Keeping Children Safe: The Hidden Danger

We live in an uncertain age when raising children, among other things, has become a particular challenge. We are constantly reminded to be vigilant around our children at home, at school, and in the wider world. Yet, we often fail to realize that the dangers to our children begin on the day of their birth and increase through childhood.

What we are alluding to are the internal dangers of harmful chemicals that our children ingest through their skin, their mouths, and their noses. It has been calculated that babies are born pre-polluted with up to 300 (yes, 300) industrial chemicals in their little bodies when they enter our world. And some researchers suggest that there may be a silent pandemic of brain development disorders that actually begin in the womb. Reports indicate that one in every six children will experience a developmental disability, mostly affecting the nervous system, before they leave elementary school. Frightening, isn’t it?

Yet, we frequently encounter young parents who seem to be immune to the significance of this information. “Of course, we want the best for our children,” they say, “and the government protects us from the effects of these chemicals by putting consumer-information labels on the products that use such chemicals.” Not so, unfortunately. In 1976, when the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed, the act declared about 62,000 (yes, 62,000) chemicals already on the market to be safe despite the fact that most had never been tested. We didn’t know then, and for the most part don’t know now, how chemicals affect the very young. Only when we observe immediate effects such as birth defects or early learning problems, or we know about definitely toxic substances such as lead or arsenic are we made aware of the harmful effects of some chemicals on early childhood development.

During the past 30 years, at least 20,000 additional chemicals have been put into commercial use in the U.S. (the European Union now lists 100,000 registered chemicals). Less than half of them have been tested in any form for their impact on human beings. And the 1976 act has never been amended to take stock of our increasing knowledge about industrial chemicals and their effects on our health. “Toxic Brew”, a documentary made by the Canadian Broadcasting Company, and hosted by Bill Moyers, highlights the problem dramatically. See if your local library has a copy of this DVD. We now know that industrial chemicals are associated with an increasing range of childhood-related diseases such as childhood cancer, autism, ADHD, and asthma, among others.

Federal and state governments still have little authority to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals. Neither the EPA nor manufacturers are required to prove the safety of chemicals currently in commercial use. That, however, may be about to change.

The Kid-Safe Chemicals Act is currently making its way through Congress. Among other improvements, it will require that industrial chemicals be safe for children and other vulnerable groups; that new chemicals as well as the 62,000 “old” chemicals be safety tested before being included in marketable products; that the EPA be given authority to review key chemicals that are known to be found in people; that regular bio-monitoring by the EPA be used to update information on health and safety issues; and that the EPA be required to promote safer alternatives and alternatives to animal testing.

We can only hope for the rapid passage of this important act. Meanwhile, we can all become more informed about the chemicals included in products we use everyday. Our next article in this series will do just that.