Effects of Pollution on Human Growth and Development: An Introduction

Abstract

Pollution is a worldwide problem and its potential to influence the physiology of human populations is great. Studies of human growth and development in relation to pollution have increased in number and quality since the mid-twentieth century. Many studies have found that some pollutants have detrimental effects on human growth, particularly prenatal growth. The heavy metal, lead, is commonly found in human populations and is related to smaller size at birth and studies have reported decrements that range up to about 200 grams. Noise stress from transportation sources also is related to reduced prenatal growth with somewhat smaller decrements reported. Studies of humans exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls, one of the persistent organic pollutants, have reduced size at birth, advanced sexual maturation and altered hormone levels related to thyroid regulation. Thus different pollutants exert effects through different physiological pathways. However, some studies have not observed these effects, which indicates that the situation is complex and requires further study with better study designs. Determining the effects of pollutants on human physiology and growth is difficult as it requires fairly large numbers of subjects who are not purposely exposed but for whom exposure can be measured. These effects of pollutants and the mechanisms of effect require further study to understand and, it is hoped, to blunt or block any detrimental effects on human health and well-being.

Effect of Arsenic on the Onset of Menarcheal Age

“…Schell et al 2006). Naturally the question arises whether the onset of menarcheal age is affected by As exposure.…”

Growth and Life Course Health Development

“…Industrialization has introduced a number of environmental contaminants, including but not limited to air pollution, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that have observable effects on skeletal growth and body composition outcomes, particularly through gestational exposure (Schell et al 2006). Ambient air pollution is related to birth weight and IUGR (Sram et al 2005), as seen among Californian (Salam et al 2005) and rural Guatemalan cohorts (Thompson et al 2011).…”

Potentially Harmful Elements in Urban Soils

“…Louis et al (2012) found the Pb and Cd blood levels to be significantly associated with reduced couple fecundity, prolonging thus the conceiving time. It should be also highlighted that maternal exposure to PHEs, in particular to Pb, resulting in maternal blood levels >1 μL L À1 , can have severe negative effects on the developing fetus, impairing the cognitive and motor abilities of the child, or even inducing spontaneous abortion (Bellinger 2005;Schell et al 2006).…”