Children's environmental health risks: a state-of-the-art conference

More than 100 academic and private-sector researchers, government officials, politicians, and public health practitioners met to discuss issues regarding children's environmental health. Of special concern were the lack of toxicological data on many chemicals, the paucity of studies of children's exposure to these chemicals, and our limited understanding of pediatric toxicology. The increased incidence of childhood cancers and asthma were also of concern, as was our lack of understanding of how exposures to multiple environmental chemicals in low doses may influence child growth and development, disrupt endocrine function, and stimulate development of chronic diseases. An agenda for basic research, education and outreach, and policy and program development was created, with a goal of moving children's environmental health issues forward in a logical and thoughtful manner.