Harmful Chemicals Found in Toddlers

A study involving multiple institutions across the US found that children aged 2 to 4 years are routinely exposed to a broad range of potentially harmful chemicals.

The children's urine was found to contain up to 96 different chemicals, many of which are linked to hormone and brain disruption.

The study of 200 toddlers found:

• 96 chemicals were detected in at least five children.
• 48 chemicals were found in over half of the children.
• 34 chemicals were detected in more than 90% of children

The lead author, Professor Deborah H. Bennett, said "Our study shows that childhood exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is widespread. This is alarming because we know early childhood is a critical window for brain and body development,"

"Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function."

The researchers looked for childhood exposure to common environmental chemicals, including:

• Phthalates and phthalate alternatives used in plastics like toys and food packaging, as well as personal care products and household items.
• Parabens commonly used in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos and pharmaceuticals.
• Bisphenols found in plastic containers, food can linings and thermal paper receipts.
• Benzophenones found in sunscreens, cosmetics and plastics.
• Pesticides used in agricultural and residential pest control.
• Organophosphate esters (OPEs) used as flame retardants in furniture and building materials and as plasticizers in food packaging.
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), byproducts of combustion found in vehicle exhaust, grilled foods and tobacco smoke.
• Bactericides found in antibacterial soaps and personal care products.

Children are exposed to these environmental chemicals through everyday activities, such as eating, drinking, breathing indoor and outdoor air, and touching contaminated surfaces.

Frequent hand-to-mouth contact, playing close to the ground, and higher intake rates relative to their smaller body weight make kids especially vulnerable to chemical exposure.

How to Limit Chemical Exposure

It is impossible to eliminate all chemical exposures. Yet, there are many simple steps parents can take to help reduce their children's contact with harmful chemicals.

1. Choose safer products: Look for "phthalate-free," "paraben-free" and "fragrance-free" labels.
2. Avoid plastics labeled #3, #6, and #7: These may contain BPA or similar chemicals.
3. Wash hands frequently, especially before eating.
4. Ventilate your home and use HEPA filters, when possible.
5. Limit pesticide exposure: wash produce thoroughly, and consider organic options.
6. Clean regularly: use a damp cloth to reduce dust that may contain chemical residues

For more information about the study, click here.

(As well as minimising exposure of babies and toddlers to these common chemicals, it is recommended that women who are considering having a baby look at conducting a chemical detox with our naturopath. This should be done before they try to conceive, to reduce the level of chemicals passed on to the baby during pregnancy. We do NOT recommend trying to do a detox by yourself, as without the correct natural products to neutralise the toxins and allow them to be easily eliminated, they can end up in other parts of the body and cause even more damage.)

For more information about the effect of chemicals on the body, you can

• Book in for a 15 minute consultation with our naturopath, or
• Book a free Comprehensive Assessment at our clinic

If you are interested in getting an indication of the level of toxins in your body, you can also complete our Comprehensive Toxicity Questionnaire.