Once again, those wondering about the chemicals lurking inside us have bad news. In a long-running study, researchers tested 201 young children (aged 2 to 4 years old) and found that all of them have many dangerous chemicals ("chemicals of concern") in their bodies. Some of the chemicals were in higher levels in the children than in their mothers during pregnancy.
In this study pregnant women from 4 states had their urine analyzed, and later the urine of their children when they were 2 to 4 years old. The testing of blood and urine from a person and looking for certain chemicals is called biomonitoring.
The researchers only looked for 111 chemicals and found that at least 5 children had 96 of them detected in their urine. Over 50% of the children had 48 chemicals detected. Thirty four of the chemicals were detected in over 90% of the children. But keep in mind that they only looked for a limited number of chemicals. Some of the chemicals found are not being monitored in adult biomonitoring. Many chemicals we are routinely exposed to, such as the common pesticide glyphosate (found in many non-organic foods) were not looked at.
One trend the researchers found is that levels of 2,4-D (pesticide used as a herbicide or weed-killer) are trending upwards over time. This is because 2,4-D is commonly used as a weed-killer on lawns (including Feed and Weed) and elsewhere, but it is also used on genetically modified crops.
The 111 chemicals tested for are from the foods and beverages children (and adults) ingest, personal care products (e.g., soap, lotion), the chemicals used in the home (e.g., pesticides, cleaning products) or chemicals outgassing from products used in the home (e.g., from non-stain synthetic rugs, plastic toys, vinyl floors). Children are exposed to the chemicals when they breathe indoor and outdoor air, eat food, touch surfaces or objects - both indoors and outdoors.
Bottom line: Eat as many organic foods as possible (pesticides such as 2,4-D and glyphosate are not allowed in organic food production). Additional tips: Lifestyle tips for avoiding harmful chemicals.
Excerpts from Science Daily: Researchers tested 200 toddlers — 96 chemicals were lurking in their bodies
A national study published in Environmental Science & Technology finds children aged 2 to 4 years in the United States are routinely exposed to a broad range of potentially harmful chemicals. Many of the chemicals the researchers identified are not routinely monitored and may pose health risks.
The research was conducted by multiple institutions across the United States in coordination with the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO), a program supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The researchers analyzed urine samples from 201 children aged 2 to 4 years. They tested for 111 chemicals. Their study found:
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- 96 chemicals were detected in at least five children.
- 48 chemicals were found in over half of the children.
- 34 chemicals were detected in more than 90% of children -- including nine chemicals not currently tracked in national health surveys like the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
"Our study shows that childhood exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is widespread. This is alarming because we know early childhood is a critical window for brain and body development," said Deborah H. Bennett, lead author and UC Davis professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences. "Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function."
Children are exposed to these environmental chemicals through everyday activities, such as eating, drinking, breathing indoor and outdoor air and touching contaminated surfaces.
Frequent hand-to-mouth contact, playing close to the ground, and higher intake rates relative to their smaller body weight make kids especially vulnerable to chemical exposure.
Trends and disparities: In addition to the widespread exposure, the researchers noted some trends.
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- Levels of triclosan, parabens, PAHs and most phthalates decreased over the years the samples were collected (from 2010 to 2021).
- An alternative plasticizer, DINCH (di-iso-nonyl-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid), and emerging pesticides, such as the neonicotinoid acetamiprid, pyrethroid pesticides, and the herbicide 2,4-D, showed an upward trend.
- Firstborn children had significantly lower chemical levels than their younger siblings.
- Chemical levels were often higher in younger children (age 2) than in 3- or 4-year-olds.
- Children from racial and ethnic minority groups had higher levels of parabens, several phthalates and PAHs.
Most of the children's mothers had provided urine samples during pregnancy. This allowed the researchers to analyze the chemicals in the mother's urine with the chemicals in the children's urine.
They found the children had higher levels of several chemicals than their mothers did during pregnancy. These included two phthalates, bisphenol S (often used as a BPA replacement) and the pesticide biomarkers 3-PBA and trans-DCCA.