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Mental Health and Illness of Children and Adolescents pp 1–12Cite as

Toxins and Pollution

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Part of the book series: Mental Health and Illness Worldwide ((MHIW))

Abstract

This chapter describes the major hazards in the physical environment that alter the development of the brain and predispose to mental disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are often associated. Industrial pollution with heavy metals, exposure to insecticides and other chemicals, and early influences of tobacco, alcohol, and certain drugs have all been implicated. Some individuals are predisposed (e.g., by genetic constitution) to adverse reactions to substances in an ordinary diet, including artificial dyes and additives, and to recreational substances such as cannabis. Selective deficiencies of some micronutrients can also have harmful effects and are described here. Clinical implications are drawn out.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

    Eric Taylor

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  1. Eric Taylor
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Correspondence to Eric Taylor .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. King’s College London, London, UK

    Eric Taylor

  2. Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    F. C. Verhulst

  3. National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    John Wong

  4. Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan

    Keiko Yoshida

  5. King's College London, London, UK

    Anula Nikapota

Section Editor information

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK

    Eric Taylor

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© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Taylor, E. (2020). Toxins and Pollution. In: Taylor, E., Verhulst, F., Wong, J., Yoshida, K., Nikapota, A. (eds) Mental Health and Illness of Children and Adolescents. Mental Health and Illness Worldwide. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0753-8_29-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-0753-8_29-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-0753-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-0753-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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