Baby Products Give Rise to Reproductive Problems
“Baby products” like shampoos, lotions and powders may render exposure to infants to certain chemicals which already have a proven association with reproductive problems, a small study gives alarming news. This has thrown a new insight into the indulgence the contemporary parents display while using these baby products.
“Phthalates”, a component commonly used in these products is a group of chemical compounds which are mainly used as plasticizers, substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility. These are profusely used in cosmetics, toys and medical supplies. They are also used to stabilize fragrances of these products.
The recent study found the levels of these chemicals prominent in the urine of babies who’d been recently shampooed, powdered or lotion with baby products.
Some of the environmental advocacy organisations have shown aggression to these chemicals ‘Phthalates’. However it is still not supported by any proven scientific evidence to clearly enlist the dangers which are associated with the usage of these products.
Few animal studies have clearly shown an association between phthalates and the reproductive birth defects, indicating a probable occurrence of reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls.
Rigorous scientific evidence in human studies is lacking. The current study offers no direct evidence that products the infants used contained phthalates, and no evidence that the chemicals in the babies’ urine caused any harm. Still, the results worried environmental groups that support restrictions on these chemicals.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a ‘University of Washington’ paediatrician, said, “The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we’re commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects.” Sathyanarayana further added that babies don’t need any special lotions, powders and shampoos.
However the parents who still wish to go for such products are advised to seek products labelled “phthalate-free,” or check labels for common phthalates, including DEP and DEHP. Since the chemicals frequently used in fragrances are not enlisted on the labels that is where the fragrances, a common phthalate escape our notice.
Since the researchers of this study did not test the baby care products for the presence of phthalates, more research has been stressed upon to explore stronger associations with the developmental and reproductive outcomes.
Several phthalates have been found in urine from diapers as well as baby wipes. They also asked the mothers about use in the previous 24 hours of baby products including lotions, powders, diaper creams and baby wipes.
There is need of more medical evidences to strengthen these findings however it has already able to create an urge among the health organization to device new regulations for the cosmetic industry to produce safe products.
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