A recently published article in Environmental Health Perspectives evaluated peer reviewed literature on normal lung development and the potential adverse impacts of environmental exposure. A synthesis of this material indicated that lung function in infancy predicts pulmonary function throughout life. In utero and early postnatal exposures influence both childhood and adult lung structure and function and may predispose a person to chronic obstructive lung disease and other disorders. The nutritional and internal chemical environment affects development of the lung resulting in altered function in the adult. Studies now suggest that similar adverse impacts may occur following exposure to environmentally relevant doses of certain xenobiotics (a chemical which is found in an organism but which is not normally produced or expected to be present in it) during critical windows in early life. To read the complete article, please click here.