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Abstract
Because the developing brain is highly susceptible to toxic injuries, the effects of early exposure to air pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have to be questioned. In addition to direct inhalation, food consumption appears to be the main source of intake for these pollutants in humans. Thus, a risk does exist for newborns and young infants through ingestion of contaminated milk from their mothers or commercial ruminant preparations at a moment of extreme vulnerability for the brain. The author reviews human and animal studies, which provide some evidence of the potent toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for the developing brain.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
On November 12, 2008, the International Conference “Health Aspects of Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution” was held in Luxembourg. Although clean air is considered to be a basic requirement of human health and well-being, air pollution continues to pose a significant threat to health worldwide. According to a World Health Organization assessment of the air pollution-related burden of disease, more than 2 million premature deaths each year can be attributed to the effects of urban outdoor and indoor air pollution. This article is one in a row of five reviews covering the main topics presented at this conference.