Are Your Children Safe from Toxins? By Lesa Werner, ND I
n recent years, a number of studies describing an association between environmental toxins and adult heart disease, asthma, cancer, and other health conditions have made their way into the mainstream media. But how do toxins af- fect children? A study from the University of Alberta in Canada evaluated the effects of pollutants on children with congenital heart disease. Their study involved review- ing data from several metropolitan and rural areas between 2006 and 2011. The results of their research established an as- sociation between several toxins in air pol- lution and heart defects in children. Some of the pollutants studied included carbon monoxide, benzene, sulfur dioxide, tolu- ene, and carbon disulfide, which are often associated with car exhaust and industrial manufacturing plants.
While engaging in my own research, I came across a scientific review article pub- lished in The Lancet entitled, “Neurobe- havioral Effects of Developmental Toxicity.”
This article cited several studies that point to links between toxins and other child- hood disorders, such as reduced math- ematics achievement scores, increased ADHD, increased antisocial behavior, and lower overall IQ scores. More recently, another scientific review article, “Thyroid- disrupting Chemicals and Brain Develop- ment: An Update,” published in Endocrine Connections in 2018 describes a link be- tween pregnant women exposed to certain chemicals and neurological development during fetal growth. This study involved an analysis of several endocrine-disrupting substances including perchlorates, and phenols like BPA and triclosan. BPA can be found in some plastics, whereas triclo- san, an antimicrobial agent, can be found in some toothpastes, trash bags, cutting boards, and cosmetics. Recently, the FDA has banned the use of triclosan in some products, but not all. Therefore, if a product is advertised as being antibacterial, anti- fungal, or antimicrobial, it might be wise to read the ingredients to make sure triclosan is not listed.
Many additional studies over the past
20 years have determined that a variety of toxins can affect children’s health and cognitive development, both pre- and post- natally. As a naturopathic physician, when I hear a patient describe a “toxin” in their environment, my initial thought is to have that patient remove the toxin, and then have her/him undergo a liver cleanse to help support their body’s natural detoxifica- tion pathways. However, liver cleanses are NOT recommended for children or preg- nant women, nor are they recommended for people taking certain medications.
How Do We Protect and Treat Our Children from Toxins?
There are several ways you can reduce toxin exposure in your home, and here’s why you should undertake this task. By removing toxic substances from your envi- ronment, your liver has an opportunity to detoxify those chemicals naturally without constantly being bombarded with a never- ending stream of additional toxins.
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