Babies being ‘exposed to brain-harming chemicals while asleep’ – as scientists urge 3 ways to reduce kids’ exposure
BABIES are being exposed to brain-harming chemicals while asleep, warns new research.
Harmful substances have been detected in children’s mattresses and bedrooms.
Babies and young children may breathe and absorb plasticisers called phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals from their mattresses while they sleep, say scientists.
Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada warned that the chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems – including asthma, hormone disruption, and even cancer.
Senior author Professor Miriam Diamond said: “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.
“This is a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our children’s beds are safe and support healthy brain development.”
The Canadian researchers conducted two studies, published in the journals Environmental Science and Technology plus Environmental Science and Technology Letters.
For the first study, the team measured chemical concentrations in 25 bedrooms of children aged six months to four-years-old.
The researchers 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.
In a companion study, the team tested 16 newly purchased children’s mattresses and confirmed that they are likely the major source of those chemicals in children’s sleeping environments.
When the researchers simulated a child’s body temperature and weight on the mattresses, chemical emissions increased “substantially” – as much as by several times.
The mattresses were bought in Canada, but most contained materials originating from other countries including the United States and Mexico.
The research team said the phthalates and organophosphate ester flame retardants measured in the study are hormone disruptors and linked to neurological issues – including learning disorders, reduced IQ scores, behavioural problems, and impaired memory.
Some are also linked to childhood asthma and cancer. Several UV-filters are hormone disruptors.
The researchers explained that children are uniquely vulnerable to exposure, given that they are still developing, have hand-to-mouth behaviours, and have breathing rates 10 times higher than adults.
Youngsters also have more permeable skin and three times the skin surface area relative to their body weight than adults, according to the findings.
The research team said the high levels of flame retardants in most of the mattresses tested were puzzling, given the chemicals are not necessary to pass neither Canadian nor US mattress flammability standards.
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.
Study co-author Dr Arlene Blum, executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute, said: “Parents should be able to lay their children down for sleep knowing they are safe and snug.
“Flame retardants have a long history of harming our children’s cognitive function and ability to learn.”
She added: “It’s concerning that these chemicals are still being found in children’s mattresses even though we know they have no proven fire-safety benefit, and aren’t needed to comply with flammability standards.”
The research team is calling for manufacturers to be more vigilant about the chemicals in children’s mattresses through testing.
They say further, stronger regulations on the use of flame retardants and phthalate plasticisers in children’s mattresses are needed.
The team recommend extending restrictions on certain plasticisers from toys and objects to include mattresses and other bedding items and to pass long-proposed restrictions on two flame retardants.
They said parents can take action to reduce their children’s exposure by doing the following…
The three ways to reduce kids' exposure to chemicals in mattresses
1. Keep it simple
Remove excess bedding like pillows, blankets, and toys. A more minimal sleep space can reduce chemical exposure.
2. Wash regularly
Clean bedding and pyjamas often – they act as a barrier between your child and the mattress.
3. Go natural
Choose undyed or neutral-coloured fabrics. Bright colours often require chemical additives that can release harmful particles.