Representing 1 in 6 children in the United States, Latino children incur disproportionate exposures to air pollutants, pesticides, and toxic industrial chemicals, as well as lead and mercury from candy, traditional folk remedies, religious practices, and other sources. Latino children also have higher rates of asthma, lead and mercury poisoning, behavioral and developmental disorders, and certain cancers. Concurrent exposure to multiple pollutants, pre-existing disease, poor nutrition, substandard housing, limited access to health care, and other factors related to their lower socioeconomic status increase Latino children’s susceptibility to environmental contaminants. Targeted research, education, prevention and intervention efforts, and economic development initiatives are needed.
Federal data systems define the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” as persons who trace their origin or descent to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America, or other Spanish cultures. These terms are used interchangeably in this article.
Funding provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (K07 HL079255), the University of Maryland’s Other Tobacco Related Disease Grant (Maryland cigarette restitution funds), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Grant No. 37533).
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