Chronic Illness & Chemicals

Raising children is one of the most rewarding and most difficult jobs we face as adults. They depend on us throughout their childhood and rely on us to make choices with their best interest in mind at all times. Unfortunately, this job is getting more and more difficult every day with modern advances that are not necessarily healthy for us or them. Our world is now filled with many environmental factors that can cause health issues and illnesses, such as autism, ADHD, hyperactivity, increased cancer risks and a variety of birth defects. Because product labels are not always entirely forthcoming, it is important that we educate ourselves in order to provide the protection and education our children need.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 33 babies born each year in the United States has some type of birth defect.  According to recent studies, these birth defects are the leading cause of infant death during the first year of life. It is also important to note that, according to the CDC, 70% of these birth defects result from unknown causes. As researchers continue studying the potential causes of these problems, their published findings continue strengthening the evidence that environmental factors play an important role.
There are a variety of toxic chemicals in common household products used in most homes every day. Perfumes and cosmetics are only minimally regulated and often contain problematic substances, such as phthalates, which are toxins known to cause increased risk of a variety of cancers and respiratory disease, as well as other wellness issues. The plastic bottle with which you feed your newborn could likely contain this toxic chemical as well. According to research conducted by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, newborns are much more sensitive to this toxin than adults are. Phthalates can also be found in food packaging, hair products like shampoo, plastic products and more.

Many wood products contain formaldehyde, which can cause issues ranging from irritated mucus tissues to cancers in adults and children. Perfluorooctanoic acid is one of the main components in non-stick pots and pans.  Though useful and handy, the trade-off is that after repeated use, toxins can leach into your food and inhibit your child’s development in significant ways. It seems that there are few products that do not contain chemicals that will cause some type of illness. This is why it is so important to be mindful of what you are purchasing and the ingredients used to manufacture it. Do your research to ensure that you are giving your kids the safest childhood you possibly can.

For pregnant women, it is particularly important to be aware of the effects of environmental factors on unborn children. Making informed choices about the personal care products and household products you use can – quite literally – save your child’s life. Birth defects and other issues that can be caused by exposure to toxic ingredients in cosmetics, cleaning products and other household products include autism, ADHD, underdeveloped respiratory systems and a variety of other health concerns that can become evident at different life stages.

Steps are being made to increase awareness of the issues surrounding chemical-laden products in our everyday lives. For example, the President’s Cancer Panel has admitted in statements that the number of cases of cancer caused by environmental factors has not been reported correctly. While this statement does not put an immediate stop to the use of dangerous ingredients, it does show that our efforts to push for accurate data and better regulation are not going entirely unnoticed. Of course, until better regulatory policies and laws are in place, it is still up to us to educate ourselves and to choose healthier products that do not contain components known or suspected of causing health problems.

Learn even more about how dangerous ingredients impact childhood illness.