Chronic Illness in Children Linked to Harmful Ingredients

Young children are uniquely vulnerable to chemical exposures and are affected more severely than adults. Not only are they exposed to higher doses than adults due to the difference in body weight, but their rapidly growing bodies and organs are more susceptible to injury and illness than stronger, more fully developed bodies.

"Worldwide, at least 7.9 million people are born each year with a birth defect. Of the children affected by birth defects, at least 3.3 million die each year before age 5, and about 3.2 million of surviving children could be mentally or physically disabled for life. Currently the causes of only about 30% of birth defects are even somewhat well understood." - Global Report on Birth Defects: The Hidden Toll of Dying and Disabled Children

While there is no single, universal definition of "birth defect," many scientists include not only obvious problems in physical formation, but any defects that result in decreased physical or mental abilities. This term may seem ill-fitted when used to describe children with acute allergies, asthma, ADHD, or a weakened immune system. However, researchers are discovering strong evidences that these types of health conditions may occur for reasons almost identical to those that cause more obvious and easily recognized birth defects.

There is little research to indicate how many of the almost 8 million incidences of birth defects occurring each year are attributed to environmental influences. However, information is beginning to surface that suggests there are numerous diseases that may be directly related to immune system damage and that this damage most likely occurred extremely early in life or prior to birth. These diseases include allergies, asthma, type 1 diabetes, atherosclerosis, leukemia and autism.

President Obama's Cancer Panel strongly advised him "to use the power of your office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air..." The panel emphasized the devastation suffered by Americans concerning the impact of these chemicals on the health of adults and children alike. They also went on to stress the dramatic increase of health care costs and the diminished productivity of Americans resulting from these illnesses.

Although the panel has existed since 1971, the recent 240-page report issued is the first of its kind. Panel members state in a letter to President Obama that carcinogens and other chemicals known to cause illness have not been adequately addressed in the past and strongly urge him to make doing so a priority. They go on to state that, "The American people - even before they are born - are bombarded continually with myriad combinations of these dangerous exposures."

Richard Clapp, a professor of environmental health at Boston University's School of Public Health considers the report a definite step in the right direction for America. He states that "known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for tens of thousands of excess cancer cases each year. It is unconscionable not to implement policy changes that we know will prevent sickness and death."

It is long past time for action on the part of our industries and our government concerning the health implications of the chemicals to which Americans are exposed on a daily basis. Consumers working toward eliminating dangerous ingredients from their home products, cosmetics, and even clothing often feel as though they are fighting a battle that simply cannot be won. How many dozens of products get discarded once conscientious shoppers realize they contain dangerous ingredients? New, "healthier" replacements are then purchased. Unfortunately, days, weeks or months later these new, "safer" choices are condemned by emerging research findings also - and the never-ending cycle continues.

Meaningful, scientifically supported guidelines are needed that will hold the manufacturers of household and personal care products to a standard that places a priority on the health and safety of consumers. The process of ingredient selection based on what is cheapest, ,most readily available and promises the longest shelf-life has resulted in a marketplace flooded with dangerous, toxic, health compromising products that are clearly and undeniably linked to some of the most devastating illnesses suffered by Americans of all ages. This trend will continue to worsen until open, honest admission of the links between exposures and resulting illnesses is followed by deliberate and meaningful policy changes.