Personal Care Products and ADD-ADHD
ADHD and phthalates: link or no link?
Importance of Natural Personal
Care Products
Biological Psychiatry, a medical journal, came
out with the latest news on phthalates:
phthalates are now seen as the possible culprit
behind attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). Phthalates substances that are used in
manufacturing personal care products
like lotions, soaps, shampoos and also in household
items like air fresheners and children's toys. While
studies are inconclusive, the
link between the use of phthalates and ADHD symptoms
has surfaced a few times.
The latest study showed researchers monitoring
and measuring the urine phthalate
concentrations of Korean kids ranging in age from
eight to 11 years old. The leading author of the
study, Dr. Yun-Chul Hong, released a statement
saying that he and his colleagues
saw a relationship between
phthalate metabolites in urine and the degree of
ADHD symptoms in 261 Korean children who were
measured. They concluded that the more phthalates
showed up in their urine, the worse their ADHD
symptoms were.
Research has established the link between
phthalates and disorders like hormonal imbalance,
respiratory diseases like asthma, and birth defects,
although other research demonstrated no relationship
between phthalates and health problems.
Nevertheless, the US Congress introduced a law in
July 2008 that would ban some phthalates in making
children's toys. The FDA, however, stated that there
is not enough evidence to link phthalates in
cosmetics and health risks.
Some companies have joined the Compact for Safe
Cosmetics and are listing their product ingredients.
Another organization - the Environmental Working
Group's Skin Deep Database - provides consumers with
access to the ingredients list of numerous products.
But at this time, the public has no way of
identifying the presence of phthalates in products.
Even the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act is limited
in scope. It requires the listing of ingredients on
cosmetics sold commercially, but the Act does not
cover individual scents and other products used in
spas, beauty salons and in similar places. Senator
Al Franken has proposed the Household Product
Labeling Act last September. If this bill becomes
law, all manufacturers of cleaning supplies will be
obliged to fully disclose all ingredients used in
manufacturing and must appear on the product's
label.
What Natural Care Products to Use for Children?
Now that you understand how harmful chemicals in
personal care products can be, there are
things you can do to protect your child. Buy only
American made natural personal care products
that do not contain harmful ingredients.
Here is a list of some natural personal care
products that your child can use.
The goal is to eliminate as many toxins as
possible from your child's environment. Doing this
by using natural chemical free personal care
products is a good way to ensure this.
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