Health Research Pollution, Toxic Chemicals and Mental Retardation AAMR promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual disabilities. In 2003 AAMR bought together a select group of national leaders in developmental disabilities and environmental health with a mutual concern for people with developmental disabilities and the effects that toxicants in the environment may cause, as well as the role that environmental toxicants play in contributing to intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities. Pollution, Toxic Chemicals, and Mental Retardation: A National Summit executive summary, (Adobe PDF, 133K) available on the AAMR Web site, reviews key issues and ideas presented, including the nature, source and effects of toxic chemicals on general health and the connection between toxic chemicals and intellectual disabilities. Visit the AAMR site for more on this topic, visit the AAMR site; its environmental health initiative is designed to promote good health and reduce disability by forging partnerships among the developmental disabilities networks and the environmental health communities. The goals of this collaboration are to: Raise awareness about the complex links between exposure to neurotoxic chemicals and developmental disabilities, and Raise awareness that those living with mental retardation* and related developmental disabilities may be at greater risk of secondary health effects from toxic exposures than individuals without disabilities.    < Return to Health Research Home page > * Note: In 2004, Special Olympics updated its official terminology from "mental retardation" to "intellectual disabilities" — previously the term mental retardation was used throughout the Special Olympics movement because of its specific meaning in clinical and academic settings. Other terminology — including cognitive delay, intellectual disabilities, intellectual handicaps, learning disability, mental disabilities and mental handicaps — is used around the world. Please see the Special Olympics Language Guide for more information.