For some time now, we’ve been aware that environmental chemicals are one of the silent causes of ADHD. Many of these chemicals are neurotoxins – substances which act directly upon neurons and interfere with their functions – that linger in the environment for years. Symptoms of neurotoxin exposure include lack of concentration, personality changes, depression, and hyperactive behavior. In adults, exposure to these poisons can cause a range of health problems, from infertility to cancer. Children and babies, however, are uniquely affected by these chemicals due to their developing nervous systems and biological immaturity; they are unable to detoxify as efficiently as adults, and the rapid development of their brain processes makes the neurons more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals.  In other words, children are helpless against these toxins and are more likely to suffer from ADHD, autism, and other psychological disorders with prolonged exposure.

What most people don’t realize is that you don’t have to live near a polluted area to be exposed to these chemicals; neurotoxins lurk in the products you use daily and the food you eat.  Current research reveals four everyday chemicals linked to childhood ADHD. Find out what they are and what you can do to avoid them.

[More...]

We’ve known for decades that exposure to toxins is one of the leading causes of ADHD, but it’s always unsettling to receive news that confirms this discovery. A 2006 issue of The Lancet recognizes that industrial chemicals (e.g. methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, and arsenic) are one of the causes of neuro-developmental disorders, violent behavior, lowered IQ, short attention spans, and antisocial behavior.  In the same year, a study by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental health discovered that children who have high levels of a flame retardant called PBDEs in their umbilical cord blood scored lower on mental and physical development tests. More recently, a research study published in the journal Neurotoxicology in 2009 discovered a strong association between polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on floor paneling and the incidence of autism.

[More...]

It’s no big secret that exposure to lead, mercury, and other heavy metals increase the risk of ADHD and other neurological disorders.  For centuries, the accidental ingestion of these heavy metals has impaired nervous system development and function. Only in the late 20^th century did governments around the world prohibit the use of these products in the manufacture of water pipes and consumer goods. Today, researchers are starting to worry that fluoride, a common chemical compound found in toothpaste and drinking water, may have the same neurotoxic effects as heavy metals. Some evidence suggests that fluoride exposure may be the culprit behind the increased cases of ADHD in the 20^th century.

[More...]