Phthalates and Toxins Dangerous in Baby Products
66This month's edition of the journal Pediatrics reports that infants are exposed to reproductive toxins in commonly used products such as shampoo, lotions and baby powder.
These toxins are called phthalates and they have been known to cause reproductive deformaties. Unhappily, these toxins are so common that every baby tested was positive for phthalates in their urine, and 80% had seven or more different kinds of this chemical.
According to Wikipedia, phthalates are polymers that are used to make plastics softer. Lotions, shampoos, shower gels, you name it, it's got it.
While this research is not definitive, it is enough for me to spring into action about protecting my children. Here's what I found about:
Protecting Our Children from Toxins
- In general, avoid shampoos and skin care products with additives and perfumes. These often contain phthalates as well.
- Consider organic lotions and shampoos. Many now are labeled "phthalate free." Organic lotions don't use toxins to make their products softer, they use natural materials.
- Don't microwave water or milk in a plastic bottle. Microwaving breaks down plastic on the micro level.
- Don't sterilize plastic baby bottles or toys in the dishwasher. Consider other cleaning techniques like a little bit of iodine or warm water and anti-bacterial soaps.
- Pregnant women should avoid these products and habits too. One study links pregnancy toxicity levels to male genital deformation.
- Natural lotions like olive oil and coco butter will always be safe! And they make your baby smell good too.
Below are some authority links about the information I presented above. Don't take my word for it, follow up with your own research.
- Phthalates and Pregnancy
Recent study about toxins levels and reproductive defects - Source for Baby Product Toxicity
Good article that synthesizes the most recent findings about baby products and toxins. - Health Risks of Phthalates
Wikipedia's take on this common toxin
CommentsLoading...
Hi Barbara6
Very interesting information. Phthalates are only one of the hazards that are in Baby products. When you look a little deeper you will find more nasty stuff that is even worse, like formaldehyde. Scientists think that formaldehyde has a link to leukemia. This is something that every mother should read:
http://children.webmd.com/news/20090312/report-tox
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/
There is more information in my first hub about blood testing
(Toxins in your personal care products and your cleaning products lower your immune system. Children are affected at a much higher rate then adults. Small amounts of toxins can affect their health 50X faster then an adult.
According to a 2005 Canadian Study on contaminants in Cord Blood, there are already 287 contaminants present in the average sample.
Most of us live in air-tight homes. When toxic chemicals release vapors into the air, they may have devastating effect on health. One 15 year Toronto Study found that women who worked at home had a 54% higher death rate from cancer then women who had jobs outside the home).
With all this news starting to get out, it makes a parent wonder how will my child survive to be a teenager, And if they are able to make it that far, how much permanent damage will be done to them.
Stacie Naczelnik 4 years ago
I was just discussing this topic with a friend the other day. Interesting info here. Thanks for the links.