How cutting back on plastic use will improve kids’ long-term health

From their favorite teddy bears to the play mats they crawl on, from teething rings to sippy cups and bowls, plastic touches our children’s daily lives.

It’s the same for all of us. Plastics are everywhere. It is almost impossible to avoid their use.

However evidence The harmful effects of microplastics and toxic chemicals leaking into our bodies from plastic items are increasing.

Children are particularly sensitive to the effects of exposure to these toxins because their brains and bodies are developing rapidly.

What can parents do to reduce the risk to their children? Experts say there are many small changes that can make a big difference.

WA is at the center of a growing area of ​​research into the worrying health effects of plastic chemicals.

Pioneering scientists worth $10 million Reducing Plastic Exposure Transforms Health (PERTH) trial At UWA and at the Minderoo Foundation’s Plastics and Human Health Impact Mission we explained the problem and how we can help ourselves.

Neuroscientist UWA Emeritus Professor Sarah Dunlop, director of Minderoo’s plastics mission, conducted a study. review List of scientific evidence on the health impact of plastic-related chemicals.

“What we found was surprising. There are 16,000 chemicals used to make plastics, but we actually only know a fraction of them,” he said.

“The worrying thing was that every time we looked we found evidence of damage throughout our lifetime.”

These include bisphenols (such as BPA), phthalates (plasticizers), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

Professor Dunlop said there was evidence that exposure to plastic chemicals in babies was linked to premature birth, reduced birth length, head circumference and asthma.

Among children, there is a strong association with ADHD and autism, obesity and early signs of cardiovascular disease, and indicators of type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, he said.

For adults, the list grows with the addition of reproductive problems, hormonal problems, and various types of cancer.

UWA research fellow Dr. who took part in the PERTH trial. Andrew Lucas said his research showed people had low levels of plastic chemicals in their bodies every day.

“They are not individually toxic to any system or cell, but together because of continued exposure they can gradually exert their effects on the normal functioning and balance in your body systems,” he said.

Dr Lucas said there were windows of rapid growth and neurodevelopment throughout childhood.

“If you can provide a safer environment for a child during this period, at least you will know that his normal structure will most likely develop normally,” he said.

The PERTH case was published last month findings Levels of plastic chemicals in the bodies of adults were found to drop significantly in just seven days after reducing their exposure to plastic.

Immunologist and UWA clinical professor Michaela Lucas, principal investigator of the PERTH trial, said we don’t know what the “safe” level of plastic chemicals in the body is, but the trial offers a message of hope that we can actively reduce the levels in our bodies.

Dietitian Amelia Harray, a senior research fellow at UWA’s School of Medicine who also worked on the PERTH trial, said there was strong interest among parents in replacing items such as plastic water bottles and lunchboxes with glass or stainless steel.

“But there is a long way to go because the cost of some things, such as steel lunch boxes, is not accessible or affordable for many families in WA,” he said.

Experts said the public health crisis caused by plastic is not the fault of individuals and that it is the responsibility of the government and manufacturers to make plastic safer.

But given that the horse is already bolted and plastics are everywhere in our lives and bodies, it’s helpful for people to make changes to reduce their and their children’s exposure to plastic.

Professor Lucas said avoiding ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which are often individually packaged in plastic packaging and leaking contents, was doubly beneficial for children in terms of nutrition and exposure to plastic chemicals.

When it comes to plastic pollution, he said the health of the planet is inherently linked to the health of children.

“We need to protect nature in its own environment, because our immune system needs it to develop. The more plastic we have around us, the more we look at a playground made of plastic instead of playing in the forest, contact with nature is critical for the prevention of allergies, etc.,” Professor Lucas said.

Dr Harray said considering 50 per cent of children’s energy intake comes from UPFs, he advised parents to buy items such as chips or popcorn in larger bags rather than individual bags to reduce the amount of plastic coming into contact with food.

He urged people not to microwave food in plastic containers or containers and not to use any non-stick cookware.

“Stainless steel is the safest option we know of. Just go simple,” he said. “Replace the things you always use, especially kids’ lunchboxes and water bottles.”

Professor Dunlop advised people to avoid canned food because the cans are coated with polymer resin, which allows chemicals to leach into the contents.

He said it is better to wear clothes made of natural fibers rather than polyester, and since cotton can be sprayed with chemicals, it is better to look for the OEKO-TEX label, which indicates that a product has passed safety tests for the presence of harmful substances.

Dr Lucas said instead of occasionally eating the overly processed product wrapped in plastic, it was the constant exposure to plastic chemicals that was thought to contribute to the disease.

“In our study, we identified a group of people who did things in moderation, and they were the ones who were less exposed to these chemicals,” he said.

“So it does make a difference, but we can’t make people feel like their kids are failing them if they have some Twisties, but if they have Twisties in their lunchbox every day, I would advise against that.”

Sarah Barrett, a mother of two from Subiaco, said she has long used stainless steel water bottles and is careful not to microwave food in plastic containers.

“When it comes to other plastic exposures, it becomes difficult for a parent,” she said. “Plastic is a very useful material when you have leftovers to store or when kids drop things.”

But Ms. Barrett said she wanted to know the most valuable trade-offs, especially when it comes to food storage and preparation.

“This is definitely an issue where people are seeking information and becoming a little more aware that not all matter is created equal,” he said.

PLASTIC DANGER

Bisphenols, including Bisphenol A (BPA), are the main building blocks in many common plastics and are used as hardening agents in other plastics. Bisphenol exposure commonly occurs through the use of products including: food storage containers, beverage bottles, teething toys, coatings inside metal products such as food cans, polyester, and thermal bills. There is consistent and significant evidence linking BPA exposure to numerous health hazards in infants and children; these include: preterm birth, asthma, bronchitis, anogenital distance in girls, ADHD, renal function, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory markers.

Phthalates are used to make plastics flexible. Exposure commonly occurs through the use of the following products: children’s toys, clothing, food packaging, personal care products, and vinyl flooring. There is consistent and significant evidence linking phthalate exposure in infants and children to a variety of health hazards, including atopic dermatitis, anogenital distance in boys, fine motor and psychomotor development, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers.

PBDEs (Polybrominated Diethyl Ethers) is a chemical used as a flame retardant in some plastics. Exposure to PBDE usually occurs through the use of products such as textiles, car seats, baby mattresses, furniture foams, and paints. There is consistent and significant evidence linking PBDE exposure in infants and children to multiple health harms, such as decreased birth weight, IQ and cognitive development, thyroid function, and obesity.

PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) were previously used as flame retardants in some plastics, but they persist in the environment for a long time. PCB exposure often occurs through the use of products such as old electrical parts, old plastics, paints, and fluorescent lighting fixtures. There is consistent and significant evidence linking PBDE exposure in infants and children to multiple health hazards, including bronchitis, low birth weight, autism, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and obesity.

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), often called “forever chemicals,” are used in firefighting foams as well as coatings that repel water, oil, and stains. Exposure to PFAS often occurs through the use of products such as nonstick cookware, plastic food packaging, grease-resistant food packaging, cosmetics, water- and stain-resistant coatings for clothing, furniture, carpeting and car seats. There is consistent and significant evidence linking PFAS exposure to multiple health hazards in infants and children, including reduced birth length, reduced head circumference, thyroid function, atopic dermatitis, ADHD in girls, and obesity.

Source: Minderoo Foundation