Decreasing the Exposure for Your Baby
by Julie Dohr, MD
The US Environmental Protection Agency has a chemical inventory of over 10,000 chemicals. To focus efforts on reducing exposure of ones that could affect your baby’s brain development, Project TENDR (Targeting Environmental Neuro-Developmental Risk) was started.
Possible potential toxic chemicals:
- Organophosphate pesticide (OP) - found as residues on some foods, and pesticides used at home
- Polybrominated dephenyl ether (PBDE) - Found in house dust (old foam furniture), and in plastics for electronics and some fatty foods
- Combustion-related air pollutants - Air pollution
- Lead - In older homes and water and soil and in some ethnic products such as herbal remedies.
- Mercury - Found in fish (usually larger fish )
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - found in foods, some fish (bottom feeders), meat and dairy products.
- Phthalates - found in plastics
How Can You Decrease Your Exposure?
- Avoid heating foods in plastic containers
- Reduce plastic storage, and use of plastic straws. Glass is preferable
- Wash hands frequently, especially prior to eating
- Decrease use of scented personal care products
- Avoid foods, especially seafood, high in heavy metals (See the FDA's Advice)
- Be mindful of air quality alerts
- Choose "organic" food if possible
- Decrease use of chemical solvents in cleaning
- Damp-mopping can decrease dust in your home