If we could sum up what we want for our kids in two words, ‘happy’ and ‘healthy’ would probably be the winners. Raising children who are happy and healthy as they grow and when they become adults is no small feat! However, it is becoming more and more obvious that many chemicals we use every single day can thwart those goals. Check out the latest study on the effects of phthalates, phenols and phytoestrogens on little girls.
It’s been known for some time that phthalates – used to soften PVC/vinyl so it can be used as a waterproof covering on crib mattresses – can affect hormonal development in little boys. In some cases, it affects their behavior, and the physical damage can be so severe it can even cause structural changes. This information was pivotal in the recent banning of three types of phthalates in some children’s products. Others phthalates are still under investigation.
The new study shows that little boys aren’t the only victims – little girls are at risk, too.
The study, conducted at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, tested 1,151 girls, aged 6 through 8 at the time the study started, from New York, greater Cincinnati and northern California. The content of phthalates, phenols, and phytoestrogens was measured in the girls’ urine.
One year later, they measured the chemical content again, and checked for signs of early puberty – breast development and pubic hair. By then the girls were 7 to 9 years old and, yes, they were developing breasts and pubic hair! The more of the chemicals they had in their body, the more likely they were to be maturing prematurely.
This developmental problem can also lead to health problems in later life – increased risk of breast cancer, for example.
How can you help your children avoid these problems? To start with, Moms, and potential Moms, should be aware that chemicals in their body can pass to their children while still in the womb. Moms, and Moms to be, should study up on these chemicals and use products that don’t contain them. If Mom’s body is free of these chemicals, she won’t be passing them on to her children.
To help you get a good start on that process, be aware that all three chemicals are found in lotions, shampoos, cosmetics, nail polishes and many other consumer products – especially if they contain added fragrance. Perfumes are definitely out. Check into organic essential oils as an alternative.
Next, get a Naturepedic baby crib mattress – no phthalates, phenols, or phytoestrogens. And no other harmful chemicals like those found in fire retardants.
Additionally, always check for dangerous chemicals in everything that goes in or on your baby. Use natural soaps, lotions and shampoos exclusively. And watch out for the toys they play with – especially those made of PVC/vinyl (like rubber duckies); they usually contain phthalates to make them soft. If you have questions about personal care products, check the Environmental Working Group’s Cosmetics Database. You can also check the book Home Safe Home for a wealth of information on healthy alternatives for just about everything. It’s so hard to find this kind of information all in one place – this book is packed with stuff!
To find out more about the study, see Exposure to Three Classes of Common Chemicals May Affect Female Development on the Mt. Sinai site.
Getting rid of harmful chemicals in your life is good for you, your children, and the environment. Have fun finding healthy alternatives!
Tags: added fragrance, baby crib mattresses, Cosmetics Database, crib mattresses, dangerous chemicals, early puberty, Environmental Working Group, Exposure to Three Classes of Common Chemicals May Affect Female Development, fire retardants, Home Safe Home, hormonal development, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Naturepedic, phenols, phthalates, phytoestrogen, PVC, vinyl, waterproof covering on crib mattresses
[...] we have covered in several other blog posts, check Phthalates Effect Hormonal Development in Little Girls and Increase Risk of Health Problems in Later… for more info on what they can do to little girls, phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means [...]