The Impact of Pollution on Children’s Health: A Call for Global Accountability and Enforcement

Authors

  • Mykola M. Kharytonov Soil Science and Ecology Department, Dnipropetrovsk State Agrarian University, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
  • Anne P. Hernandez Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
  • Tetyana L. Vasylyeva Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Amarillo, Texas, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2013.02.01.10

Keywords:

Children, health, pollution, industry, environment, urban, economic stability

Abstract

Environmental pollution in large industrial centers has had a negative impact on the population’s health, specifically among children.

Our objective is to provide a systematic review of the literature, focusing on the impact of environmental pollutants from urban and metropolitan areas on pediatric health.

Disregard for the Earth’s atmosphere can negatively impact our fragile ecosystem and create a global toxicity. The impact of industrial growth and economic development has become paramount to modern society. Unfortunately, future generations will pay the consequences of the world’s failure to implement regulations to secure a safe environment for our children’s health and development.

Pollutants penetrate an organism through different routes and change physiological processes, which leads to a decrease in microbial resistance by weakening the child’s immune system. The major contaminants are: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, manganese, sulfur dioxide, airborne fine particles, and nitrogen dioxide. Xenobiotics negatively affect the morphological, functional, biochemical parameters, genetics, and epigenetics of the body. It is well documented that the physical development and psychological well-being of children is adversely affected by pollution. The accumulation of heavy metals and other contaminants adversely affected a child’s health has been found in the pediatric population.

An effort has been made to develop detoxicant remedies, in particular, some enterosorbents and natural adaptogens. Research is ongoing to improve medical rehabilitation of children, who already are affected. Public education and regulations regarding emerging non-pollutant industrial technologies is called for. A global system of accountability and enforcement regarding environmental protection needs to be implemented.

References

Zahm SH, Ward MH. Pesticides and childhood cancer. Environ Health Perspect 1998; 106: 893-908.

Wigle DT, Turner MC, Krewski D. A systematic review and meta-analysis of childhood leukemia and parental occupational pesticide exposure. Environ Health Prospect 2009; 117: 1505-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.0900582

Musmeci L, Bianchi F, Carere M, Cori L. [Environment and health in Gela (Sicily): present knowledge and prospects for future studies]. Epidemiol Prev 2009; 33: 7-12.

Wheeler AJ, Xu X, Kulka R, You H, Wallace L, Mallach G, et al. J Air Waste Manag Assoc 2011; 61: 142-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.3155/1047-3289.61.2.142

Pénard-Morand C, Raherison C, Charpin D, Kopferschmitt C, Lavaud F, Caillaud D, et al. Long-term exposure to close-proximity air pollution and asthma and allergies in urban children. Eur Respir J 2010; 36: 33-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1183/09031936.00116109

Zuurbier M, Lundqvist C, Salines G, Stansfeld S, Hanke W, Babisch W, et al. The environmental health of children: priorities in Europe. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2007; 20: 291-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10001-007-0022-4

Massolo L, Rehwagen M, Porta A, Ronco A, Herbarth O, Mueller A. Indoor-outdoor distribution and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere of industrial and urban areas. Environ Toxicol 2010; 25: 339-49. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tox.20504

Wichmann FA, Müller A, Busi LE, Cianni N, Massolo L, Schlink U, Porta A, et al. Increased asthma and respiratory symptoms in children exposed to petrochemical pollution. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009; 123: 632-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2008.09.052

Sun JH, Wang GL, Chai Y, Zhang G, Li J, Feng J, Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Henan Reach of the Yellow River, Middle China. Ecotoxicol Environm Safety 2009; 72: 1614-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.05.010

Szabová E, Zeljenková D, Nescáková E, Simko M, Turecký. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and occupational risk factor. Reproduct Toxicol 2008; 26: 74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2008.05.047

Masih A, Taneja A. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations and related carcinogenic potencies in soil at a semi-arid region of India. Chemosphere 2006; 65: 449-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.01.062

Jiang YF, Wang XT, Wang F, Jia Y, Wu MH, Sheng GY, et al. Levels, composition profiles and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban soil of Shanghai, China. Chemosphere 2009; 75: 1112-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.01.027

Agarwal T. Concentration level, pattern and toxic potential of PAHs in traffic soil of Delhi, India. J Hazard Mater 2009; 171: 894-900. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.06.081

Ping LF, Luo YM, Zhang HB, Li QB, Wu LH. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in thirty typical soil profiles in the Yangtze River Delta region, east China. Environ Pollution 2007; 147: 358-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2006.05.027

Tang XY, Tang L, Zhu YG, Xing BS, Duan J, Zheng MH. Assessment of the bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from Beijing using an in vitro test. Environ Pollution 2006; 140: 279-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.07.010

Jung KH, Yan B, Chillrud SN, Perera FP, Whyatt R, Camann D, et al. Assessment of benzo(a)pyrene-equivalent carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of residential indoor versus outdoor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposing young children in New York City. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2010; 7: 1889-900. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph7051889

Cao SP, Ni HG, Qin PH, Zeng H. Occurrence and human non-dietary exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from Shenzhen, China. J Environ Monit 2010; 12: 1445-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c000549e

Veyrand B, Sirot V, Durand S, Pollono C, Marchand P, Dervilly-Pinel G, et al. Human dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Results of the second French Total Diet Study. Environ Int 2013; 31: 11-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2012.12.011

Weiland K, Neidell M, Rauh V, Perera F. Cost of developmental delay from prenatal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2011; 22: 320-9.

Polańska K, Hanke W, Sobala W, Brzeźnicki S, Ligocka D. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and newborn biometric indicators. J Occup Med Environ Health 2010; 23: 339-46.

Chebotarev PA, Litovko NV. Preclinical health changes upon exposure to hydrocarbons of petroleum genesis. Gig Sanit 2009; 5: 84-6.

Obiri S, Cobbina SJ, Armah FA, Luginaah I. Assessment of cancer and noncancer health risks from exposure to PAHs in street dust in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2013; 48: 408-16.

Jung KH, Kim JK, Noh JH, Eun JW, Bae HJ, Kim MG, et al. Characteristic molecular signature for the early detection and prediction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rat liver. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2013; 48: 408-16.

Pavanello S, Pesatori AC, Dioni L, Hoxha M, Bollati V, Siwinska E, et al. Shorter telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Carcinogenesis 2010; 31: 216-21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/carcin/bgp278

Ahamed M, Verma S, Kumar A, Siddiqui MK. Blood lead levels in children of Lucknow, India. Environ Toxicol 2010; 25: 48-54.

Bao QS, Lu CY, Song H, Wand M, Ling W, Chen WQ et al. Behavioural development of school-aged children who live around a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong Province, China: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2009; 9: 217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-217

Banza CL, Nawrot TS, Haufroid V, Decrée S, DePutter T, Smolders E, et al. High human exposure to cobalt and other metals in Katanga, a mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Environ Res 2009; 109: 745-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2009.04.012

Munksgaard NC, Taylor MP, Mackay A. Recognising and responding to the obvious: the source of lead pollution at Mount Isa and the likely health impacts. Med J Aust 2010; 193: 131-2.

Fraser B. La Oroya's legacy of lead. Environ Sci Technol 2009; 43(15): 5555-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es901734g

Gulson M, Korsch M, Matisons C, Douglas, Gillam L, et al. Windblown lead carbonate as the main source of lead in blood of children from a seaside community: an example of local birds as “Canaries in the Mine”. Environ Health Perspect 2009; 117: 148-54.

National Research Council, Measuring lead exposure in infants, children and other sensitive populations. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C 1993; 337.

Moodie SM, Tsui EK, Silbergeld EK. Community-and family-level factors influence care-giver choice to screen blood lead levels of children in a mining community. Environ Res 2010; 110: 484-96.

Soto-Jiménez MF, Flegal AR. Childhood lead poisoning from the smelter in Torreón, México. Environ Res 2011; 111: 590-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2011.01.020

Ranft U, Delschen T, Machtolf M, Sugiri D, Wilhelm M. Lead concentration in the blood of children and its association with lead in soil and ambient air--trends between 1983 and 2000 in Duisburg. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2008; 71: 710-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15287390801985117

Nriagu J, Afeiche M, Linder A, Arowolo T, Ana G, Sridhar MK, et al. Lead poisoning associated with malaria in children of urban areas of Nigeria. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2008; 211: 591-605. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2008.05.001

Yang H, Huo X, Yekeen TA, Zheng Q, Zheng M, Xu X. Effects of lead and cadmium exposure from electronic waste on child physical growth. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2012; 18. [Epub ahead of print].

Friedman LS, Lukyanova OM, Kundiev YI, Shkiryak-Nizhnyk ZA, Chislovska NV, Mucha A, et al. Predictors of elevated blood lead levels among 3-year-old Ukrainian children: a nested case-control study. Environ Res 2005; 99: 235-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2004.12.006

Vasylyeva TL. Concentration of heavy metals in children with frequent incidence of bronchitis. Timely questions of medicine and biology. Dnipropetrovsk 1995; p. 56.

Baranowska-Bosiacka I, Gutowska I, Rybicka M, Nowacki P, Chlubek D. Neurotoxicity of lead. Hypothetical molecular mechanisms of synaptic function disorders. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2012; 46: 569-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/ninp.2012.31607

Ansari MA, Maayah ZH, Bakheet SA, El-Kadi AO, Korashy HM. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathway in cardiotoxicity of acute lead intoxication in vivo and in vitro rat model. Toxicology 2013; 5: [Epub ahead of print].

Pavanello S, Pesatori AC, Dioni L, Hoxha M, Bollati V, Siwinska E, et al. Shorter telomere length in peripheral blood lymphocytes of workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Toxicology 2013; 303C: 187-200.

Wu J, Edwards R, He XE, Liu Z, Kleinman M. Spatial analysis of bioavailable soil lead concentrations in Los Angeles, California. Environ Res 2010; 110: 309-17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2010.02.004

Cubillas-Tejeda AC, Torres-Nerio R, Díaz-Barriga Martínez F, Carrizales-Yáñez L, Coronado-Salas C, Nieto Caraveo LM, et al. Designing and application of a Risk Communication Program for children environmental health on a lead and arsenic contaminated location. Cien Saude Colet 2011; 16: 4115-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232011001100017

IPCS International Program on Chemical Safety. Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc017. htm#SubSectionNumber:1.1.2.

Duka YD, Ilchenko SI, Kharitonov MM, Vasylyeva TL. Impact of open manganese mines on the health of children dwelling in the surrounding area. Emerging Health Threats J 2011; 4: 7110-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ehtj.v4i0.7110

Harrison RM, Laxen DPH, Wilson SJ. Chemical association of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc in street dust and roadside soil. Environ Sci Tech 1981; 15: 1378-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es00093a013

Gibson MG, Farmer JG. Multi-step chemical extraction of heavy metals from urban soils. Environ Pollut 1986; 11: 117-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0143-148X(86)90039-X

Thornton I. Metal contamination of soils in urban areas. In: Bullock P, Gregory PJ, Eds. Soils in the Urban Environment, Blackwell 1991; pp. 47-75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781444310603.ch4

Niragu O, Pacyna JM. Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soils by trace meals. Nature 1988; 333: 134-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/333134a0

Nriagu JO. A silent epidemic of environmental metal poisoning. Environ Pollut 1988; 50: 139-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0269-7491(88)90189-3

Pacyna EG, Pacyna JM. Global emission of mercury from anthropogenic sources in 1995. Water Air Soil Pollut 2002; 137: 149-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1015502430561

Zheng N, Liu J, Wang Q, Liang Z. Health risk assessment of heavy metal exposure to street dust in the zinc smelting district, Northeast of China. Sci Total Environ 2010; 408: 726-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.075

Carreras HA, Wannaz ED, Pignata ML. Assessment of human health risk related to metals by the use of biomonitors in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Environ Pollut 2009; 157: 117-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2008.07.018

Trakhenberg IM, Kolesnikov VS, Lookovenko VP. Heavy metals in the environment. Minsk 1994; p. 283.

Vasylyeva TL, Duka YD, Ogorodny VV, Kharitonov N. Relation between trace elements concentration in soils and the health of humans in Ukraine. Fourth International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements 1997; 51-52.

Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Patlolla AK, Sutton DJ. Heavy metal toxicity and the environment. EXS 2012; 101: 133-64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_6

Sepúlveda MR, Wuytack F, Mata AM. High levels of Mn²⁺ inhibit secretory pathway Ca²⁺/Mn²⁺-ATPase (SPCA) activity and cause Golgi fragmentation in neurons and glia. J Neuroche 2012; 123: 824-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07888.x

Prozialeck WC, Edwards JR. Mechanisms of cadmium-induced proximal tubule injury: new insights with implications for biomonitoring and therapeutic interventions. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 343: 2-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/jpet.110.166769

Fan Y, Ovesen JL, Puga A. Long-term exposure to hexavalent chromium inhibits expression of tumor suppressor genes in cultured cells and in mice. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2012; 26: 188-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2012.04.009

Pan G, Zhang S, Feng Y, Takahashi K, Kagawa J, Yu L, et al. Air pollution and children's respiratory symptoms in six cities of Northern China. Respir Med 2010; 104: 1903-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2010.07.018

Chen R, Pan G, Kan H, Tan J, Song W, Wu Z, et al. Ambient air pollution and daily mortality in Anshan, China: a time-stratified case-crossover analysis. Sci Total Environ 2010; 15; 408: 6086-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.09.018

Coneus K, Spiess CK. Pollution exposure and child health: evidence for infants and toddlers in Germany. J Health Econ 2012; 31: 180-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2011.09.006

Moon JS, Kim YS, Kim JH, Son BS, Kim DS, Yang W. Respiratory health effects among schoolchildren and their relationship to air pollutants in Korea. Int J Environ Health Res 2009; 19: 31-48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09603120802272201

Vasylyeva T, Duka K, Kharitonov N. Alleviation of toxic impact of chemical agents on human organism. In: Medical Treatment of Intoxications and Decontamination of Chemical Agents in the Area of Terrorist Attack, Subseries: NATO Security through Science Series. A Chem Biol 2006; 15: Chapter 23.

Antypkin IH, Velychko MI, Arabs'ka LP, Barteniev SH, Pavlovs'kyĭ VS, Dardyns'ka IV. Diagnostics of broncho-obstructive states in children with wheezing syndrome and who live in ecologically non-friendly regions. Lik Sprava 2008; 7-8: 51-6.

Sitalo SG, Paran'ko NM. Influence of ambient air pollution on children's health in Krivoĭ Rog. Gig Sanit 2009; 3: 22-5.

Mudryĭ IV. Influence of chemical soil pollution on the population's health. Gig Sanit 2008; 4: 32-7.

ScienceDaily. Available from:http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2008/04/080415185019.htm

White N, Water Naude J, van der Walt A, Ravenscroft G, Roberts W, Ehrlich R. Meteorologically estimated exposure but not distance predicts asthma symptoms in schoolchildren in the environs of a petrochemical refinery: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2009; 25: 8-45.

Ma J, Kannan K, Cheng J, Horii Y, Wu Q, Wang W. Concentrations, profiles, and estimated human exposures for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans from electronic waste recycling facilities and a chemical industrial complex in Eastern China. Environ Sci Technol 2008; 42: 8252-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/es8017573

Wright RJ, Brunst KJ. Programming of respiratory health in childhood: influence of outdoor air pollution. Curr Opin Pediatr 2013; 15: [Epub ahead of print].

Rager JE, Lichtveld K, Ebersviller S, Smeester L, Jaspers I, Sexton KG, et al. A toxicogenomic comparison of primary and photochemically altered air pollutant mixtures. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119: 1583-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003323

Bermúdez-Millán A, Damio G, Cruz J, D'Angelo K, Segura-Pérez S, Hromi-Fiedler A, Pérez-Escamilla R. Stress and the social determinants of maternal health among Puerto Rican women: a CBPR approach. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2011; 22: 1315-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2011.0108

Byun H, Bae H, Kim D, Shin H, Yoon C. Effects of socioeconomic factors and human activities on children's PM(10) exposure in inner-city households in Korea. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2010; 83: 867-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0523-5

Hunter PR, Davies MA, Hill H, Whittaker M, Sufi F. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of respiratory disease and community belief about the severity of pollution from various sources. Int J Environ Health Res 2003; 13: 227-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0960312031000122389

Woodgate RL, Kreklewetz CM. Youth's narratives about family members smoking: parenting the parent- it's not fair! BMC Public Health 2012; 12: 965. [Epub ahead of print]. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-965

Schuck K, Otten R, Engels RC, Kleinjan M. The role of environmental smoking in smoking-related cognitions and susceptibility to smoking in never-smoking 9-12 year-old children. Addict Behav 2012; 37: 1400-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2012.06.019

Pérez-Pereira M, Tinajero C, Rodriguez MS, Peralbo M, Sabucedo JM. Academic effects of the Prestige oil spill disaster. Span J Psychol 2012; 15: 1055-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/rev_SJOP.2012.v15.n3.39396

Palinkas LA. A conceptual framework for understanding the mental health impacts of oil spills: lessons from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Psychiatry 2012; 75: 203-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/psyc.2012.75.3.203

Downloads

Published

2013-02-28

How to Cite

Kharytonov, M. M., Hernandez, A. P., & Vasylyeva, T. L. (2013). The Impact of Pollution on Children’s Health: A Call for Global Accountability and Enforcement. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 2(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2013.02.01.10

Issue

Section

General Articles