Pollutants in the air we breathe can be bad for our health. Babies in the womb and young children are especially vulnerable as their bodies are growing and developing. Urban air in particular is more polluted than in surrounding regions.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide. It is used to harden plastics, keep bacteria from growing in foods, and prevent cans from rusting. It is found in products we use every day: baby bottles, water bottles, food storage containers, the lining of canned goods and cash register receipts.
Lead poisoning remains the most common environmental hazard for children throughout the United States, affecting approximately 240,000 children ages six years and younger. Lead is a metal found in the environment that can be neurotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. It is inhaled or ingested and carried throughout the body in the bloodstream. All organ systems are susceptible to damage. Pregnant women, babies, and children under six years of age are especially vulnerable. During pregnancy, lead poisoning can result in spontaneous abortions, stillbirth, and low birth weight.
Mercury is a metal that is found in air, water, and soil. Mercury does not break down in the environment and is toxic to humans, building up in our bodies over long periods of time. Mercury exists naturally in several forms. It can build to very high levels in certain types of fish that people eat.
Exposure to molds can be harmful to your health — especially in children, whose defense systems are only partially formed. Our bodies come in contact with mold in three ways: by breathing mold spores that become airborne; by eating mold in food; and by touching mold on surfaces. Over 200 different types of indoor molds have been identified. They grow best in moist, wet environments, and tend to spread rapidly on almost any surface — food, tile, paint, dust, sheetrock, plaster, wood, and fabric.
Exposure to pest allergens from cockroaches, dust mites, and rodents can cause serious allergic and asthmatic reactions. Exposure to these allergens at a young age can increase babies’ and children’s risk of developing asthma and other respiratory symptoms.
Pesticides are chemicals that avert or destroy unwanted pests such as insects, rodents, and fungi. Therefore, it is not surprising that they can harm humans, too. Prenatal and early-life exposure to chemical-based pesticides can permanently change the way biological systems function.
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to soften plastics in many consumer products, including children’s toys, plastic containers, and personal care products.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame-retardant compounds that are applied to a broad array of textiles and consumer products, including mattresses, upholstery, carpeting, building materials, and electronic equipment. Because the compounds are additive rather than chemically bound to the products, they can be released into the environment. They are persistent organic chemicals and can bioaccumulate in the body.
It has been well documented that exposure to secondhand smoke is extremely unhealthful. Secondhand smoke gets into the air when tobacco products are burned and contains thousands of toxic chemicals.
