Medical News Today  [Printer-friendly version]
November 11, 2006

A PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH TO PROTECT PREGNANT WOMEN FROM CHEMICALS

[Rachel's introduction: "A precautionary approach, which is now
beginning to be used in the EU, would mean that early indications of
a potential for a serious toxic effect, such as developmental
neurotoxicity, should lead to strict regulation, which could be
relaxed, should subsequent documentation show less harm than
anticipated".]

Exposure limits for chemicals should be set at values that recognise
the unique sensitivity of pregnant women and young children, and they
should aim to protect brain development, according to a Review this
week.

Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, attention deficit
disorder, and cerebral palsy are common, costly and can cause lifelong
disability. One in every six children has a developmental disability
and in most cases these disabilities affect the nervous system. The
two main obstacles to preventing neurodevelopmental disabilities
caused by chemicals are the great gaps in testing chemicals for
developmental neurotoxicity and the high level of proof required for
regulation.

A few industrial chemicals such as lead are recognised causes of
neurodevelopmental disorders. Exposure to these chemicals during early
fetal development can cause brain injury at doses much lower than
those affecting adults. Recognition of these risks has given rise to
evidence-based programmes of prevention, such as elimination of lead
additives in petrol. Although, these campaigns are highly successful,
most were initiated only after substantial delays, state Dr Philippe
Grandjean (Department of Environmental Medicine, University of
Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark) and Dr. Philip Landrigan
(Department of Community Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New
York, NY, USA).

In the EU, 100 000 chemicals were registered for commercial use in
1981 and in the USA 80 000 are registered. Of the chemicals most
commonly used in commerce, fewer than half have been subjected to even
token laboratory testing. The few substances proven to be toxic to
human neurodevelopment should therefore be viewed as the tip of a very
large iceberg.

Dr Grandjean concludes: "The vulnerability of the human nervous system
and its special susceptibility during early development suggest that
protection of the developing brain should be a paramount goal of
public health protection.

A precautionary approach, which is now beginning to be used in the EU,
would mean that early indications of a potential for a serious toxic
effect, such as developmental neurotoxicity, should lead to strict
regulation, which could be relaxed, should subsequent documentation
show less harm than anticipated".

###

Contact: Dr Philippe Grandjean, Department of Environmental Medicine,
University of Southern Denmark, Winslowparken 17, 5000 Odense C,
Denmark .