Environment 'stunts young brains'
  By Alex Kirby 
  "The Future For Our Children" - report

  The full report is to be published at the Budapest conference.

  Europe

  The findings suggest lead is the single most important damaging
  chemical for children. In 2001 the estimated percentage of
  European children in urban areas with elevated blood levels
  (above 10 mg per decilitre) ranged from 0.1% to 30.2%. 

  Developing countries

  Globally, the WHO says, 15 to 18 million children in developing
  countries suffer permanent brain damage from lead poisoning.

  World

  Other threats to children's health include methylmercury, dioxins,
  furans, PCBs, pesticides, nitrites and nitrates, and benzene. 

  Dr Roberto Bertollini of WHO [World Health organization] said:
  "For too long, policy-makers have retrospectively pleaded;
  'If only we had known earlier what we know now.' 

  "I believe that what we do know now must guide us in our
  review and approval processes, and should become the basis of
  a bold new precautionary approach that puts the burden of
  evidence on safety first."

  'Vested interests'

  The WHO [World Health organization] says "the vested interests
  of industry and free trade" have worked against this approach
  so far. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3568939.stm
Last Updated: Thursday, 25 March, 2004, 17:01 GMT  

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