Many chemicals widely used by industry and commonly found at home are toxic to the developing brain and can cause developmental disabilities including behavioral and learning disabilities, hyperactivity, attention deficit, lower IQ and motor skill impairment.

Key findings of In Harm's Way include:

  • An epidemic of developmental, learning and behavioral disabilities has become evident among children.
  • Animal and human studies demonstrate that many chemicals commonly encountered in industry and the home are developmental neurotoxicants that can contribute to developmental, learning, and behavioral disabilities.
  • Recent research has produced a glut of information not readily understood by non-specialists.
  • Genetic factors are important, but particular vulnerability to toxic chemicals may be the result of single or multiple interacting genes.
  • Neurotoxicants are not merely a potential threat to children.
  • Vast quantities of neurotoxic chemicals are released into the environment each year.
  • As scientific knowledge advances the "safe thresholds" for known neurotoxicants have continuously been revised down.
  • Protecting our children requires a precautionary policy that can only occur with basic changes in the regulatory process.