Children and Superfund Sites: An Ecological Focus

Abstract

Children may be exposed to contaminants in their home, in child care facilities, and in their neighborhoods. Children are more sensitive than adults to environ- mental contaminants. Therefore, it is crucial to provide environments free of toxins and potentials for developmental risks. Superfund sites are one possible source of toxic influence. A half-mile radius around 10 Superfund sites in Michigan was selected, and demographic characteristics of the sites are described and compared with demographic characteristics of the surrounding metropolitan areas. In a majority of sites, the concentration of young children was higher than in the surrounding metropolitan areas. Also, in a majority, of sites, the percentage of poverty in the population was higher than in the surrounding metropolitan areas. Healthy development of children requires child friendly ecosystems. It is important to conceptually focus on risk-protective prevention so developmental problem from toxic environments can be prevented by eliminating or mitigating their effects.