The number of children with serious and often fatal diseases has increased significantly over the past 50 years, with scientists and researchers warning that the negative effects of pesticides and exposure to synthetic chemicals is fueling a growing health crisis.
Now, a coalition of 25 leading scientists and legal experts are calling for sweeping changes in chemical regulations. Their report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found dramatic increases in serious childhood illnesses—trends they attribute to widespread chemical exposures and the negative effects of pesticides.
“We think that there needs to be a fundamental restructuring of chemical law in this country to prioritize the protection of children’s health,” the experts said in their report. “And what that means in practical terms is that any new chemical that a manufacturer wants to bring to market has to be tested for toxicity before it’s brought to market and shown to not cause harm at the anticipated levels of exposure.”