Why is CPCHE concerned about environmental threats to child health and development?
• Children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental threats due to differences in size, behaviour (e.g., crawling, mouthing objects, active play), and their proportionally higher intake of air, water and food, and because their organs and detoxification systems are not fully developed (see pp. 6-7 of First Steps in Lifelong Health). • Some childhood disorders are on the rise, including asthma, learning and behavioural disorders and obesity (see pp. 8-9). Environmental exposures are one of a number of contributing factors associated with these health outcomes. Certain cancers are on the rise among young adults, raising concerns about early-life exposure to carcinogens. • While some positive steps are being taken by governments, more needs to be done to reduce fetal and childhood exposures to potentially harmful chemicals in homes, schools and community environments, and via consumer products. Why is CPCHE calling for urgent federal government action on toxic chemicals in consume
