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 Popular Articles: |
![Image: 101 Non Toxic Toys [Kindle Edition], by Mathew Bausman (Author). Publication Date: July 18, 2013](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t41JO043L.jpg "101 Non Toxic Toys [Kindle Edition], by Mathew Bausman (Author). Publication Date: July 18, 2013")
101 Non Toxic Toys |
In May, a national Symposium on Child Health was held, entitled What on Earth
. This symposium, held in Ottawa, Ontario, was presented by the Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH), and dealt with environmental contaminants and the implications on child health. The primary focus of the symposium was Susceptibility of Children - Children are Different
. That is, as Dr. Graham Chance, Chairman of CICH states, Children are not small adults
There are three fundamental differences between children and adults.
• Developmentally: Children's immature systems, including the brain, lungs, reproductive organs and immune system enhance vulnerability to results of exposure, to noxious agents. Development of a child occurs past the fetal stage, into infancy, early life, while the brain continues to develop through the teen years. Exposure to low/moderate levels of toxins have caused neurological and nero-developmental abnormalities which can affect a child for life, while the same exposure may not have the same effect on a mature adult system.
• Physiologically: Chemicals are absorbed into the body through barriers, such as the skin, gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. The physiologic immaturity of these barriers enhances the child's vulnerability, by allowing the passage of more toxicants into the body of a child than that of an adult. In addition, the distribution, metabolizing and excretion of the compounds are managed less efficiently in a child's body than an adults.
• Behaviorally: Children differ behaviorally from adults. It is, in part, these differences that enhance child susceptibility to many environmental contaminants. For example, toddlers and young children spend most of their indoor time at or near floor level. It is at this level that breathing spaces have higher concentrations of toxic ants and where ventilation is the poorest. Likewise, because of the vertical pollution gradient (breathing zone) of children, they are more prone to hazards of the environment such as pesticides, formaldehydes (furniture's), moulds and fungi (carpeting) and various allergens including dust. The breathing zone is extremely important as children spend much of their time at recreational areas which contain various contaminants, i.e. swimming pools (chlorination), ice rinks (carbon monoxide, nitrous dioxide), parks and playgrounds (pesticides). As well, children consume a greater amount of fruits and vegetables than adults, thus they are exposed to higher levels of pesticides and chemicals in foods.
By Colleen Pawlychka
President AHEHA Manitoba Newsletter
Toys That Kill |
Health officials will investigate claims by Greenpeace that vinyl toys and other children's products contain hazardous levels of lead and cadmium. The Greenpeace study found high levels of lead and cadmium in a variety of products made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, also known as vinyl. The products included toys, raincoats, backpacks, key rings, and phone cords. Lead has been linked to reduced intelligence. Cadmium can cause liver damage.
- Globe and Mail, October 7, 1997
• FDA Warns Of Teething Products Containing High Levels Of Toxic Substance - January 2017
• Teething On Toxins: In Search Of Regulatory Solutions For Toys And Cosmetics - Spring, 2009
• A Letter from Raffi: The Non-Toxic Toy Box - December 2000
• Generation Green's Guide to PVC-free toys - Summary of Toy Manufacturers' Position on PVC plastic and Phthalates in Toys - December 1998
• European Parliment Demands Full Ban on Soft PVC Toys - July 2000
• Mothering's Toxic Toy Story - September/October 1998
• The Cranky Consumer: The Toxic Toy Story - April/May 1998
• PVC Toys: Santa Returns Hazardous PVC Toys to Industry Leaders - November 1997
This article compliments of Born to Love.
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Born to Love articles are written by Catherine McDiarmid-Watt
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Last updated - April 5, 2024
