Step 2.3 Evaluating Exposures for Possible Health Effects

Children and Health Effects

Potential health effects for children are of particular concern to the health assessor because the exposure pathways and sensitivities may be different than for adults. The health assessor carefully evaluates how children might contact chemicals at a site and clearly provides information about children's exposures in all documents released through public health assessment activities.

Children are often more sensitive to the effects of chemical exposure than adults. Their play activities often result in longer lengths of exposure than adults. And exposure to some chemicals may have a permanent effect on their developing body systems. In many communities with chemical exposures, children are the most sensitive population for the health assessor to consider.