Alarming new scientific evidence shows that artificial colors found in thousands of foods may pose a risk of cancer, hyperactivity and allergic reactions.

The research, conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), calls for common food colors to be banned.  CSPI said the colors were contaminated with known carcinogens and shown to cause cancer in rats.

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When most people think of pollution, they think of the outdoors -- garbage-choked streams or industrial waste. But you probably spend a large portion of your time indoors -- as much as 80 to 90 percent of your life. You work, study, eat, drink and sleep in enclosed environments where air circulation may be restricted.

The typical American home contains 3-10 GALLONS of toxic materials -- everything from glass and bathroom cleaners to garden pesticides and fertilizers.

Health effects of ingredients in common household products include:

• Respiratory problems
• Eye irritation
• Cancer
• Disruption of the endocrine system

As a result of cleaners and other toxic household products, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the air inside the typical home is 2-5 times more polluted than the air immediately outside -- and in extreme cases, 100 times more contaminated.

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More than 85 percent of children's drinks contain so much lead they may exceed federal limits for young children.

Both organic and conventional juices were included in the lead-tainted products.  Of 146 products, 125 were contaminated with enough lead in a single serving to require a warning label under California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act.

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More and more girls are reaching puberty before the age of 10. The phenomenon could be linked to obesity or exposure to chemicals in the food chain.  It is putting girls at greater long-term risk of breast cancer.

A study has revealed that breast development now typically starts at an average age of 9 years and 10 months -- an entire year earlier than what a similar study found in 1991.

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Children in households with set bedtimes and children who get adequate sleep score higher on a range of developmental assessments.

Results indicate that a regular bedtime was the sleep habit which was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes at the age of 4. Children whose parents reported having rules about what time their child goes to bed had higher scores for receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, literacy and early math abilities.