Our bodies were made to keep us protected from outside invaders. Invaders that could threaten our survival and well-being. Little did we know that throughout our entire lives, from the time we were born, we would constantly be introduced to elements and chemicals that would poison our bodies little by little, causing havoc within us.
Things we use to clean our homes with, what we use to shine our vehicles with, nail polishes we use on our little girls, perfumes we spray on each other, what we eat and feed our very own children, our furniture we sit on to relax and to eat on, our daily hygiene products – Everything! Everything that we’ve only known of has toxins in it that eventually harm the very cells that make us, crushing our health from the inside and out.
We need to know more about these toxins so we can reduce our exposure to the worst of them and protect ourselves and our children from the harmful effects.
“How is this so harmful to our children?”
“Unregulated chemicals are increasing in use and are prevalent in products that Americans use everyday.”- ‘Toxic Exposure: Chemicals Are in Our Water, Food, Air and Furniture | UC San Francisco (ucsf.edu)’. That’s me and you. That’s your children and grandchildren. Many of us have used plastic baby bottles for our children not realizing the chemicals from the plastic seep into our children’s milk as soon as they are born. It was found that BPA- a chemical that is used to harden plastics for baby bottles, toys, and other products, could harm the endocrine system of fetuses and infants. Thankfully, the FDA outlawed BPA from being in any baby products as of 2012, however, scientists believe that the products that are now used to replace BPA could be just as harmful. That is just one instance of what we use daily that is unhealthy for us. There are trillions more!
Childhood Cancers
The environment that we expose our children to play a role in childhood cancers. Long-term exposure to some household cancer causing products threaten their health. Harmful chemicals can enter the body from simply breathing in while the floors are being mopped in your home. Many of these chemicals can also be absorbed into the skin as tables are sprayed down before sitting to eat. Researchers at Georgetown’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center found a higher level of common household pesticides in children’s urine who also were diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia between the ages of 3-7. – ‘Common Household Pesticides Linked To Childhood Cancer Cases In Washington Area — ScienceDaily’. House hold items that are used to bring fresh or clean fragrances to the home carry chemicals that are harmful to us and our young children. Long-term exposure to this may cause cancer as well. To be safe, make your own homemade air fresheners using fragrance-free products. There are different things you can use for house cleaning. Anything to possibly reduce the chances of childhood cancers for our babies is worth a try.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD, as many know, has been linked to lead. Lead can be found in children’s costume jewelry and toys. The intoxication of this leads to a syndrome that resembles ADHD. Higher blood levels of lead is found in children with higher levels of ADHD. Pesticides are another form in which cause neurological behavioral problems. Bug sprays that are used on our fruits and vegetables can be ingested if not washed correctly or long enough. A different study showed that those who had ADHD had high levels of organophosphates, which is a chemical found in the bug sprays that are introduced onto our fruits and veggies. To prohibit this from happening to your children, buy organic fruits and vegetables, always. I believe your child, any child, is worth the extra cost. Aside from fruits and vegetables, food coloring snacks are also a culprit for ADHD. Food coloring has been found to cause damage to genotoxicity. Food coloring can be found in not only foods such as snacks, candies, and desserts, but also our drinks much like orange sodas, grape sodas, and some kids juices. As mentioned earlier, BPA can no longer be used in baby products, though that does not include baby shampoo plastic bottles and baby lotions. To avoid this being another link to ADHD and your child, stop using plastics and especially those plastics that are marked “No. 7” on the bottom as those are the ones that are often linked to ADHD due to BPA. – ‘Toxins in the Home Linked to ADHD in Children – ADHD Center – Everyday Health’.
Be In The Know
There are about 100,000 synthetic chemicals that are being added to our everyday products and lifestyle. A majority of these chemicals have not been tested for their effects on us humans, much less the effects it has on children and developing fetuses whose body’s are much more susceptible to ailments by these toxins. – ‘Impacts Of Environmental Toxins On The Health Of Children (asehaqld.org.au)’. Everyday more and more children are falling ill whether it is the two that I just touched the surface on above or heart conditions and many others. Many of these diseases/illnesses can be formed from pre-natal exposure coupled with genetics and perhaps the additional environmental introduction after birth is to blame.
It is no longer in doubt that the chemicals in our environment whether it be from our homes, schools, and outside, are affecting the health and development of our children. In 2002, the World Heath Organization and United Nations Environment Program estimated that about 3 million children under the age of 5 die every year due to environmental hazards. That was18 years ago, I can only imagine what the numbers are like now.
Do your research on everything you use. When buying foods for you and your kids, turn the box over and read what it is you are putting inside of your bodies. It’ll only take a second. Google the ingredients and chemicals that you aren’t familiar with. Go organic. Choose glass over plastic. Be intentional with you and your child[ren]’s health and what you feed your body’s. Be in the know, stay in the know. Our children’s lives depend on it.
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