What are the effects of plasticizers on children's health?

The controversy over plasticizers in food in recent years has left people with lingering fears. A report on random inspections of commercially available toys also pointed out that children’s raincoats, toys they chew or play with, and even common inflatable swimming pools have excessive amounts of plasticizers. Environmental hormones have become a major issue that modern parents must guard against.

Where are plasticizers usually hidden?

Parents, if you think about it carefully, you will find that plastic products are almost indispensable in our daily life, including food, clothing, housing, transportation, education and entertainment. According to a survey, 20% of household garbage is plastic waste, and DEHP plasticizer is usually added to plastic products to make plastic softer so that it can be made into soft toys or food containers.

In fact, DEHP is also exposed in daily life through: building materials (plastic flooring, plastic wallpaper, outer layer of wires), automotive products (seats, interior decoration), clothing (shoes, raincoats), food packaging (some PVC cling film, mineral water bottles, reusable distilled water bottles in water dispensers, etc.), children's products (soft plastic toys, pacifiers, etc.), food containers (plastic cups, bowls, plates, food containers); there are also some plasticizers in the formula of perfumes and lotions. Because the uses of various products are different, the proportion of added plasticizers also has different safety regulations.

Plasticizer is an environmental hormone

The DEHP plasticizer in the problematic raincoat in the sampling report is an environmental hormone. As early as 1991, Dr. Colborn first proved that environmental hormones are harmful to humans. In the past 10 years, pediatricians have found that the proportion of girls with early puberty has increased, and urologists have found that the number of sperm in men has decreased. After investigation, it was found that the main problem comes from the chemical pollution they are exposed to in life. More and more research reports and clinical tests have confirmed that there is no problem with the organs of children with early puberty. Their early development of sexual characteristics is disturbed by chemicals in the environment with hormone-like effects. This type of substance is called endocrine disruptors. Because it comes from the environment, the Japanese named it environmental hormones.

The impact of environmental hormones on children

It is currently known that environmental hormones may have the following effects on humans: affecting the quantity and quality of male sperm, causing infertility; causing pregnant women to give birth to male babies with short penises, cryptorchidism and hypospadias. For girls, it may cause problems such as precocious puberty and stunted growth, and increase the risk of breast cancer, endometriosis and polycystic ovary in the future. It may also cause problems such as impaired immune system, thyroid tumors, hyperactivity and learning disabilities in children, and inattention.

If you accidentally consume or come into contact with plasticizers, doctors recommend that drinking plenty of water is the best way to detoxify. Usually, the toxins will be automatically metabolized within 24 to 48 hours. If you are still worried, you can do a liver function test.