Blackfeet Human Development and Climate Change Handout

Climate change may increase risks of birth defects and early childhood exposure to substances that can impact development. Exposure to chemicals and heavy metals (for example, lead, mercury, and arsenic), whether through air, water, or food contamination, have been shown to impact human development at varying levels. Exposure to herbicides and pesticides can increase the risk of developmental changes, which is of particular concern since climate change is expected to increase weeds and pests. With harmful algal blooms expected to increase, pregnant women could have a greater risk of exposing a developing human to biotoxins.