Environmental health focuses on the relationships between human health and well-being and the influence of the physical, social, and societal environments. The physical
environment encompasses both natural and man-made, built environments. The latter has the greatest influence on human health in an urban society, especially
since we spend the vast majority of our time indoors, in homes, buildings, or cars. In industrialized countries, environmental health research has come to focus increasingly
on the impact of the physical, chemical, and biological contaminants that abound in the environment as a result of our consumer and industrial society. Exposures through
the food chain and from life-style choices can be both multiple and complex.
Within the context of the unprecedented environmental changes of the last half-century (i.e., reduction in atmospheric ozone and pervasiveness of toxic environmental
contaminants), our understanding of the environment–health interface has demonstrated that children have the greatest vulnerability to environmental hazards. We know
that children have greater risk of exposure and harm compared to adults. Immature developing organs and tissues are more vulnerable to harm from toxic exposures.
Immature metabolic and physiological systems less effectively protect children from toxic exposure and effects. Children have additional pathways of exposure that are not
applicable to adults, e.g., in utero, via breast milk, and via products such as toys, clothing.
There is a daunting array of environmental agents to which people are exposed through various means. Chemical and metal pollutants alone account for several tens of thousands of
substances that are in use annually, and pesticides are an important category of such contaminants. Prenatal alcohol exposure impacts neurological development.
Examples of biological agents that influence children’s health include molds, bacteria, and allergens such as dust mites. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
is a mixture of several toxic compounds and is the primary cause of poor indoor air quality and respiratory health problems in children.
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