Healthy Living

Chemicals and Children’s Health: What Parents Should Know

Children around the world are exposed to environmental chemicals and plastics every day, often beginning even before birth. These chemicals are commonly found in everyday consumer products, such as food packaging, household items, furniture, electronics and personal care products. Plastics also contain chemical additives, which can slowly leach out over time.

How Children Are Exposed to Harmful Chemicals

What makes children especially vulnerable to these exposures is their developing bodies and organs. Compared with adults, children breathe more air, drink more water and eat more food relative to their body size, which can increase their exposure to harmful environmental chemicals. Children's behaviors, such as crawling across a floor or "mouthing" toys or other objects, also affect exposure. As a result, contaminants can have a greater impact during early life than at any other time, affecting brain development, learning, behavior, respiratory health, immune function and lifelong health.

How Chemicals Affect a Child’s Health

Arsenic

Where found: Herbs and spices, ethnic home health remedies, well water
Possible health effects:
Anemia, gastrointestinal effects, poor appetite and weight loss, neurotoxicity and can affect a developing fetus and lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes

Bisphenol A, Phthalates and Phytoestrogens

Where found: Plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing, personal care products, thermal and carbonless receipts
Possible health effects:
Can interfere with hormone production and function (shown in animal studies)

Flame Retardants (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)

Where found: foam-filled sofas, household interior dust
Possible health effects:
Endocrine (hormone) disruption and developmental effects in children

Formaldehyde

Where found: Off-gassing from certain building materials made of pressed wood
Possible health effects:
Eye, nose, throat and skin irritation and can trigger asthma symptoms

Lead

Where found: Environmental exposure to contaminated buildings, tap water, imported herbs and spices, imported cosmetics, ethnic home health remedies, “take home” occupational lead
Possible health effects:
Neurotoxicity, developmental delays, lower cognitive function, attention and learning problems, behavioral effects, anemia and effects on bone growth, kidney function, immune system and blood pressure

Methyl Mercury

Where found: Fish and other seafood
Possible health effects:
Developmental delays, learning problems and behavioral disorders

Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Where found: Food, food packaging, carpeting finishes, contaminated water supplies, household dust, deteriorating nonstick-coated cookware
Possible health effects:
In animal studies: thyroid problems, metabolic changes, mammary gland abnormalities and tumors
In adults: increased cholesterol and uric acid levels, kidney and testicular cancers

Pesticides

Where found: Insect/pest control products
Possible health effects:
Neurotoxicity, bleeding, allergies and asthma

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Polybrominated Biphenyls and Dioxin

Where found: Fish and other seafood
Possible health effects:
Endocrine (hormone) disruption, associated with systemic health effects in children

Simple Ways Families Can Reduce Exposure at Home

Water

How to reduce exposure:

  • Run tap water for 3–5 minutes before using first‑morning water
  • Use water filtration or purification devices at the point of use
  • Replace older plumbing that may contain lead
  • Test private well water for contaminants every year
  • Clean faucet aerators regularly

Home Furnishings

How to reduce exposure:

  • Discard old foam‑filled furniture
  • Choose furniture without flame retardants

Indoor Pesticide Use

How to reduce exposure:

  • Avoid indoor pesticide “foggers” or “bombs”
  • Do not use rodent baits, sprays or ant killers where children crawl
  • Choose integrated pest management strategies instead

Food

How to reduce exposure:

  • Wash fruits and vegetables in soapy water
  • Choose organic produce when possible, especially when the skins are eaten
  • Choose organically raised, antibiotic‑free meats if affordable
  • Offer a balanced diet and a variety of grains (not just rice)
  • Ensure children get enough iron, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D
  • Follow FDA guidance on limiting fish high in mercury or PCBs

Indoor Paint, Plaster and Dust

How to reduce exposure:

  • Dust window sills, baseboards and furniture often
  • Damp‑mop floors regularly
  • Wash plastic toys frequently
  • Use a HEPA vacuum on carpets and floors
  • Cover peeling paint or chipping plaster
  • Encourage frequent handwashing
  • Remove shoes at the door
  • Have older homes tested for lead
  • Use certified lead abatement contractors if needed
  • Avoid renovation in homes built before the 1970s until they are checked for lead

Many everyday items, from food and water to household products and dust, can expose children to harmful chemicals. The good news is that small, practical steps can help reduce these exposures. By making informed choices and creating cleaner, safer home environments, families can help support children’s health as they grow, learn and thrive.

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