Using epidemiology and neurotoxicology to reduce risks to young workers

Abstract

Children around the world are working in hazardous or unsafe conditions and they are at risk to injury through manual labor and susceptible to poisoning due to chemical exposures in the work place. Because of their behavior and the developmental changes occurring throughout childhood and adolescence children are more vulnerable to injury. Often children work because of economic necessity, coming from families living in extreme poverty, with poor housing conditions, unsafe water supplies, poor sanitation, and inadequate food supplies making them even more vulnerable to poor developmental outcomes. This presents a multifaceted problem that can be challenging to address. Although many studies have examined occupational risks among adults very few studies have examined the impact of these risks on children. This paper reflects a summary of the talks from the symposium “Using Epidemiology and Neurotoxicology to Reduce Risks to Young Workers” presented at the 13th International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting and the 11th International Symposium on Neurobehavioral Methods and Effects in Occupational and Environmental Health in Xi’an China in June 2011. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that children are exposed to various neurotoxicants, show increased symptoms and health problems and are working in hazardous conditions with minimal safety restrictions. Other studies have identified neurotoxicology effects in children from occupational exposures. Prevention methods have potential for reducing risks to young workers short of eliminating child labor and should be addressed to multiple stakeholders, parents, employers and children.

Exposures Resulting in Safety and Health Concerns for Child Laborers in Less Developed Countries

“…Rohlman et al compared two LDCs, Egypt and Lebanon, to the US. Specifically, this paper summarized the main findings on chemical exposures and risks to young worker health reported and discussed at “Using Epidemiology and Neurotoxicology to Reduce Risks to Young Workers,” a session within the concurrent June, 2011, 13th International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting and 11th International Symposium on Neurobehavioral Methods and Effects in Occupational and Environmental Health, Xi'an, China [ 51 ].…”

Characterizing exposures and neurobehavioral performance in Egyptian adolescent pesticide applicators

“…Despite regulations protecting younger workers, agriculture is an industry where these regulations are often more lenient for young workers. In the United States, for example, children working in agriculture can work at younger ages, including work in hazardous jobs, and there are no restrictions on the number of hours children can work on farms owned or operated by their parents (Rohlman et al 2012). A survey of adolescent farmworkers from Mexico reported over 20 % mixing or applying pesticides (McCauley et al 2002).…”

“…A survey of adolescent farmworkers from Mexico reported over 20 % mixing or applying pesticides (McCauley et al 2002). Interventions targeting various stakeholders, including parents and employers, implementing integrated pest management approaches, and educating young workers are various ways to reduce exposure to pesticides (Rohlman et al 2012). Thus, there remains a critical need to investigate the relative susceptibility of children and adolescents to pesticides, since the developing brain may be uniquely sensitive to the neurotoxic effects of these agents.…”

Labor in early life, vulnerability for health in Brazilian schoolchildren: National Adolescent School-based Health Survey (PeNSE 2012)

“…The early exposure to labor can also be more damaging when associated to the exposure to toxic substances, heavy machinery, physical and emotional violence 13,14 . Studies pointed out to the association between labor among children and adolescents and musculoskeletal disorders 11,14 , behavioral issues, such as aggressiveness, anxiety and depression 15 , sleeping problems 10 , smoking 8,16 , and use of illicit drugs.…”