure and Cognitive Function in Children. Environ Int. 2013;59:354-361. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.06.013

  26. Bobb JF, et al. Nitrogen Dioxide Exposure and Childhood Asthma. Environ Res. 2016;151:462-469. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.08.007

  27. Landrigan PJ, et al. Environmental Pollutants and Disease in Children. Lancet. 2016;388(10045):721-723. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31419-9

  28. Olympio KP, et al. Lead Exposure in Children Living Near Battery Recycling Plants in Brazil. Environ Monit Assess. 2015;187(6):345. doi: 10.1007/s10661-015-4570-5

  29. Donaldson SG, et al. Environmental Contaminants and Human Health in the Canadian Arctic. Sci Total Environ. 2010;408(20):5165-5234. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.05.059

  30. Kumar R, et al. Air Pollution and Asthma in Adolescents in Delhi. Indian J Pediatr. 2019;86(5):413-419. doi: 10.1007/s12098-018-2826-8

  31. Bouchard MF, et al. Prenatal Exposure to Organophosphate Pesticides and IQ in 7-Year-Old Children. Environ Health Perspect. 2011;119(8):1189-1195. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1003185

  32. Barraza-Villarreal A, et al. Ozone Exposure and Lung Function in Mexican Children. Environ Health Perspect. 2012;120(9):1349-1354. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1104466

  33. Zhang J, et al. Prenatal BPA Exposure and Childhood Obesity in China. Environ Res. 2018;163:15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.036

  34. Grandjean P, et al. PFAS Exposure and Immune Response in Children. Environ Health Perspect. 2014;122(11):1189-1195. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1307948

  35. Montanari C, et al. Microplastics in Children’s Stool Samples in Italy. Environ Pollut. 2021;285:117469. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117469

  36. McConnell R, et al. Artificial Food Colors and ADHD Symptoms. Lancet. 2007;370(9598):1560-1567. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3

  37. Bornman R, et al. DDT and Child Health in Limpopo, South Africa. Environ Health. 2012;11:27. doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-11-27

  38. Fewtrell LJ, et al. Lead Exposure Reduction and Child Health Outcomes. Environ Int. 2009;35(6):974-981. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.03.006

  39. Gauderman WJ, et al. Association of Improved Air Quality with Lung Development in Children. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(10):905-913. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1414123

  40. Landrigan PJ, et al. Environmental Pollutants and Disease in Children. Lancet. 2016;388(10045):721-723. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31419-9

  41. Fewtrell LJ, et al. Lead Exposure Reduction and Child Health Outcomes. Environ Int. 2009;35(6):974-981. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.03.006

  42. Gauderman WJ, et al. Association of Improved Air Quality with Lung Development in Children. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(10):905-913. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1414123

Committee Members

Dr. Moira Fitzpatrick, ND (USA), Chair

Dr. Iva Lloyd, ND (Canada)

Merciful Ananda (USA)

Dr. David Lescheid, ND (Germany)

Pedi Mirdamadi (USA)
Charity Thiessen (Canada)
Dr. Dwan Vilcins, Environmental Epidemiologist & Naturopath (Australia)

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