Learning from Sisyphus: time to rethink our current, ineffective strategy on neurodevelopmental environmental toxicants

Environ Health. 2020 Mar 11;19(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s12940-020-00587-w.

Abstract

Background: The overwhelming number of potentially toxic chemicals in consumer products and in our daily environment makes it unrealistic to carry out in-depth analyses of each product with the objective of banning and eliminating toxic chemicals from our environment.

Objectives: To present the challenges that environmental toxicology and epidemiology are currently facing in the context of ubiquitous chemical pollution.

Discussion: We propose a realistic and pragmatic approach to this Herculean problem.

Keywords: Environmental epidemiology; Knowledge transfer; Low dose exposures; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurotoxicity.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Hazardous Substances / toxicity
  • Humans
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / etiology*
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity*
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Toxicity Tests / methods*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Neurotoxins