Part I, Toxicity and Your Child: What Every Parent Needs to Know about the Problem

Monday, October 11, 2010 by: Megan Rostollan
Tags: children, chemicals, health news

(NewsTarget) Our world is becoming an increasingly toxic environment. Our food, our drinking water, the air we breathe, and the clothes we wear are all sources of dangerous chemicals these days. Even our best attempts to lead a healthy lifestyle and consume plenty of fresh vegetables can be fraught with dangers. The Environmental Working Group reported recently that when you eat non-organic celery from your local grocer you may be consuming as many as 67 different pesticides (1). This unending onslaught of dangerous toxins is wreaking havoc with Americans health. We are all sick and tired, and sick and tired of being sick and tired! Most of us can barely keep up with the demands of work (whether that is at home or outside it) and family life. So what about our precious children? What kind of toxins are they being exposed to and how can we protect them from these chemicals that are endangering their health and that of their future children? The challenge can seem daunting at first, but with a little education and just a bit of extra effort we can radically change the outcome of the health of future generations!

The Problems

Our children have a lot stacked against them in the quest for good health. Studies have shown that babies are born with well over 200 different toxins already in their blood, including Bisphenol-A, a chemical leached out of plastics (2) that has been linked to reproductive problems, heart disease, and diabetes. As soon as they are born, most of us put our babies in disposable diapers which can increase the risk of painful diaper rash, potentially damage fertility in males (3), and contain all kinds of chemicals, some of which are potentially capable of killing an infant if ingested (3). Others are known to be highly carcinogenic and cause hormonal imbalances and immune system weaknesses; these are chemicals which have been banned in many countries due to their well established health hazards.

Only 66% of mothers choose to breastfeed their infants, while the rest choose formula over God's perfect food, human breast-milk. By 6 months only 22% of women are still breastfeeding exclusively, while the rest have switched to formula feeding as well as supplementing with cereals and other unnecessary and potentially harmful man-made baby foods.

Now while the baby`s system is being daily assaulted by poor quality and potentially contaminated food (4) and health endangering diapers, we put our babies in clothes that have been coated in flame-retardants and lay them to sleep on infant mattresses that are also laden with chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to crib death (also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or "SIDS") and autism (5).

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, eventually your child will be weaned from milk and begin consuming solid foods. So you`re a health-conscious mom and make sure your child consumes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and lean protein sources? That`s a great start but watch out! Those veggies and fruits are likely covered in pesticides and other chemicals, and even lean protein sources like chicken have their dangers (6).

Infant care products (lotions, shampoos, ointments) are another potential source of toxins. Even mild shampoos designed specifically with babies and small children in mind often contain potentially dangerous chemicals such as formaldehyde, fragrances, artificial colorings, and dangerous surfactants. Infant shampoos have recently been the subject of lawsuits after it was shown that they contained ingredients so dangerous that even the lax FDA banned their use in cosmetics (7).

References:

1. http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/06/01/dirty.d...
2. http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood/pressre...
3. http://verybaby.com/cms-display/health.html
4. http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research...
5. http://www.babysake.com/analysis.htm
6. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2004/112-1/ss....
7. http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2010/02...

About the author

Megan Rostollan is a Certified Family Herbalist and works with her husband David, a private natural health and nutrition consultant (www.reforminghealth.com). She is also the author of a blog which can be found at NaturalHousewifery.com. Her areas of greatest interest include women's reproductive and prenatal health, as well as organic and green living and dietary and lifestyle changes.