Pollutants/Toxics

Arsenic
(Southeast Pediatric Health Specialty Unit)

Arsenic is a dangerous poison that is widely found in the natural environment. This short article answers questions about arsenic exposure in easy-to-understand terms. Learn how your family can get exposed to arsenic, what the health effects are, how to tell if your family has been exposed to high levels of arsenic, and how to decrease your risk.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/arsenic.html

Dioxins
(Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit)

This family of chemicals includes Agent Orange. Dioxins vary in toxicity, but exposure to high levels is dangerous. You can be exposed through food, air, pesticides, soil, and in the workplace. Learn about exposure, health effects, testing, and how to limit your risk.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/dioxins.html

Endocrine Disruptors
(Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit)

Chemicals that affect the function of your body's glands and hormones, including the reproductive system, are called endocrine disruptors. Learn about the effects these various chemicals can have, how you or your family might be exposed to them, and what tests are available.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/disruptor.html

Lead
(Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit)

Why is lead dangerous to the health of children? This short article answers questions about lead exposure in easy-to-understand terms. Learn how children get exposed to lead, what the health effects are, how to test for lead levels, and how to decrease your child's risk.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/lead.html

Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Learn why lead is dangerous to our health, and especially to the health of young children. Read about where lead is found in and around our homes, where it is likely to be a danger, what to do if you live in or are renovating a home with lead-based paint, and how to protect your family. Select Education and Outreach for materials about healthy eating and lead poisoning prevention, a parent's guide to lead in the home, and more.

https://www.epa.gov/lead

Mercury
(Southeast Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit)

Why is mercury dangerous to the health of children? This short article answers questions about mercury exposure. Learn how children get exposed to mercury, what the health effects are, how to test for mercury levels, and how to decrease your family's risk.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/mercury.html

Mercury: Thermometers
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Mercury fever thermometers are a significant source of mercury to the environment, and if a broken mercury thermometer isn't cleaned up properly, the mercury can get into the air and pose a health risk in the user's home. There are several good, environmentally-friendly alternatives to mercury thermometers. Read the frequently asked questions to learn more about alternatives and how to safely clean up the mercury from a broken thermometer.

https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-thermometers

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
(Southeast Pediatric Environmental Specialty Unit)

PCBs were banned in the late 1970s, but because these chemicals stay in the environment for a very long time, they still pose a threat to health. Learn how you and your family might be exposed to PCBs, what the health effects are, how to test for exposure, and how to limit your risk.

http://www.pediatrics.emory.edu/centers/pehsu/concern/pcb.html

Last Modified: Tuesday May 13, 2014 10:19 AM