Children’s Health in Latin America: The Influence of Environmental Exposures

Abstract

BackgroundChronic diseases are increasing among children in Latin America.Objective and MethodsTo examine environmental risk factors for chronic disease in Latin American children and to develop a strategic initiative for control of these exposures, the World Health Organization (WHO) including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Collegium Ramazzini, and Latin American scientists reviewed regional and relevant global data.ResultsIndustrial development and urbanization are proceeding rapidly in Latin America, and environmental pollution has become widespread. Environmental threats to children’s health include traditional hazards such as indoor air pollution and drinking-water contamination; the newer hazards of urban air pollution; toxic chemicals such as lead, asbestos, mercury, arsenic, and pesticides; hazardous and electronic waste; and climate change. The mix of traditional and modern hazards varies greatly across and within countries reflecting industrialization, urbanization, and socioeconomic forces.ConclusionsTo control environmental threats to children’s health in Latin America, WHO, including PAHO, will focus on the most highly prevalent and serious hazards—indoor and outdoor air pollution, water pollution, and toxic chemicals. Strategies for controlling these hazards include developing tracking data on regional trends in children’s environmental health (CEH), building a network of Collaborating Centres, promoting biomedical research in CEH, building regional capacity, supporting development of evidence-based prevention policies, studying the economic costs of chronic diseases in children, and developing platforms for dialogue with relevant stakeholders.CitationLaborde A, Tomasina F, Bianchi F, Bruné MN, Buka I, Comba P, Corra L, Cori L, Duffert CM, Harari R, Iavarone I, McDiarmid MA, Gray KA, Sly PD, Soares A, Suk WA, Landrigan PJ. 2015. Children’s health in Latin America: the influence of environmental exposures. Environ Health Perspect 123:201–209; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408292

How can ecological urbanism promote human health?

“…However, this percentage could be significantly higher in the less-developed countries of LA (Laborde et al, 2015). More efficient biomass stoves (ideally attaining nearly complete combustion) have been a successful solution.…”

“…Due to its insulating, fire-resisting and sound-absorbing properties, asbestos was usually mixed with cement for building construction materials, particularly roofing products (Haynes, 2010). Asbestos is virtually banned in most developed countries (Laborde et al, 2015). In LA, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Honduras have also banned asbestos (Laborde et al, 2015).…”

“…Asbestos is virtually banned in most developed countries (Laborde et al, 2015). In LA, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Honduras have also banned asbestos (Laborde et al, 2015). In the other countries, if possible, architects and designers should avoid using building materials with asbestos and other noxious compounds (e.g., formaldehyde) in their composition to improve indoor air quality (Wang & Zhang, 2009).…”

Altered Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Schoolchildren Living in an Agricultural Community of Merida State, Venezuela

“…Over the last decades, several studies have dealt on the vulnerability of children to the toxic effects of pesticides because of developmental, dietary and physiological factors [1,2]. Prenatal or childhood exposure to organophosphate (OP) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides has been documented to induce neurotoxic effects, which may cause impairments in the child's neurobehavioral development [3][4][5][6].…”

Global health and environmental pollution

“…Chemical contamination in LMICs is increasing rapidly (Laborde et al 2015). Globalization of the chemical manufacturing industry, the recycling industry and other polluting industries is a powerful driver of this trend.…”