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Children are in a dynamic state of growth, as many vital systems such as the nervous, immune, and respiratory systems are not fully developed at birth. Because children are still developing, exposure to environmental hazards may result in disruption of their normal development and may cause permanent damage.
Vulnerability: the fetus
It is established that the fetus is highly vulnerable to environmental exposures, like DES, tobacco smoke, lead. The fetus should be protected from environmental hazards including smoking by the pregnant mother. Even before conception the "fetus" is in danger: The relationship between pesticide residues in water, food or from handling pesticides in agricultural business has been considered to affect sperm quality.
ExposureUntil they are fully grown, children consume more food and fluids and breathe in more air, relative to their body size, than adults. Children spend more time closer to the ground than adults, and the hand-to mouth behavior of younger children increases their exposure to toxicants in dust and soil as well. Crowding, for example in day care institutions and schools increases the risk of indoor environment, for example transmission of infections, noise and bad indoor quality.
Dependency on adultsEspecially small children depend totally on adults creating a healthy environment and protecting them from environmental hazards. New Research findings, and concerns and questions from environmental groups, parents and consumer interest organizations have inspired new interest in the relations between environmental factors and child health.
INCHES will seek to provide facts and answers to organizations, schools, parents and local and regional authorities to questions about environmentally induced or triggered health effects to children.
Quality of lifeChildren have still got many years to live, so protection from environmental hazards early in life is cost effective with regards to saved years of life with potential good quality. Children are themselves active in environmental health protection: they are interested in environment and health matters, they are detectives and activists, agents of change. Children are complex and competent and, according to age and development, are full of capacity for tending their own health and environment.
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