Babies, kids' mattresses with brain-harming chemicals may raise health risks

A team of Canadian researchers has found plasticisers called phthalates flame retardants and other harmful chemicals in mattresses of babies and young children who are likely to breathe and absorb these while sleeping increasing several health risksResearchers from the University of Toronto said these chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems asthma hormone disruption and cancerSleep is vital for brain development particularly for infants and toddlers However our research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm kidsrsquo brainsrdquo said Miriam Diamond Professor at the University of TorontoldquoThis is a wakeup call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our childrenrsquos beds are safe and support healthy brain developmentrdquo she addedThe review of studies is published in the journals Environmental Science and Technology and Environmental Science and Technology LettersIn the first study researchers measured chemical concentrations in 25 bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years They detected concerning levels of more than two dozen phthalates flame retardants and UV filters in bedroom air with the highest levels lurking around the bedsIn a companion study researchers tested 16 newly purchased childrens mattresses and confirmed that they are likely the major source of these chemicals in childrenrsquos sleeping environmentsWhen the researchers simulated a childs body temperature and weight on the mattresses chemical emissions increased substantially as much as by several timesThe phthalates and organophosphate ester flame retardants measured in this study are hormone disruptors and linked to neurological harms including learning disorders reduced IQ scores behavioural problems and impaired memory said the researchersSome are also linked to childhood asthma and cancer Several UV filters are hormone disruptors Children are uniquely vulnerable to exposure given that they are still developing have handtomouth behaviours and have breathing rates ten times higher than adultsThey also have more permeable skin and three times the skin surface area relative to their body weight than adultsFlame retardants are linked to neurological reproductive and hormonal harm as well as cancer and also have no proven firesafety benefit as used in mattressesThe researchers call for manufacturers to be more vigilant about the chemicals in childrenrsquos mattresses through testingThe authors recommend decluttering childrenrsquos sleeping areas by reducing the number of pillows blankets and toys They also recommend washing and refreshing your childrsquos bedding and bed clothing frequently since this act as a protective barrier to reduce exposureThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoeveratOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params