Environmental exposures in early life: Effects of air pollution, chemicals and climate change on human health and wellbeing

Poore, Kirsten, Pedersen, Marie and Ermler, Sibylle (2022) Environmental exposures in early life: Effects of air pollution, chemicals and climate change on human health and wellbeing. In, Poston, Lucilla, Godfrey, Keith, Gluckman, Peter and Hanson, Mark A. (eds.) Developmental Origin of Health and Disease. 2 ed. Cambridge, UK. Cambridge University Press, pp. 56-65. (doi:10.1017/9781009272254.008).

Abstract

The environment is responsible for one third of the global disease burden. The rapid and critically timed developmental period before birth and during early childhood is particularly sensitive to disruption by environmental factors, leading to both immediate and long-term effects. The scope of environmental hazards is extensive and exposure is widespread. This chapter will describe the effects of air pollution, chemicals and climate change. Air pollution is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and particularly affects respiratory health in children. Many chemicals are present in everyday life, and early life exposure is associated with a wide range of non-communicable diseases. Climate change will affect the basic requirements for health and increase exposure to air pollution, chemicals and trauma, bringing about greater health inequities. Investing in healthy environments in early life will give the next generation the best chance to reach their developmental potential and live a long and healthy life.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Author: Kirsten Poore

Download statistics