Children at Risk:
By Michael Buettner: Back to Environmental Articles Page

An illness that adversely impacts our health and takes American life on a daily basis continues to elude health authorities and escape detection.  In an effort to discover the source of this ailment, medical and environmental detectives are embarking on an odyssey of research designed to study the victims, which are mostly children.  The source is suspected to lurk in the water, air, or in dust.  However, it may not be a single illness, but a group of illnesses that are responsible for these deaths and disabling diseases.
Although infant mortality has decreased by over 80% and life expectancy has nearly doubled in the last two centuries, chronic diseases have increased and become the leading causes of childhood illness.  Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as learning disabilities, dyslexia, mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, and autism, have become highly prevalent and affect over 5% of the 4 million babies born in the United States each year.  In addition, in recent years the incidence of asthma and mortality have more than doubled, primary brain cancer has increased, and the prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled.
There is much that remains to be learned about the causes of these trends, evidence is accumulating that environmental factors make important contributions.  Data now indicates that fine airborne particulates have been shown to cause asthma and to trigger asthmatic attacks.  A National Academy of Sciences study suggests that over 25% of developmental disabilities in children are caused by environmental factors acting either alone or in concert with genetic susceptibility.
Until now, nearly all studies have examined relatively small populations of children and have typically considered a single toxicant at a time.  The current research methodology provides little statistical power to examine interactions among chemical, social, and behavioral factors in the environment.  To overcome these limitations, Congress has passed the Children’s Health Act of 2000.  Known as the National Children’s Study (NCS), this study will be the largest epidemiological study of children ever conducted with 100,000 children and their parents enrolled.  This investigation, which involves scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, is planned to span 21 years and follow children from the womb to adulthood.  The last four years have been spent planning this endeavor, which is expected to cost $2.7 billion dollars.  Now that planning is complete the next phase will be implementation. 
The mechanics of implementing this plan will involve researchers across the country who will be sampling air and soil, documenting lawns and outdoor plants, and filling vials with tap water.  In some parts of the country mothers will be asked to contribute samples of umbilical cords and their babies and toddlers will contribute bodily fluid samples as well.  By gathering informationvia detailed questions and samples, researchers will be able to better understand major diseases that afflict our children and how the environment may play a part. 

The first phase of implementation will include selecting eight sites.  Each site will then enroll 250 newborns a year for five years.  To emulate the diversity of American living, 96 locations will eventually be chosen; these selected locations are geographically spread across the United States and are demographically varied. The goal of this study is to include families from varied backgrounds and family structures enabling researchers to investigate issues of interest to all communities.  Variables for location selection included number of births, demographics, and number of babies born at a low birth weight.
Long-term health studies are instrumental to understanding the impact of the changes made to our indoor air over the last several decades.  An Epidemiological study will not lead us to one smoking gun that is endangering the lives of our children, but it will tie together the suspects that will enable us to develop a most wanted list, and eventually lead us to slowing the growth of asthma and autism.
These types of studies are crucial in the national recognition of the IAQ industry’s method of inspection and investigation, and demonstrate that the growing IAQ industry is a needed part of everyday life.  To learn more about this study please visit:
http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/about/mission/index.cfm

Mr. Buettner, a nationally recognized lecturer, trainer and consultant, has extensive microbial training and real estate experience; this combination lends a unique insight into the relationship between indoor environmental issues and real estate laws.  Mike can be reached directly at 800.283.9512 or via e-mail at mike@iaqus.com . 

Michael Buettner, CRMI, CIE, CIAQM
office: 800.283.9512
fax: 480.275.3237
email: Mike@IAQUS.com
website: www.IAQUS.com
All rights reserved ®, do not reprint without express permission from Michael Buettner

back to top