Center for Children's Environmental Toxicology

FOR POISONING EMERGENCIES, CALL 1-800-222-1222 TO BE CONNECTED TO YOUR AREA POISON CONTROL CENTER.

The Center for Children's Environmental Toxicology at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital was developed in 2003 thanks to generous support from the Friends of Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. The mission of the center is to act as a resource to pediatricians statewide on matters of environmental toxins, such as radon, mercury and mold.

Environmental toxins pose a great number of hazards to humans. The risk of a particular toxin may vary according to multiple factors, and risk assessment must take into account, for example, the critical differences between children and adults. Developmental differences may make a child unusually sensitive to a toxin, while physiologic differences (proportionally greater consumption of air, water and food) may result in a higher dose. Furthermore, the typical child has more years of life ahead than the average adult, a fact that is important in cases of toxins with long latencies.

For more information

If you are a physician or primary care provider:
Contact Dr. Carl Baum or call him during business hours at (203) 641-TOXI to discuss the case before referring a patient for outpatient evaluation.

If you are a parent or guardian:
Please discuss your concerns with your physician or primary care provider and request that he or she contact the Center for Children's Environmental Toxicology to discuss the case.

Background information

In the late 1990's, the federal government recognized the importance of the differences between pediatric and adult toxicology cases and initiated a nationwide network of Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) funded through a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Limited funding previously precluded the formation of PEHSUs beyond the basic network, leaving the State of Connecticut without this service until the establishment of the center in 2003.

Faculty
Carl Baum, MD
Director, Center for Children's Environmental Toxicology
Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital
Director, Medical Toxicology
Yale University School of Medicine
Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Resources

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• World Health Organization: Children's environmental health

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Last revised:June 7, 2007 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.