Protect your child from harmful chemicals
Every day, our children are in contact with many products that may contain problematic or harmful chemicals. As parents, no matter how much we want to, we cannot protect our children from everything. It would simply be too big a task.
Therefore, it is about prioritizing your strengths. Invest where it makes sense and where you and your child will have the greatest effect. And remember: you don't need to panic or feel guilty.
Get an overview of the harmful substances
I have written this blog post to give you an overview of some of the most common harmful substances. When you know what to avoid and how to do it, it becomes easier to navigate safely through the jungle of products.
Protecting your child from harmful chemicals does not have to be time-consuming or unmanageable. You can make a big difference with a few, simple precautions - you will find them at the bottom of the article.
What are endocrine disruptors?
The human hormone system can be affected by both external factors (e.g. food, clothing and indoor climate) and internal factors (e.g. stress). Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that the body can mistake for hormones. They can inhibit or activate the body's hormone receptors and thus disturb the hormonal balance.
These substances can damage sperm quality, advance puberty in girls, cause malformations in fetuses and increase the risk of breast and testicular cancer. Even very small amounts can cause hormonal disturbances.
Examples of hormone-disrupting substances:
- Bisphenol-A
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Pesticides
You should know these harmful substances
Bisphenol-A
Bisphenol-A – or bisphenols – is on the EU's list of suspected endocrine disruptors. It is prohibited in materials that come into contact with food for children under three years of age. Previously, the substance was found in baby bottles and teat cups made of polycarbonate plastic (PC), where small amounts could be released. Although the level was below the limit value, the material was banned in Denmark.
On the other hand, studies show that dummy pacifiers with polycarbonate shields do not emit bisphenol-A, and are therefore considered safe to use.
N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances
Most N-nitrosamines are carcinogenic, and there are strict limits on how much can be in products for children under the age of three – especially in products that come into contact with the mouth. Nitrosamines are found in many foods such as salted or smoked meat, in cosmetics and in rubber products such as natural rubber.
During the production of natural rubber pacifiers, the nitrosamines are removed through washing. All natural rubber pacifiers are continuously tested for nitrosable substances. Small amounts can be released when the pacifier is used, but to a much lesser extent than in e.g. cosmetics or food products.
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives in creams, shampoos and cosmetics. In Denmark, it has been prohibited since 2011 to use certain parabens in products for children under the age of three, as they are suspected of being hormone disruptors and can cause allergies. Swan-labelled products must not contain parabens.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency recommends avoiding propylparaben and butylparaben, which are often found in body lotion and sunscreen.
Perfume
Perfume is a known allergen which rarely has a necessary function. It can cause a contact allergy that lasts a lifetime - the allergy cannot disappear, only worsens. Therefore, you should always choose perfume-free products, especially for children.
Pesticides
Pesticides are sprays that can have an endocrine-disrupting effect. Organic fruits and vegetables generally contain far fewer pesticides than conventional ones. However, always remember to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to remove residues of pesticides, even when they are organic.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemical substances used as plasticizers in plastics (PVC). Not all phthalates are equally harmful, but some – including DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP – are known to be endocrine disruptors and should be avoided altogether.
