How the Next Generation’s Brain Functions are Endangered by EDCs and Other Environmental Chemicals.
Dr. Philippe Grandjean suggests that new scientific insights reveal that the next generation’s brain functions are endangered by environmental chemicals. The fetus is not protected by the placenta and therefore shares the mother’s cumulated exposures to toxic chemicals. Infants and children are likewise exposed to a cocktail of foreign substances against which the body has no innate defense. Prenatal and early postnatal brain development is an extremely complex process that we now know is uniquely vulnerable. Lead, mercury and a few other substances have long been known to be toxic to brain development. Recent research suggests that many chemicals, perhaps thousands, may cause similar effects because they can gain access to the developing brain and exert their toxicity to brain cells. This new insight needs to be translated into public policy to protect the brain functions of the next generation. On this call Dr. Grandjean discussed what he terms “chemical brain drain” and how we might work to protect the brain health of future generations.
Sources:
- Dr. Philippe Grandjean on Chemical Brain Drain: How the Next Generation’s Brain Functions are Endangered by EDCs and Other Environmental Chemicals, healthandenvironment.org, Apr 16, 2014.
- Watch it on Full Screen or via SlideShare.
- Meet DES Daughter Network on SlideShare.
Additional resources of interest:
- Chemical Brain Drain – visit the website.
- Only One Chance: How Environmental Pollution Impairs Brain Development — and How to Protect the Brains of the Next Generation – read more about the book.
- CHE Cafe call (Dec 2013): Chemical Brain Drain: A Conversation with Philippe Grandjean.
- Neurobehaviroural effects of developmental toxicity, The Lancet Neurology, March 2014.
- Huffington Post: More Toxic Chemicals Damaging Children’s Brains, New Study Learns.
- Environmental Health News Opinion: ‘Chemical brain drain’ endangers generations of children.