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Children's Health Environmental Coalition

 

"Products you might think keep your home clean

or pest free can be toxic to your child."

 

Written By Dr. Phil Landrigan, Pediatrician, Mount Sinai School of Medicine

 

Keeping our homes clean is an important way to keep our children healthy.  It is what we have been taught since we were children.  But now that we are adults and heads of households, we have to realize that "clean" doesn't have to mean using the many dangerous cleaning products that are available today.  Hundreds of these products are toxic, especially to children, and can cause server medical problems.  A little old fashion soap and water works very well to protect children from most illnesses due to unsanitary conditions.

 

Don't use antibiotic soaps or cleaners. They can cause allergic reactions and can promote the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.  Look under your kitchen, bathroom and laundry sinks and review the labels on your cleaning products.  Drain cleaners, over cleaners and furniture polish are especially  dangerous.  Don't take chances with products labeled with words such as hazardous, poisonous, toxic or other strong warnings.  Often these products contain known carcinogens or chemicals that may cause severe asthma reactions, nervous system disorders or other illnesses.  When they are used in your home on floors, counter tops or for washing clothes, they can be absorbed through children's skin. 

 

When children place their chemical coated hands in their mouths they can swallow chemicals and become ill.  When cleaning agents are sprayed on counter tops and carpets, these chemicals remain as residue and may continue to be inhaled by your child.  Minimize use of pesticides in your home and on your lawn and garden.  A good integrated pest management program (IPM) can safely protect your home against pests. As a pediatrician I have seen many children become severely ill as a result of reactions to cleaning product and pesticides in their homes, and I also worry about the long-term effects of children's day in and day out exposure to these materials.  Remember: Most of these products are not needed to keep your home sanitary or pest free, and their use may harm the health of your family.  (Look for Dr. Phil Landrigan's new book "101 Ways to Keep Your Child Healthy In a Toxic World," to be printed by Rodale Press in 2001.)

 

CHEC's Partners

 

BEFORE BABY

The Pew Environmental Health Commission at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health recently released an important study entitled Healthy From the Start.   The study reports that most state public health systems that track birth defects are inadequate to help researchers answer questions about the causes of birth defects.

 

"Birth defects are the nation's leading cause of infant death, yet the causes of 80% of birth defects are unknown," reports Dr. Sheley Hearne, executive director.  The study gave each state grade based on its birth defects surveillance program or lack thereof.  Most states received low grades including 19 with "F".

 

Referring to fish advisories studies, Dr. Hearne says, "We don't know fundamental information about the health of the citizens.  Were know more about the health of a fish than we do the health of a child."

 

The study finds that there is increasing evidence that environmental factors, including exposure to toxic substances and pollutants, may play an important role in the development of birth defects and related conditions.  We already know that lack of folic acid, alcohol, smoking, and even secondhand smoke can create major problems for a growing fetus.  As part of good prenatal practices, Dr. Hearne suggests taking precaution with the use of household chemicals, pesticides and other toxicants.  If you are interested in working to improve your state's ability to track birth defects or other adverse chronic conditions, please contact Lois Banks at the Pew Commission at lbanks@ihsph.edu or call 410-659-2690.

 

CHEC Editor's Note: Organizations we highlight in this column are "Partners" in the movement to protect children from environmentally caused illness or death.