title: Environmental health and developmental disabilities: a life span approach.
abstract: Prenatal and childhood environmental exposures are an underrecognized primary cause of intellectual and other developmental disabilities. In addition, individuals with established disabilities are vulnerable to further harm from subsequent environmental exposures. In individuals with communicative impairment or limited ability to independently escape from hazards, these subsequent exposures, too, may occur undetected or untreated. This article introduces the subject of environmental health and developmental disabilities throughout the life span. In particular, we focus on ways that families, communities, and health professionals can prevent both primary and secondary disabilities through better awareness of common environmental health issues.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Ambulatory Research Network, Department of Family Medicine Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44111, USA. carl.tyler@fairviewhospital.org
authors.forename: Carl V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: White-Scott
authors.forename: Shirley M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ekvall
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abulafia
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000633:toxicity; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012574:Schools; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury