Week 11: Children's Environmental Health

Question 1

Environmental threats as burden of disease

Answer 1

Make up to 1/3 global burden of disease
40% of this burden falls on children under 5 - about 10% of the worlds population
Most of these deaths are due to dangers present in the environment

Question 2

Biological differences in children

Answer 2

Immature developing organs and tissues are more vulnerable to harm from toxic exposures
Immature metabolic and physiological systems less effectively protect the children from toxic exposure and effects

Question 3

Children’s additional pathways to exposure

Answer 3

In utero, breast milk, toys, clothing
Children breathe more air and consume more food/water in proportion to their weight
More often involuntarily exposed and unable to avoid exposures on their own

Question 4

Three children’s health issues

Answer 4

Increased toxicity of the environment
Climate change
Nature interaction deficit

Question 5

Increasing toxicity of the environment

Answer 5

70-100 thou chemicals registered, little is known about toxicity of 75% of these
Children are at risk, esp. during embryonic, fetal, early and puberty development
30% of burden of disease in children is due to chemical exposures and injuries

Question 6

Pesticides

Answer 6

Food, lawns

Question 7

Climate change

Answer 7

Result of excess concentrations of greenhouse gases introduced in the atmosphere
Positive feedback loop between biodiversity loss and climate change
Driven by fossil fuel combustion and land use change

Question 8

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution

Answer 8

80% of alveoli form postnatally
Higher minute ventilation and breathing height
More physical activity
More time outdoors

Question 9

Children’s challenges with extreme heat

Answer 9

Less able to regulate body temperature
Infants completely reliant on adults to keep safe
Less able to recognize signs of heat stress
As well, air quality is usually worse during heat waves

Question 10

Environmental generational amnesia

Answer 10

Shifting baseline syndrome

With each generation, the belief of what is pristine nature is progressively degraded

Question 11

Children’s lack of of outdoor experience associated with:

Answer 11

Reduction in cognitive performance
Reduction in physical activity
Reduction in willingness to protect biodiversity
Reduction in ability to deal with stress

Question 12

Benefits of exposure to nature

Answer 12

Diversity in play, creativity, language development, collaboration
Stimulation of social interaction and empathy
Development of affinity for nature
Improvements in cognitive development
Advances in motor fitness and reduction in illness
Restorative functions (increased concentration) among children with ADHD