Researchers studying the impact of toxins on children have reached the conclusion that little things matter. They’ve discovered that extremely low levels of toxins can impact brain development and that subtle shifts in the intellectual abilities of individual children have a big impact on the number of children in a population that are designated as challenged or gifted. In this new video: Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain, SFU professor, Bruce Panphear, contends that steps should be taken to reduce children's exposure to toxins or suspected toxins.

Adrienne Montani of First Call and Amanda Aufochs Gillespie, the Green Mama and a First Call volunteer, along with Erica Phipps from the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment, were advisors for the video. Watch the video (7:01 minutes).

See coverage on the Huffington Post and Global News. 

Recommended ways to avoid exposure to toxins:

1. Write a letter to your representative.
2. Require industry to test products before going to market.
3. Eat fresh or frozen food, choose organic if possible.
4. Avoid canned and processed foods.
5. If pregnant, eat fish with low levels of mercury.
6. Don’t use pesticides in and around your home.
7. Check your home for lead hazards.
8. Dust floors and surfaces to help reduce exposure.