The limited exposure indicated in this data presents no public health hazard. Children are at greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposure to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed for several reasons. First, children play outside more often than adults, increasing the likelihood that they will come into contact with chemicals in the environment. Because they are shorter than adults they breathe more dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground.
Children are also smaller, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight.
The developing body systems of children can sustain damage if toxic exposures occur during certain growth stages. An increase in childhood cancer incidence is not expected in children living nearby the site. The data reviewed identify increased ambient air beryllium levels for a total of 6 weeks in 1989 with an overall decrease since that time.