Do Chemicals Affect Children’s Brains?

We are exposed to thousands of chemical toxins that do not occur in nature and were not in existence 100 years ago.  That list is constantly growing longer.  These toxins enter our body through the air that we breathe, what we consume and through our skin.  Once they are inside of us, how these toxins react with each other and with our own physiology is an area of study, of concern and currently not fully understood.  What we do know for sure is that this toxic burden is problematic.  

It was once thought that the placenta was a protective barrier that protects the developing fetus against environmental toxins.  That simply isn't true.  Toxins do pass through the placenta and can have detrimental changes to a developing fetus.   

Why is there such a high incidence of allergies, asthma, ADD, ADHD and autism today as compared to a few generations ago?  Something is different.  That difference is the ever increasing  toxic load of our modern world.

The following is a list of pediatric neurotoxins that can affect a child's developing brain and nervous system. The list is from Dr. Philip Landrigan at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Dr. Philippe Grandjean of the Harvard School of Public Health.  These two doctors have been studying pediatric neurotoxins for over 30 years.  The most damage can occur between conception and early childhood, which is the period of most rapid growth and development. 

Dangerous Pediatric Neurotoxins:

1.  Lead. Beware old paint and plumbing.

2.  Methylmercury. Watch your kids’ fish consumption, vaccine preservatives and dental fillings.

3.  Polychlorinated biphenyls. Banned in 1977, PCBs now exist mostly as pollution. Nothing to do but learn a hard lesson about the value of environmental regulations.

4.  Arsenic. Mostly found in treated lumber made before arsenic-based treatments were banned in 2003. Exercise caution around older exterior wood products.

5.  Toluene. Most exposures come from cigarette smoke and air pollution.

6.  Manganese. An essential trace mineral that in excessive amounts (mostly via contaminated water and industrial sources) is linked to neurological harm.

7.  Fluoride. Filter treated water, watch the toothpaste swallowing and be cautious with processed foods and beverages, which are often made with fluoridated water.

8.  Chlorpyrifos. It’s a pesticide.  

9.  DDT. Banned in 1972. See PCBs above.

10.  Tetrachloroethylene. Think dry cleaning fluid and use an alternative “wet” cleaner or other green option instead.

11.  Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These flame retardant chemicals are found in electronics, foam products, mattresses, carpets, and house dust.

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