A new study found that some chemicals cause different childhood disorders in children affecting their brains. The authors proposed that chemicals should be tested first before being used on different products.
Philippe Grandjean of Harvard School and Public Health and Philip Landrigan of Mt. Sinai Hospital worked together to continue their analysis of the five chemicals that they have previously found as toxic. In 2006, they named the chemicals lead, methylmercury, arsenic, PCBs and toluene as culprits for different brain disorders. Now, they are adding manganese, fluoride, chlorpyrifos, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), tetrachloroethylene (PERC), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Some of the listed chemicals are present in insecticides, metal cleaners, and cloth production. Flouride is a chemical present in toothpaste and is safe to use except for kids below 2 years old. However, in a separate study, the American Dental Association proposed to update the guideline to allow parents to use fluoride on their babies as long as kept within the prescribed limit.
The researchers argued that children exposed to these chemicals are likely to develop autism, ADHD, dyslexia and lost IQ points.
"Upsetting the careful balance of brain development can cause problems that range from a few lost IQ points to severe autism, " Landrigan said to USA Today.
Furthermore, they added that the exposure begins while the mothers are pregnant which can harm the fetus. The negative effects linger until birth.
Meanwhile, not all experts were convinced with their findings. The American Chemistry Council described the study "flawed" since the authors released conclusions out of assertion. However, they acknowledged that the existing policies need to be reviewed.
The study was published in the Feb. 14 issue of Lancet Neurology.
