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In Harm's Way Chemical Fact Sheet
 This chart shows the health effects and characteristics of exposures to the toxicants listed. Learning disabilities include dysfunctions in listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, or calculations. Only developmental, learning, or behavioral effects of toxicants, or physical impairments that lead to them, are listed.
H = Human studies, A = Animal studies
| Toxicant |
Health Effects/
Characteristics |
|
Metals
|
Cadmium
H, A |
- Learning disabilities
- Decreased IQ
- Motor dysfunction
- Hyperactivity
- Hypoactivity |
Lead
H, A |
- Learning disabilities
- IQ deficit
- Attention deficit
- Impulsivity
- Violence
- Hyperactivity
- Aggression |
Manganese
H, A |
- Brain damage
- Motor dysfunction
- Compulsive behavior
- Memory impairment
- Hyperactivity
- Learning disabilities
- Attention deficit |
Mercury
H, A |
- Visual impairment
- Learning disorders
- Attention deficit
- Motor dysfunction
- Memory impairment (minimal)
At higher levels:
- Smaller brain size
- Cellular distortions in brain
- Mental retardation |
|
Solvents
|
Ethanol (Alcohol)
H, A |
- Learning disabilities
- Attention deficits
- Memory impairment
- Behavioral disorders
- Eating and sleeping disorders
- Lower brain weight
- Craniofacial, limb, and cardiovascular abnormalities associated with various growth and developmental delays
- Mental retardation |
Styrene
A |
- Decreased activity
- Decreased avoidance behavior
In conjunction with dietary protein deficiency:
- Lower brain weight
- Hyperactivity |
Toluene
H, A |
- Learning disabilities
- Speech deficits
- Motor dysfunction
- Craniofacial abnormalities |
Trichloroethylene
A |
- Increased exploratory behavior
- Hyperactivity |
Xylene
A |
- Motor dysfunction
- Learning disabilities
- Memory impairment
- Decreased brain weight |
|
Pesticides
|
Organochlorines
DDT - A
Mixture - H |
- Hyperactivity
- Decreased stamina
- Decreased coordination
- Decreased memory
- Decreased ability to draw familiar objects |
Organophosphates (including DFP, chlorpyrifos [Dursban], diazinon)
A |
- Developmental delays
- Hyperactivity
- Behavioral disorders
- Motor dysfunction |
Pyrethroids (including bioallethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin)
A |
- Hyperactivity |
|
Others
|
Nicotine
H, A |
- Hyperactivity
- Learning disabilities
- Developmental delays in cognitive functions |
Dioxins
A |
- Learning disabilities |
PCBs
H, A |
- Learning disabilities
- Attention deficit
- Memory impairment
- Hyperactivity
- Psychomotor dysfunction |
Fluoride
H, A |
- Hyperactivity
- Decreased IQ (ecologic studies) |
Source: Chart information is synthesized from Chapter 6 of In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, May 2000. Please see this chapter for references to studies on these chemicals.
Please Note: The authors of the Chemical Fact Sheet do not authorize changes and are not responsible for the accuracy of material if changes have been made.
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