Protecting Children from Chemical Exposure: Social Work and U.S. Social Welfare Policy

Evidence suggests that the combinations of over 70,000 to 75,000 chemicals in air, land, water, and food to which children are exposed daily are instrumental in increasing the rates and severity of preventable childhood illness from asthma, leukemia, and other diseases. This article defines chemical contamination and reviews data regarding the ubiquity of toxic chemicals in the United States. It describes major risk pathways to fetuses and children at different developmental stages and discusses evidence regarding exposure and harm to children from chemical contamination. The adequacy of national social welfare and environmental policies is assessed and policy-level interventions are recommended to address the unique vulnerability of children--especially children who are poor and children of color-to toxic chemicals. The authors review the roles for social workers in protecting current and future generations from environmental contaminants.