As more people are aware of toxic chemicals that disturb the sun -to -day items -from skincare products to drinking water, they take steps to reduce their exposure. New research features that even skin and hair products intended for children contain harmful chemicals that can atone their health and development, according to a study in September 2024 published in Views on environmental health.
Researchers from George Mason University have collected medical data from 630 children aged 4 to 8 from 10 different locations across the US, to measure children's exposure to hormones that disturb phthalates and phthalate-repelacement compounds from personal care products.
They asked parents and carers for demographic information and a list of cosmetic products, including lotions, soaps, shampoos, oils, and sunscreen, applied to the child's skin for the past 24 hours before their examination. Then they collected urine samples from children.
They found that the use of such products-especially many products-were associated with higher levels of phthalates in children's urine-with the highest levels of phthalates and phthalate replacement in urine of non-Hispanic black children.
“This is the first study to suggest that the various skin care products used by children can vary in exposure to endocrine-disrupting phthalates and phthalate replacement for children,” Says Top with Set and Professor at the World and Community Health Department at George Mason University, Michael Bloom.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates and phthalate-replacement compounds are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they can interfere with body hormones. Some – especially diethyl hexyl phthalate, or dehp – are commonly used to make plastic in toys or packaging that are more flexible, while others – such as diethyl phthalate (DEP) – are used as perfumes in products such as lotions, shampoos, and conditioners.
Bloom noted that the levels of each type of phthalate found in the urine of children are different -depending on the integration of the products used. For example, children who have been reported to use lotions and oils have more of the phthalates associated with fragrance (DEP), while users of a combination of shampoo, conditioners, and other products have a higher level of phthalates used in plastic containers (dehp) in their urine. This means that not only are children exposed to phthalates used as ingredients in personal care products, but also chemicals from plastic packaging are moving to products, creating another degree of exposure.
“Looking at each product itself is not necessarily realistic, because you just don't use a product at the same time – you use multiple,” Bloom said Fate.
Should parents worry about phthalates?
While Bloom's study did not look at the effects of health directly, past studies have been linked to phthalates with neurodevelopmental problems such ADHDissues with Reproductive hormones and infertility– especially with men – and Metabolic disease. As such, Bloom advises parents to make a mistake on the side of caution and avoid products produced by phthalates, especially if children are particularly vulnerable to potential harmful effects.
That said, parents should know that phthalate exposure may not only be from personal care products – it can also come from other plastic containers, such as those used for food and drinks.
“We think it is asking for a careful procedure. Let's not wait for 20 years – stop now and find out if it's really a dangerous health effect and how to reduce it,” he said. “If the developmental damage is over, it may not be something that can be repaired retroactively.”
How to prevent phthalates in cosmetic products
Bloom said they are not sure which products are associated with higher levels of phthalates because the study does not review brands – but that is their next step. So far, Bloom said there are general guidelines that parents can use to limit their children's exposure to phthalates and phthalate-replacement:
- Avoid products that list phthalates as ingredients, such as diethyl phthalate.
- Avoid extra fragrances – companies can list “fragrance” as an outfit in their products, which can hide phthalates.
- Opt for products that come from non-plastic packaging such as aluminum, cardboard, glasses, or bioplastics derived from biodegradable ingredients.
- If you do not have access to full alternatives without phthalate, limit how often children use cosmetic products and how many products they use-noticing that the highest level of phthalates is from using a combination of products. Use them only as needed.
- Check Responding Databases as for safer products: Shinsafe, EWG's Skindeep Database, and Consumer Product Information Database.
Bloom points out that the differences of demographic in phthalate exposure put several groups in a greater disadvantage in reducing their exposure.
As such, Bloom acknowledges that most change to reduce childhood exposure to phthalates needs to be from policy changes.
“These changes need to be made to a policy level to eliminate the burden on the parent. Who has been juggling a lot, to determine if they want to use their consideration to be safe,” he said.
For more public health:
- This small business has tested common brands of toothpaste for toxic metals. Here's what it found
- After years of warnings, brown rice still contains this toxic metal. Why is there – and how bad it is
- Chewing gum pours out harmful microplastics in your saliva, learning is found
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
