Children first

Abstract

In May 1997, Canada signed an international declaration, pledging to give priority to children's environmental health issues. Signed at the Environment Leaders Summit of the G7 countries plus Russia, known as 'the Eight', the 1998 Declaration of the Environment Leaders of the Eight on Children's Environmental Health provides a framework for efforts to protect children's health from environmental risks. The agreement covered hazards posed by lead, drinking water, air pollution, second hand smoke, hormone disrupting chemicals and climate change. In addition, the leaders agreed to establish national policies that recognize the vulnerability of infants and children to environmental contaminants, and to promote research on this topic. Unfortunately, Canadian leaders have done little to live up to these commitments. Consequently, Canada is falling behind other countries such as the United States in creating protective policies for children.