| | From Denise Maher, your About Women's Health Editor With Mother's Day this weekend, it doesn't seem right to lecture about the dangers of substance abuse during pregnancy, even if it is National Alcohol-and-Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week. Most of you appreciate those risks, I'm sure. But do you know about risks from industrial and environmental toxins? Instead of pressuring individuals to monitor personal health behaviors, let's consider the bigger public health and policy changes needed to protect children's health. | | Link Between Mercury, ADHD and Other Problems Heavy metals like mercury are especially dangerous to fetuses, infants, and children. Exposure via dietary fish may lead to impaired neurological development as well as impact memory, attention, language, and fine motor and visual spatial skills. Mercury, Fish and ADHD | Third Hand Smoke Toxic particulate matter that's left behind after a cigarette is extinguished is called third hand smoke. It can stay on hair, clothing and furniture. Even if they are not directly exposed to smoke, infants and small children are especially susceptible to these residual toxins because they can touch, crawl on, or put their mouth on surfaces contaminated by them. Third Hand Smoke Brings On First Rate Problems | Lead Poisoning: Who is at Risk? A heavy metal used for centuries in products and building materials, lead was banned from construction materials in the late 70s, yet it persists in the environment. Children are most commonly exposed via contaminated paint chips or soil. Long-term effects to young kids from even small exposures can lead to nervous system disorders, lowered IQ's, impaired memory, and shortened attention spans. Lead Poisoning Risk Factors | Time to Detox? With all these toxic chemicals around, do you need to consider a cleansing? Detox Basics | | | | Related Searches | | | | Featured Articles | | | | | | Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Women's Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com | | | | | | Follow us on: | | | | Advertisement | |