Latest news with #DeborahBennett
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Potentially Toxic Chemicals Are Reaching Toddlers Before Kindergarten, Study Finds
Young children nationwide are exposed to a large swath of possibly toxic chemicals before kindergarten, new research suggests '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 the study's lead author, Deborah Bennett Researchers found that of the 111 chemicals they focused on, 48 were found in more than 50% of the childrenBefore ever stepping foot inside a kindergarten classroom, young children nationwide are already exposed to a large swath of possibly toxic chemicals, new research suggests. The study, published in Environmental Science and Technology on Monday, June 30, analyzed chemical exposure in 201 kids from the ages of 2-4 years old between 2010 and 2021, using urine samples from the children and most of their mothers during pregnancy. Researchers focused on 111 chemicals. '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 the study's lead author, Deborah Bennett in a statement from UC Davis, where she is a professor. 'Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function,' Bennett added. Researchers found that of the 111 chemicals, 96 were detected in at least five kids and 48 were found in more than 50% of the children. In addition, 34 were found in more than 90% of the kids — including nine substances "which have not been included in U.S. national biomonitoring." "This study reveals frequent exposure to multiple chemicals in young U.S. children, often exceeding prenatal levels," the authors wrote in a summary. "Expanded biomonitoring of emerging chemicals of concern and studies of their health effects in this vulnerable population are warranted." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to UC Davis, the study found children were exposed to phthalates, parabens, bactericides, and various other chemicals through "everyday activities, such as eating, drinking, breathing indoor and outdoor air and touching contaminated surfaces." 'Exposure to certain chemicals in early childhood, such as pesticides, plasticizers and flame retardants, has been linked to developmental delays, hormone disruption and other long-term health issues,' the study's first author, Jiwon Oh, told UC Davis. Read the original article on People
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Your toddler may have up to 96 chemical substances lurking inside of them, scientists discover
Your preschooler might be routinely exposed to as many as 96 potentially harmful chemicals, according to researchers. A new analysis conducted by multiple U.S. institutions has found that 48 chemicals were found in more than half of the urine samples from more than 200 children between the ages of two and four years old. There were 96 chemicals detected in five children. The institutions had tested for 111 chemicals, including plastic-fortifying phthalates, pesticides, benzophenones that are used in sunscreens and cosmetics, bisphenols found in plastic containers and parabens that are commonly used in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos and pharmaceuticals. Exposure to phthalates has been linked to breast cancer, and benzophenones have also been listed as 'possibly carcinogenic to humans.' Previous research has also suggested a possible link between exposure to certain bisphenols and an increased risk of certain cancers. '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,' Deborah Bennett, professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California at Davis, said in a statement. 'Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function.' Bennett is the lead author of the study, which was published on Tuesday in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. The authors also discovered that 34 of the chemicals they tested for were found in more than 90 percent of the children included in the study. The kids lived in California, Georgia, New York and Washington. Levels in two-year-olds were higher than their older counterparts, and firstborn children had significantly lower chemical levels than their younger siblings. There were also racial disparities, with children from racial and ethnic minority groups found to have higher levels of parabens, several phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are chemicals that occur naturally in coal, crude oil and gasoline. Those chemicals include nine that are not currently tracked in national health surveys, and the researchers noted that many of these chemicals are not routinely monitored. Children are exposed to the chemicals through everyday activities. They may touch contaminated surfaces, breathe indoor and outdoor air and play close to the ground. Frequent hand-to-mouth contact makes them especially vulnerable. Parents can limit their children's' exposure by choosing safer products, maintaining hygiene, ventilating their spaces and cleaning regularly. The researchers noted that more studies are needed to fully understand the long-term health implications of exposure to the chemicals. 'Exposure to certain chemicals in early childhood — such as pesticides, plasticizers and flame retardants — has been linked to developmental delays, hormone disruption and other long-term health issues,' Jiwon Oh, first author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences, said. 'This new study highlights the urgent need for expanded biomonitoring and stronger regulations to protect children from harmful exposures.'
