Polluting Our Future:Chemical Pollution in the U.S. that AffectsChild Development and Learning

U.S. companies have to report the amount of chemicals that they use and disperse into the environment to the Environmental Protection Agency. In 1998 1.2 billion pounds of chemicals were released into the air and water. All of these chemicals can potentially affect the way a child’s brain or body develops. A staggering 53% of all toxic chemicals reported are known or suspected developmental or neurological toxins.
The states with the highest emissions of developmental or neurological toxins are Louisiana and Texas. The industry which accounts for the largest percentage of these toxins is the chemical manufacturing industry. The other industries that are major contributors are the U.S. Paper, metal, and plastic manufacturers. An industry of major concern is the printing industry. The printing industry is usually less industrial...