The incidence of the breathing disorder asthma has increased from 5.8 percent of American children in 1990 to 7.5 percent in 1995. The report shows that, while there have been improvements, formidable challenges exist in reducing risks from environmental factors.
Children are among the most vulnerable groups to environmental threats.
We especially are concerned about such issues as exposure to lead and pesticides and rising incidents of childhood asthma. This important report outlines the progress we have made by specifically targeting threats to children, and it underscores the challenges that still confront us. Children are more susceptible to threats from toxics and pollution than are adults for a wide variety of reasons and they require greater public health protection. The new study offers a basis for a better understanding of time trends for some of the key factors relevant to the environment and for further investigation of others. Finding ways to improve federal data will be a starting point of further deliberation.