Adolescent health and the environment.

The effects of toxicants depend on the dose and the time in the life span when exposure occurs. The biology of adolescence is distinctive and provides opportunities for unique actions of toxicants both in terms of disruption of function and disruption of maturation. Maturation of a number of organ systems occurs during this period, including not only the reproductive system but also the respiratory, skeletal, immune, and central nervous systems. Adolescence is a time of increased risk for infectious disease and accidental injury, making the effects of toxicants on the immune and central nervous systems particularly harmful. Differences in blood volume, respiratory parameters, metabolic needs, and capacity all contribute to altered pharmacokinetics. Exposures can also change. Increased food intake associated with rapid adolescent growth alters exposure to food contaminants. Voluntary drug consumption increases, including drinking; smoking; substance abuse; and the use of over-the-counter, prescription, and performance-enhancing drugs. At the same time, adolescents are introduced to toxicants in the workplace. Basic research in the toxicology of adolescence needs to take into account the appropriateness of animal models for this distinctive human developmental stage; risk assessment must take into account pharmacokinetic and lifestyle factors. Screening methodologies that would identify toxic effects unique to adolescence would also be valuable.