High chemical levels in kids’ bodies

By mudlark • October 23rd, 2007

And this is precisely why we went all-natural. Some tests revealed remarkably high levels of PBDEs (flame retardants) and phthalates (plasticizers – softening agents to make plastic pliable) in a couple children tested with a ‘body burden’ test. It tests the level of industrial chemicals that have permeated the human body.

Tests like those have been done on adults for years, but this is the first report on a body burden test done on children. And the results are frightening. The children’s results were up to seven times the amount of chemicals found in their parents’ bodies. It makes sense – children breathe more air, drink more water, eat more food than adults do. Their little bodies process it faster.

With rising rates of childhood cancers, asthma, birth defects, and developmental disorders, and no clear reason why, test results like these are worrisome. PBDEs and phthalates have been linked to neurological and reproductive defects, obesity, and early puberty in lab animals. We’re not entirely clear on what they do to humans. You can read the full article here.

To protect your kids from phthalates, pay close attention to the type of plastics in use in your home. The PBDEs are a little tougher. They use them all over the place – in fabrics, upholstery, computers and TVs, and all sorts of plastics. You can learn more about them here, but unfortunately they don’t have any clues about how to stay away from them.