On the one hand, we are surrounded by an abundance of products. Conversely, we increasingly hear about the health and environmental dangers of various widespread chemicals and plastics. We lack more substantial public health guidance and oversight in these matters. The natural, non-toxic products and lifestyle trends seem organic (grassroots) and come from the public/customer base rather than governments. But they are largely backed by science and research. This is particularly important when considering non-toxic baby products for the safety of our children.
I was getting overwhelmed with information on social media. So I decided to dig deeper and prepare an easy-to-understand and follow guide to the best and worst materials for non-toxic baby products.
But this knowledge applies not only to babies but to all children and to ourselves as well. I do not want to partake in fear-mongering, and any information I decide to abide by must be backed up by science and research. My actions are simply because I want to do what’s best for my son.
Follow the science
Where this guide gets personal is when I state my opinions and decisions. Any research findings are always a subject of interpretation, as the conclusions are rarely black and white. Not all the studies are equal. Issues with research and studies can include poorly defined research questions, inadequate literature reviews, flawed study designs, small sample groups, inappropriate sampling techniques, errors in data collection methods, biases in data analysis, ethical concerns (pregnant women are very hard to study because of possible harms to the fetus), and a lack of clarity in communicating results, all of which can impact the validity and reliability of the findings.
When there are signs a substance might be harmful, the two common approaches are to either wait and see (and do nothing while we do more research) or play it safe (avoid). The government guidelines and individual use of a substance might be unchanged until more data is established. Or we might decide to err on the side of caution. I usually like to follow the second approach. If I have doubts about something and know it might potentially cause harm to me or my family, and there is no urgent need for it, I’d rather stay away.
My take
For example, I believe vaccines are safe and proven to prevent many diseases, especially in children. So we are up to date with all of our vaccines. I am happy we live in a world where I don’t need to stress too much about diseases like smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. The benefits outweigh the risks for me in this case.
But even though plastics are allowed for use in many applications, such as food containers, baby bottles and toys, what we know about them concerns me greatly. Most of the time there are easily attainable alternatives, so I’d rather stay away from it as much as possible.
Disclaimer
This post is not intended as a fear-mongering. If you’re not in a mental headspace to deal with this kind of information, if it’s overwhelming or might trigger difficult thoughts or compulsive behaviors, please skip it.
A completely non-toxic lifestyle is not possible. We need to be in the right moment in our lives to tackle this subject. For me focusing on areas of the biggest impact is a way to go. I always say this, but I truly believe that happy, relaxed, present parents are more impactful to our child’s life quality than pursuing a perfect, 100% nontoxic lifestyle.
A slow, gradual approach to a healthier life is what I choose. I am by no means perfect. With my anxiety and health struggles, I pick my battles. And sometimes convenience wins. But I think it’s one thing to make a conscious decision about something knowing the risks, than staying in the dark and not knowing that what seems harmless to me is potentially dangerous.
I’m not trying to paint an image where we are doomed, but one of optimism and belief that by implementing educated, thoughtful, and simple strategies, we can improve our lives and health over time. By making conscious decisions as consumers, we can impact how manufacturers and governments address these concerns.
Arguments for unconvinced
Complex politics over science
The regulations on the materials, chemicals and ingredients in our everyday products are established by the governments. What does it mean in practice? Different countries might have different approaches to banning substances, and they might be affected by various laws, politics, and interests. Something deemed toxic in one country might be allowed in widespread use in another.
The European Union has banned approximately 2,000 hazardous chemicals. In the meantime, the FDA, the agency responsible for the health and safety of Americans, has only banned less than 40. For example, formaldehyde is not banned; it is only regulated. Europe banned several food additives like potassium bromate, azodicarbonamide, and certain preservatives (BHA, BHT), which are still allowed in the US. The EU generally has a more precautionary approach, banning chemicals when there is potential harm, while the US may wait for more conclusive evidence before taking action.
The US lawmaking is largely affected by its leading industry influences and lobbying. The US has a strong favoritism towards companies and manufacturers. Lobbying in the United States is legal, and protected by the Constitution as a form of free speech. It is a paid activity in which special interest groups (like industries) hire well-connected professional advocates, often lawyers, to argue for specific legislation in decision-making bodies such as the United States Congress.
However, lobbying is often perceived as a form of bribery and corruption by its critics and in other countries’ law systems. The saying “when you don’t know what is going on, it’s about money” might ring true in this case.
lessons from history
I’m always a bit afraid to speak up on this subject. Some quickly label it “crazy” or “quack” territory. However, significant research and evidence exist on the harmful effects of plastics1, chemicals like phthalates, BPAs, and non-stick coatings.
It is not the first time in history that a “miracle,” convenient, widespread-use substance was found to be highly toxic. We used to put asbestos (a toxic and carcinogenic mineral) in our houses (it is still not entirely banned in the US2, just regulated3) and arsenic (an extremely toxic heavy metal) in cosmetics. Even toys for kids were made using lead (another toxic heavy metal) paint. I remember the thermometers had mercury when I was growing up, and adults warned us to treat them cautiously. Mercury is banned in some US states but legal in others.
This often seems to be the case in the US, as some states take these matters more seriously (like California) than the others. Some choose to add controversial fluoride to their water, while others opt out.
Radioactive skincare?
Manufacturers used radium (highly radioactive metal) until the early 1970s in self-luminous paints for watches, aircraft switches, clocks, and skincare. Radium was used in numerous medical applications during the 20th century as well. Nowadays, even medical X-ray machines have switched to high-voltage electrical current to generate X-rays. One of the interesting but sad facts is that Marie Curie-Sklodowska, a Polish scientist and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for discovering polonium and radium, had to be buried in a lead-lined tomb inside the Pantheon in France because her body was extremely radioactive. The biggest discovery of her life was also what contributed to the decline of her health.
While lead is a highly toxic element, and exposure can lead to serious health issues, particularly in children, it can absorb gamma radiation and X-radiation, hence her tomb lining.
Choosing a slow, gradual change
I (kind of) get it when some people say they don’t care. It is overwhelming and depressing to think about. You might conclude that everything is toxic these days, so it’s not feasible to make a significant change. Before my pregnancy, I didn’t care that much about plastics. I recycled them and tried to limit their use because of the environmental aspects. But I didn’t know they harmed me. I grew up in European Union, and I think this stems from a sense of trust in the governments and health authorities that they would not allow things on the market that harm human health.
I’m not perfect right now either. Sometimes my actions might be a bit hypocritical, but I want to do better for my son than I do for myself. Making better choices for him is a no-brainer. And the knowledge gained in the process radiates onto the decisions I make for myself and my household.
The good news
The good news is that we are not at the beginning of this movement of change towards a less-toxic lifestyle. Many resources are available to us, like scientific studies, research, various laws, organizations, non-profits, certifications, guides, communities.
There are countless readily available clean products in stores and online. We can look for labels like UPF verified, NSF, Clean Label, GOTS, OEKO-TEX, etc. Many manufacturers disclose all the materials and chemicals used (or purposefully avoided) to cater to a more conscious, fast-growing customer base. Terms like organic, BPA-free, vegan, low VOC, and sustainable are used in many product descriptions. However, some are subject to greenwashing, so it’s best to double-check the ingredient/material list.
I have simply decided that from now on, if I have a choice I can afford, I will not buy plastic. And I will read the labels to avoid harmful substances as much as possible.
Craftsmanship and natural materials
In the past, before mass industrialization, the gifts and items available for purchase were usually hand-crafted from (now considered premium) materials like leather, wood, ceramic, clay, stones, and even bones. Metals like tin, zinc, aluminum, lead, and cadmium were also used.
However, the toy store establishments were few, and most families, and thus children, could never afford them. The ones they had were handmade and passed down through generations. Or handmade by the children themselves, like simple stick slingshots. There is nothing that sparks creativity and invention more than scarcity. One could argue, then, that the abundance might cause the lack of it.
The nostalgic image of a child standing before a craft shop display and dreaming of owning a fancy toy one day is fast becoming history for many children. The supermarket and dollar store shelves are heavy with thousands of plastic and polyester toys, one flashier than the other. The social media and mom forums are ripe with tricks and guides for toy organization, toy rotation, or donation practices. And yet the same moms that are drowning in toys (including myself) keep looking for new toy recommendations and new playthings that could hold their child’s attention just for a minute longer.
Skincare of the past
In the past, the everyday products used for hygiene or skincare were made using natural, readily available plant or animal-based ingredients. However, there is evidence on the use of lead in beauty products as far as Ancient Egypt. Arsenic was popular ingredient of many cosmetics, including soaps and tooth cement. Mercury was added to face creams (and can still be found in some of them coming from dubious origins).
I am not saying all modern ingredients are bad for us. But I believe many of them were allowed to be used on a mass scale without proper, long-term testing and research on their effects on human health. They were just inexpensive to manufacture and easy to sell. We are basically learning, literally on our own skins, as we go.
Plastic. Good or bad?
The invention of plastic, which is incredibly inexpensive and readily available compared to traditional materials, changed the whole world of product design. It is lightweight, durable, waterproof, long-lasting, insulating, reusable, extremely versatile, and, if designed correctly, can withstand higher temperatures.
Plastic revolutionized the world, including medicine, technology, and transportation. Without it, we wouldn’t have computers and many life-saving medical advancements. The mass production of everyday items improved the quality of life. No wonder the world thought it was the perfect material for the longest time.
The dark side of plastic
Unfortunately, it has its dark side. Synthetic plastic (as opposed to bio and cellulose-based) is made from crude oil, natural gases, and coal. Other things made from it are jet fuel, gasoline, and asphalt. Crude oil, while naturally occurring, is toxic to humans, causes environmental damage and is not a renewable source.
To create plastic, it must undergo various processes like refining, polymerization, compounding, and fabrication. This process pollutes the waters and emits vast amounts of off-gasses. Plastic is not biodegradable and, as such, is a massive source of pollution and a danger to our ecosystem.
Plastic & health
This is nothing new to most people. But while letting plastic monopolize our lives, we weren’t exactly aware of how much it directly impacts our health. The research done in the last decades suggests we were in the dark.4 We are only now discussing the two main problems with plastic: microplastics and chemicals in it. Before we dismiss this as uneducated whining from the dark corner of the internet, I think it’s worth researching reputable sources.
The tiny particles and chemicals in plastics (like BPA) can leech into our food, water, and other liquids, causing various adverse health and environmental damages5.
Plastic is everywhere
Studies have found microplastics in human tissues like the liver, kidneys, and placenta6, indicating ingestion and potential internal accumulation7. Inhaling microplastics can lead to lung inflammation and potential respiratory problems8. They were even found in breastmilk9. Plastics are linked with adverse health effects like cancer, birth defects, and reproductive issues.
A group of chemicals called endocrine disruptors can potentially interfere with hormone regulation, reproductive health, development, and metabolism10. Exposure to plastic chemicals during pregnancy and early childhood may be particularly concerning due to potential effects on fetal development.
The authorities claim that more research is needed to assess the full effects of plastic exposure on our health. But to me, it’s clear that it is concerning in many direct and indirect ways. How much more evidence do we need?
While plastic is crucial for certain applications and industries and vital for the modern world, I believe it needs to be regulated. It should not be used freely and without oversight as the leading material for everyday items and products that directly interact with our food and body when there are alternatives. The serious adverse health effects of microplastics and chemicals make a compelling case for finding and using nontoxic baby products.
Materials for food and BEVERAGE-RELATED items
Avoid plastic
Plastics leech the highest amounts of microplastics and chemicals at higher temperatures. As various foods and beverages are consumed warmed up, this is where plastic poses the most significant danger to our health. We are basically ingesting it ourselves. Some products don’t even need to be intentionally warmed up, all it takes is for the products to stay in a warm warehouse or a truck for some time.
We all know baby bottles need to be sanitized before use to ensure the child’s safety from germs. The baby formula needs to be prepared with heated water. When heated, plastic degrades and sheds microplastics, especially in contact with fatty foods. Some studies suggest that on average, bottle-fed infants worldwide may consume more than 1.5 million particles of microplastics per day11.
There are not many things that make me more uncomfortable than that. It’s not like we don’t have an alternative. As a baby, I was fed with glass bottles because plastic ones were not even available. Did it really take us 30+ years to go back to what we already knew?
Non stick coatings
The second popular and convenient material that could be dangerous to our health is Teflon. It is used to make various products like nonstick pans, cookware, air friers, medical products, and waterproof fabrics. Teflon used to be made with material containing PFOA. PFOA was found to be a highly toxic carcinogen and cause adverse health effects. It was banned in 2013 and replaced with PTFE. While PTFE is generally considered safe and non-toxic, it is advised not to be ingested (from a scratched or chipped surface) or heated above 300 degrees Celsius (570 degrees Fahrenheit). This is when it can degrade and release toxic chemicals.
For peace of mind, I think it just makes more sense to stick (pun not intended) to materials that are time-tested and truly non-toxic. I can deal with a little inconvenience of a dirty pan if I know it’s better for my family.
Safer, non toxic alternatives
Nowadays, most groceries, even fresh fruit and vegetables, come in plastic packaging. Unless we grow our own garden (which will also never be toxic-free because our soil is contaminated with heavy metals) or buy from organic farmer’s markets, there’s no way to fully control that.
But we can minimize the impact of these substances in our homes and everyday lives by choosing stainless steel, cast iron, glass, and ceramic cookware. Cooking utensils made from stainless steel and wood served many generations before the most toxic of them all, black plastic utensils, became popular. Glass bottles for babies and glass Tupperware are widely available. Natural rubber is ideal for soft things like pacifiers. While silicone is imperfect and has its own concerns, especially when heated, it is still a better choice than plastic.
While the initial cost of these items might be higher, they can last a lifetime if taken care of properly. Stainless steel, glass, and ceramic are nonporous and don’t absorb substances or stain. Even wood can last years if taken care of properly.
Non-stick cookware and plastics scratch and break easily and must be replaced often. In the long term, we might be better off financially without them.
If you’re interested in non-toxic baby weaning essentials, check my post here.
Clothing materials
Healthy & sustainable
The best fabrics we can buy are hemp, linen, recycled cotton, organic or recycled wool, and 100% organic cotton. These are grown/collected in ethical ways, and with no harsh chemicals used in the process. We can be assured they are sustainable, don’t pollute and use too much water. They are natural, clean, non toxic, breathable and biodegradable.
Natural but raising concerns
There is a significant difference between organic and conventional cotton. Regular cotton uses chemicals and a lot of water for processing, negatively impacting our environment. It’s still a better textile for our health than synthetics, but it lacks the ethical component. The production of silk, conventional wool, and cashmere raises a lot of concerns about sustainability, ethics, worker’s health and animal welfare.
Miracle bamboo?
Bamboo is the new favorite material of the moment. Many people don’t know few things about it though: it is a semi-synthetic textile, that gets heavily processed, and it’s not really a new material, as it’s alternative names are rayon or viscose.
Bamboo is a subject of a lot of greenwashing. While it is made from wood (bamboo) pulp, which is a fast growing and sustainable tree, the process of turning that hard wood into a soft (“buttery” is a favorite marketing word for it) fiber requires a lot of chemicals and as such, pollutes the environment and can negatively affect the health of the workers.
The only type of rayon/viscose that is made more sustainably is the one branded Tencell/Lyocell. It uses the closed-loop process in it’s manufacturing, meaning it keeps reusing the same chemicals over and over to produce new fibers without polluting the environment in the same amount that other rayons do.
What is modal? It’s also a type of rayon, just made specifically from beech trees.
While bamboo and other types of rayon are questionable from the ethical and environmental perspective, they are still a soft, breathable and biodegradable fabrics, so I place them above synthetic textiles.
skip Polyester
Polyester is a form of plastic. The synthetic fibers used are made from petroleum. Similar concerns apply to polyester as with other plastics. It sheds microplastics and might release harmful chemicals. Polyester is not sustainable, even if it’s made from recycled plastics. Its life cycles are limited, and it eventually lands in landfills.
Nylon, acrylic and spandex are all types of plastic, also made from crude oil. They each have some unique properties that distinguish them from polyester. Nylon is very durable, acrylic holds the temperature well and became an alternative to wool, and spandex (also known as lycra) adds flexibility to any fiber, so we can have our favorite leggings. But they create the same set of issues regarding health and sustainability as polyester, as as their core, they are all plastics.
One of the worst types of fabrics are actually the fashion industry’s favorites – blends. Why? Because of the weave that combines different types of textiles at a microscopic scale, it’s pretty much impossible to recycle. That means it will certainly end up in landfill eventually.
IS recycled polyester better?
It might be controversial to some that I consider recycled polyester one of the worst fabrics as well. Many companies use it to brand their products as sustainable. For one, it’s still bad for our skin and health, the same way as freshly produced polyester. It still sheds microplastics during washing and enters our food chain systems and waterways, causing harm to wildlife. Recycling uses additional chemicals and water for processing and re-coloring, causing the same environmental issues.
It is better from a newly made polyester in this way: we have something bad on our hands, so it’s better to reuse it than dump it in the landfill immediately. There are no straight answers here. Perhaps in a better world, we would stop the production of new polyester entirely and reuse the one we have until we find better solutions on what to do with it in an environmentally friendly way.
On the other hand, as we consumers are still using recycled polyester, it is creating a demand from the perspective of the manufacturers, who continue to see monetary value in it and continue to use it.
As much as I can understand the complex issue of replacing plastic in various applications like food safety, medicine, technology and transportation, I fail to see it for polyester in the fast-fashion industry.
Toy Materials
Babies love to mouth their toys, especially when teething. I recommend sticking to toys and teethers made from natural rubber, cotton, or wood whenever possible.
I’m a bit weary of the silicones, as they don’t seem as stable as they are touted, and they are not exactly sustainable, as they do not decompose. Silicone absorbs tastes, and it might possibly leech chemicals as well, especially when heated. I think food-grade silicone from reputable sources is still better than plastic, especially if not used at higher temperatures.
For larger items, natural or wood painted with non-toxic paint is the safest bet. I’m not saying we should completely ban plastic toys, and if we decide to use or keep them (when gifted), it’s good to make sure they come from a reputable manufacturer that doesn’t use harmful chemicals such as BPA, BPS, lead, and phthalates. Unfortunately, many alphabet soup brands on the market have not been tested or are not held to safety standards.
Limiting plastic to larger baby toys they won’t try to put in their mouths might be a good idea. It’s worth paying attention to soft fabric toys, like stroller toys or lovies, often made from polyester. Nowadays, polyester can mimic very soft, high-end textiles, but at the end of the day, it is still made out of crude oil and chemicals.
Hygiene and skincare products
I know when most women become pregnant, we learn about some potentially harmful skincare ingredients that can be dangerous to the pregnancy and while breastfeeding. These include retinols, formaldehyde, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and chemical sunscreen. The list is extensive and there are many great resources like European Comisson ingredient database, EWG database, FDA, Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, some apps like Yuka.
Children, especially small babies with developing immunity and systems require special care. The list of ingredients to avoid is extensive. 1,4-Dioxane, bisphenol A (BPA), bleach, bronopol, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), chlorine, DMDM hydantoin, ethanolamines, flame retardants, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, nanoparticles, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), oxybenzone, padimate-O, parabens, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), phenoxyethanol, phthalates, polyacrylamide, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), quaternium-15, retinyl palmitate, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) & sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, phtalates, talc, toluene, tributyltin (TBT), triclosan.12 Unfortunately, not all the products on the market labeled as “baby” products are actually baby-friendly.
Fluoride debate
One of the controversial ingredients is fluoride use in baby toothpaste. Fluoride prevents cavities and helps remineralize our teeth. It’s added to our tap water in some states (New York does, but New Jersey doesn’t, for example). American dentists recommend using it when brushing babies’ teeth in tiny amounts considered safe13. But fluoride is toxic when ingested in larger amounts, and the concerns come from babies’ inability to spit it out14. In practice, pediatric dentists’ advice seems to be inconsistent, which adds to the confusion.
There are non-fluoride or fluoride alternative toothpastes available on the market. The most promising seems to be Hydroxyapatite. It is a naturally occurring in our body mineral made of calcium apatite (calcium phosphate). It is a key component of both teeth and bones and, as such, is biocompatible. Research shows its remineralizing properties are similar to fluoride. It is naturally whitening and safe when digested15.
Every parent should do what’s best for their children. As our water has no fluoride, I want to make sure my son’s enamel is protected. But I’m not 100% comfortable with fluoride for him (he loves to suck on his toothbrush), so we use nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste to brush his teeth.
Fragrance
The subject of fragrance is another one sparking controversy as well. As they are omnipresent in our lives, and a lot of them are marketed as a type of luxury, many people just don’t want to hear that they might be bad for us. But both synthetic fragrances and natural oils can be harmful to our health16 and environment. The product labels are not required to list the fragrance ingredients and sources beyond vague “fragrance” description. So we don’t know what exactly goes into them. Synthetic fragrances (and dyes) come from the same place our plastics and polyester come from – petrochemicals, which are derived from fossil fuels. This not only contributes to environmental pollution but also results in products that take much longer to break down in the ecosystem.
caution with Essential oils
Essential oils are unregulated, and there is no oversight to ensure their quality. We don’t know exactly how they have been produced and if they are contaminated with harmful chemicals during extraction or added for volume. Inhaling or ingesting essential oils in concentrated amounts can be very toxic, especially for the lungs17. Just because essential oils are natural, doesn’t mean that they are not toxic. Just like not all the plants are safe to consume or rub on our skin. We can drink lemonade, but lemon juice on our skin with sun exposure can cause severe burns.
Both synthetic fragrances and mixed essential oils can release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that evaporate at room temperature and are highly toxic to human health and the environment.
I pretty much stopped using perfumes when my son was born, as I was told natural mom smell is very important for newborns to bond and be comforted, and that the highly concentrated perfumes might be harmful for their developing sense of smell. I still use them from time to time, but very rarely. We switched to non scented laundry detergent, baby friendly dish and bath soaps etc.
Hygiene and skincare products, perfumes, and cleaning products are vast subjects I am not qualified to cover. But it is an extremely important part of our life. I think it’s worth paying attention to what we are buying and using, limit products that have long ingredient lists with main toxic substances and fragrances.
Home goods
Building, furnishing and decorating our homes is a complex and difficult subject, because we can’t fully control all the materials in our surroundings if we’re renting or buying an existing apartment or house. The other factor is the extensive cost of healthy, natural, non-toxic materials, lack of availability, or installers’ knowledge on how to handle or install them. But we can choose our smaller scale house items like furnishings, bedding etc. Even though we’re not in direct contact (we don’t ingest or rub them on our skin) with most of these materials, they affect our air quality.
We should be careful when choosing materials like PVC flooring, vinyl flooring (even if it’s lower in VOCs and off-gassing, it can still be toxic), lead paints, vinyl wallcoverings (like peel-and-stick), composite wood, polyester fabrics, and carpets with stain protectors that use PFAS, polyester carpets, polyester, and microfibre bedding and towels. One of my pet peeves is satin, often used for sheets and pillowcases, which many people confuse with silk, but again, it’s just plastic.
It’s pretty much impossible to have a 100% toxin free home, but I believe focusing on areas of most significant impact like our bedding or carpets that our children crawl on, paints etc. and just having the right knowledge when we’re renovating our houses to choose more sustainable and healthy products wherever we can, can be beneficial to our health and make a positive impact.
Time-tested materials like cotton bedding, wool carpets, metal, clay, ceramic, sustainably produced and naturally finished wood, stone, brick, paper, and glass are still widely available, new or used, and are just as, if not more, beautiful.
Final thoughts
I don’t know if I am ready to clean my house with vinegar as my mom did when I was growing up because I always hated the smell. But I appreciate what she did now more than ever. And growing up in times where natural products were the standard, not a luxury. I’m trying to limit polyester, plastics and harmful chemicals in our house. Building a more healthy environment makes me feel good that I can offer something valuable to my child. It is a journey, and we’re taking it step by step, but I think it is and will be worth it.
It’s not like we don’t have alternatives. We used metal, glass, rubber, wood, paper, cotton, ceramics, and many other natural materials for centuries until 30-70 years ago. But the inexpensive nature of plastic made them all more exclusive and expensive by comparison. We cannot go back in time. But we can bring back that knowledge and craftsmanship. We also have bio-based, more sustainable, modern alternatives.
An elitist society where only the wealthy can afford not to use plastics is the solution. However, cotton clothing or glass bottles for our children should not be a luxury; in an ideal world, they should be a standard. But it’s a systemic issue that needs to be addressed by the governments. As individuals, for now all we can do is make informed choices for ourselves.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3299092/ ↩︎
- Asbestos and the law (United States): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos_and_the_law_(United_States) ↩︎
- Do I need to be worried about products on the market today containing asbestos? https://www.epa.gov/resources-small-businesses/asbestos-was-banned-do-i-need-be-worried-about-products-market-today ↩︎
- Public health impact of plastics: An overview. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3299092/ ↩︎
- Commission on Plastics and Human Health. https://annalsofglobalhealth.org/articles/10.5334/aogh.4056 ↩︎
- Microplastics in Every Human Placenta, New UNM Health Sciences Research Discovers. https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2024/02/hsc-newsroom-post-microplastics.html ↩︎
- Detection of microplastics in human tissues and organs: A scoping review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11342020/ ↩︎
- Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389421010888 ↩︎
- Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/13/2700 ↩︎
- Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2726844/ ↩︎
- Microplastic release from the degradation of polypropylene feeding bottles during infant formula preparation. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-00171-y.epdf ↩︎
- FDA list of GRAS substances. https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=SCOGS ↩︎
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentists FAQ. https://www.aapd.org/resources/parent/faq/ ↩︎
- Impact of fluoride on neurological development in children. https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/ ↩︎
- Hydroxyapatite in Oral Care Products—A Review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8432723/ ↩︎
- Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10051690/ ↩︎
- Long-Term Exposure to Essential Oils and Cardiopulmonary Health from a Population-Based Study. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360004529_Long-Term_Exposure_to_Essential_Oils_and_Cardiopulmonary_Health_from_a_Population-Based_Study ↩︎
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