Recorded presentation

Elise Miller, MEd, Institute for Children's Environmental Health, 1646 Dow Road, Freeland, WA 98249, (360) 331-7904, emiller@iceh.org

Researchers are studying a wide range of environmental toxins that may lead to learning disabilities, possibly by disrupting childhood brain development or brain processes. Normal growth can be influenced by a wide variety of factors. Environmental events, such as toxin exposure, can significantly alter outcome. Early development as well as later cognitive and behavioral development can be affected. Negative effects on brain development include: PCBs and other dioxins; lead, mercury, solvents and brominated flame retardants; prenatal factors; gene-environment interactions; thyroid problems; and alcohol and cigarettes.This session will explore the science linking exposure to toxins and other environmental factors to the prevalence of learning and developmental disabilities and what learning and developmental disabilities organizations, along with environmental healt groups, are doing to address these concerns.

Learning Objectives:

• Define several environmental exposures that may have links to learning disabilities.
• Generate a set of policy and/or research recommendations for continuing the work to link environmental exposures to learning disabilities
• Understand the public health importance of linking chroinc illness to environmental exposure

Keywords: Environmental Health, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation