Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain

The impact of toxic chemicals on brain development is usually subtle for an individual child, but they can be substantial at the population level. Low-level exposures to toxic chemicals - such as lead, tobacco, pesticides and flame retardants - are implicated in the development of intellectual deficits, behavioral problems and preterm birth. Yet, too little has been done to protect children from these ubiquitous, but insidious toxins. This session will provide an overview of the population impact of toxic chemicals on children’s health to set the stage for dialogue about ways to articulate their impact and importance for brain development.