Babies, kids' mattresses with brain-harming chemicals may raise health risks
Researchers has found plasticisers called phthalates, and other harmful chemicals in mattresses of babies who are likely to breathe and absorb these while sleeping, increasing several health risks.
- NEW DELHI — A
team of Candian 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 risks.
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- Researchers from the University of Toronto said these
chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone
disruption, and cancer.
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- "Sleep is vital for brain development, particularly for
infants and toddlers. However, our research suggests that many mattresses
contain chemicals that can harm kids’ brains,” said Miriam Diamond, Professor
at the University of Toronto.
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- “This is a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers
to ensure our children’s beds are safe and support healthy brain development,”
she added.
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- The review of studies is published in the journals
Environmental Science and Technology and Environmental Science and Technology
Letters.
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- In 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 beds.
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- In a companion study, researchers tested 16 newly purchased
children's mattresses and confirmed that they are likely the major source of
these chemicals in children’s sleeping environments.
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- When the researchers simulated a child's body temperature
and weight on the mattresses, chemical emissions increased substantially, as
much as by several times.
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- The 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 researchers.
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- Some 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 hand-to-mouth behaviours,
and have breathing rates ten times higher than adults.
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- They also have more permeable skin and three times the skin
surface area relative to their body weight than adults.
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- Flame retardants are linked to neurological, reproductive,
and hormonal harm as well as cancer, and also have no proven fire-safety
benefit as used in mattresses.
