Below
we reporduce an article by George Glasser and
Andreas Schuld of the Children's Environmental Health
Network (USA):
While
it focuses on the USA it is highly relevant to the
UK.
Summary
Young
children often stay in the bath from forty-five
minutes to two hours.
The exposure to waterborne contaminants in tap water
can range from chlorides to a multitude of chemicals.
Depending
on whether a child has eaten or if there is residual
food in the stomach, about 20-50% of orally ingested
contaminants are metabolized.
However,
with dermal exposure (ie absorption through the
skin), and inhalation, the contaminants are
absorbed directly into the blood stream.
Virtually
100% of the contaminants are absorbed into the
system.
While most of the adverse effects from chemicals
are well documented, i.e., occupational exposures
and/or oral exposures geared to adults, children's
dermal, inhalation or oral exposures are not considered.
Even
when dermal exposures are taken into account, the
fact that sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) found
in most shampoos, soaps and bubble baths is not.
Drug companies use SLS in medicines to enhance
the absorption of medicines internally and through
the skin.
Meanwhile
there are growing concerns that medical research
into the effect of chemicals/medicines on children
is based on the false premise that children are
merely small adults.
Most
toxicological data are based on occupational exposures
for adults. However
it's clear that a child's system is very different
to that of an adult.
Children
have a greater surface area to body weight ratio
than adults which is thought to lead to increased
dermal absorption.
Children's
tissues, organs, and biological systems are still
developing, with several stages of rapid growth
and development occurring from infancy to adolescence.
This
rapid development and immaturity of body organs
and systems predisposes children to potentially
more severe consequences within certain age ranges
and windows of vulnerability.
Another
factor that can influence a child's vulnerability
is that circulatory flow rates are generally
higher in children, which may increase a child's
susceptibility to toxic effects.
If
you are concerned about the effect of bath water
on your child check out whole
of house water filters.
Full
article
YOUR
CHILD'S VULNERABILITY TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN THE
ENVIRONMENT |
