This book gives you the latest information on how pollutants affect child development.  Pollutants impact children's psychological development--their intellectual functioning, behavior, and emotional states. The final chapter entitled "Protect Your Family, Protect Our Planet," provides practical strategies for avoiding exposure to environmental contaminants. The book traces the debates around lead, mercury, noise, pesticides, radioactivity, and toxic wastes such as dioxins and PCBs---and provides an overview of the history of each pollutant, research findings, and the scientific and regulatory controversies surrounding it. This volume is of great interest to parents, educators, child health care experts, public health officials, regulators, as well as health and environmental advocates.

    But there’s more. The author explains how industry and environmental experts can use the same scientific evidence and still disagree about what pollutants are safe. This book shows environmental advocates how to think through controversies and risk assessments. After reading this book, advocates will be equipped to argue effectively for stronger environmental protections for our children.

About the author: Colleen F. Moore is Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin--Madison who has published her research in major scientific journals. As an active scientist studying child development, she teaches you how to think about the the effects of pollutants on children’s behavioral development.