A report published today by CHEM Trust highlights how chemicals in food and consumer products used in homes, schools and offices could harm brain development in children. The impacts – which may include ADHD and lower IQ - are avoidable and can prevent children reaching their full potential says CHEM Trust, in No Brainer: The impact of chemicals on children’s brain … [Read more...] about IT’S A NO BRAINER! Action needed to stop children being exposed to chemicals that harm their brain development!
Children
Dust: Not only a nuisance, but also a source of hazardous chemicals
We spend up to 90% of our time indoors – in our homes, our offices or at school. However, studies show that indoor air can be more polluted and therefore worse for our health than air outdoors, as indoor air and dust can contain a number of worrying harmful chemical pollutants. Children, particularly babies and toddlers playing on floors, are specifically vulnerable to … [Read more...] about Dust: Not only a nuisance, but also a source of hazardous chemicals
Breast milk could be a major source of exposure to persistent PFCs in infancy
New research, published today in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, shows that some persistent perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) can be transferred from mother to infant via breast milk. These chemicals, which have been widely used, are linked to a number of health problems, including negative impacts on immune response to vaccines in children. The research … [Read more...] about Breast milk could be a major source of exposure to persistent PFCs in infancy
PFCs: In our blood, in polar bears – and in packets of microwave popcorn! (updated with Danish controls)
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been used in some of our favourite products including waterproof clothing and non stick pans, but their persistence means they're found all over the globe, in wildlife and in our blood and other tissues. As the amount of research showing the harmful effects of these widely used chemicals grows, many of them are still in use - including in … [Read more...] about PFCs: In our blood, in polar bears – and in packets of microwave popcorn! (updated with Danish controls)
Chemical found in till receipts affects parenting behaviour in mice
New research, published today [1,2], finds that low doses of a chemical that leaches from many till receipts and food cans, can change the behaviour of female mice towards their offspring. The chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), has already been banned from use in baby bottles, and the French government has asked for an EU-wide ban on its use in thermal paper till receipts [3]. The … [Read more...] about Chemical found in till receipts affects parenting behaviour in mice
New research shows link between DEHP phthalate exposure and development of baby boys
New research, published today, finds that there is a link between the exposure of pregnant women to the phthalate DEHP and the development of their baby boys. … [Read more...] about New research shows link between DEHP phthalate exposure and development of baby boys
Bisphenol A – new EFSA assessment cuts safe exposure level, calls for more research (updated)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have today published the opinion of their CEF scientific panel [1] on the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs. [See end of this blog item for a challenge to the EFSA assessment from the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark] In this opinion they have cut their … [Read more...] about Bisphenol A – new EFSA assessment cuts safe exposure level, calls for more research (updated)
IQ impacted for children of pregnant women exposed to higher levels of phthalates
New research has found that the children of women exposed to higher levels of certain phthalate chemicals when pregnant have lower IQ at seven years old. The research, published in the journal PLOS One, looked at the levels of phthalates (a commonly used group of chemicals) in the urine of 328 mothers late in their pregnancy, and then tested the IQ of their children when they … [Read more...] about IQ impacted for children of pregnant women exposed to higher levels of phthalates
Impact of hormone disrupting chemicals on male health costs hundreds of millions of € in the EU (updated)
A new study, commissioned by Nordic governments and published today (press release here), finds that the damage to male reproductive health from exposure to hormone (or endocrine) disrupting chemicals is likely to cost many millions of euros every year in the EU. … [Read more...] about Impact of hormone disrupting chemicals on male health costs hundreds of millions of € in the EU (updated)
Phthalates – they’re all around us and could be having some strange effects…
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in a wide range of products - this introduction from a 2013 scientific paper is a good summary: "Phthalates are a group of ubiquitous chemicals present in many consumer products, including building materials, furnishings, clothing, paints, food packaging, toys, personal care products and pharmaceuticals. Many of them are or have been … [Read more...] about Phthalates – they’re all around us and could be having some strange effects…
