Children and Pollution: Why Scientists Disagree

How does pollution impact our daily quality of life? What are the effects of pollution on children's development? Why do industry and environmental experts disagree about what levels of pollutants are safe? In this clearly written book, Moore traces the debates around five key pollutants---lead, mercury, noise, pesticides, and dioxins and PCBs---and provides an overview of the history of each pollutant, basic research findings, and the scientific and regulatory controversies surrounding it. Moore focuses, in particular, on the impact of these pollutants on children's psychological development--their intellectual functioning, behavior, and emotional states, and provides practical strategies for avoiding exposure to environmental contaminants in a final chapter entitled "Protect Your Family, Protect Our Planet." Only by understanding the impact of pollution can we prevent future negative effects on quality of life and even pollution disasters from occurring. This volume will be of great interest to child health care experts, public health officials, regulators, health and environmental advocates, and parents.

Colleen Moore is Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.