Children in the United States are regularly exposed to dozens of potentially harmful chemicals long before they reach kindergarten, according to a new study of kids ages 2 to 4.
Jillian Frankel reports for People.
In short:
- A University of California, Davis-led study analyzed urine samples from 201 children and their mothers, measuring levels of 111 chemicals linked to health concerns including hormone disruption and developmental delays.
- Researchers found 96 of those chemicals in at least five children, 48 in more than half, and 34 in over 90% of participants — many at higher levels than were detected during pregnancy.
- Exposures came from everyday activities such as eating, breathing, and touching surfaces, and included phthalates, parabens, bactericides, and other unmonitored substances.
Key quote:
“Many of these chemicals are known or suspected to interfere with hormones, brain development and immune function.”
— Deborah Bennett, UC Davis professor and lead author of the study
Why this matters:
Children’s bodies are still developing, which makes them especially vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals. Even low levels of exposure during early life can have long-lasting effects, including on brain development, metabolism, and immune function. Chemicals like phthalates and parabens, often found in plastics and personal care products, are widespread in homes and daycare centers. Because toddlers spend time close to the ground and frequently put their hands in their mouths, they’re more likely to absorb these substances through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
Some of these exposures go undetected because they involve chemicals not yet tracked by national biomonitoring programs. Without stronger chemical oversight, young children remain at risk during one of the most critical windows of physical and cognitive growth.
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