TY - JOUR

T1 - Children's exposure to environmental pollutants and biomarkers of genetic damage. I. Overview and critical issues

AU - Neri, Monica

AU - Bonassi, Stefano

AU - Knudsen, Lisbeth E

AU - Sram, Radìm J

AU - Holland, Nina

AU - Ugolini, Donatella

AU - Merlo, Domenico Franco

N1 - Keywords: Biological Markers; Child; Child Welfare; Chromosome Aberrations; DNA Damage; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Lymphocytes; Molecular Epidemiology; Risk Assessment; United States

PY - 2005

Y1 - 2005

N2 - In the last decade, molecular epidemiological studies have provided new perspectives on studying environmental risks in pediatric populations, based on the growing understanding that children may be more susceptible to toxicants than adults. Protecting children's health is a social priority, and specific research programs have been initiated with this purpose in the United States and Europe. These programs address the development of (i) less invasive methods for biological specimens collection, (ii) specific tools for interpretation and validation of biomarkers, (iii) methods for translating biomarker results into intervention strategies and for integrating them with environmental monitoring and health data, (iv) optimal ways to obtain consent and provide information to children and/or their parents participating in the studies and (v) techniques for the effective communication with policy makers and the public. Critical issues in children's environmental research discussed in this paper include specific needs of study design, exposure assessment, sample collection and ethics. Special consideration is given to the autonomy of the child in giving consent, the details and nature of the information provided, and the need to warrant controlled access to sensitive information. The use of incentives such as gifts and payment to ensure the participation of school-aged children is specifically discussed. Examples of field studies that are focused on the effects of pesticides, air pollution and formaldehyde are used to illustrate advantages and limitations of biomarker studies in children.

AB - In the last decade, molecular epidemiological studies have provided new perspectives on studying environmental risks in pediatric populations, based on the growing understanding that children may be more susceptible to toxicants than adults. Protecting children's health is a social priority, and specific research programs have been initiated with this purpose in the United States and Europe. These programs address the development of (i) less invasive methods for biological specimens collection, (ii) specific tools for interpretation and validation of biomarkers, (iii) methods for translating biomarker results into intervention strategies and for integrating them with environmental monitoring and health data, (iv) optimal ways to obtain consent and provide information to children and/or their parents participating in the studies and (v) techniques for the effective communication with policy makers and the public. Critical issues in children's environmental research discussed in this paper include specific needs of study design, exposure assessment, sample collection and ethics. Special consideration is given to the autonomy of the child in giving consent, the details and nature of the information provided, and the need to warrant controlled access to sensitive information. The use of incentives such as gifts and payment to ensure the participation of school-aged children is specifically discussed. Examples of field studies that are focused on the effects of pesticides, air pollution and formaldehyde are used to illustrate advantages and limitations of biomarker studies in children.

U2 - 10.1016/j.mrrev.2005.04.001

DO - 10.1016/j.mrrev.2005.04.001

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 16002329

VL - 612

SP - 1

EP - 13

JO - Mutation Research Letters

JF - Mutation Research Letters

SN - 0027-5107

IS - 1

ER -