Do you love lathering your kids with lotion to keep their skin moisturized? Beware, a new study has linked personal care products like lotions and conditioners with higher levels of chemicals known to cause hormonal disruptions in their bodies.
The study, published in the peer-reviewed Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, showed that lotions, hair care products such as shampoos and conditioners, and sunscreens contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals called phthalates, posing serious health risks to children.
A team of researchers led by George Mason University in the US examined urine samples from children aged 4 to 8 years between 2017 and 2019 and found elevated levels of monobenzyl phthalate, monoethyl phthalate and monobutyl phthalate.
These chemicals cause hormonal changes in men and women, increasing waist circumference and insulin resistance. They can also affect reproductive health in both men and women and also cause an increase in skin and respiratory problems such as eczema and rhinitis.
“These results can inform policy makers, clinicians and parents to help limit children’s exposure to developmental toxicants,” the researchers said.
Dr Jyothi Raghuram, senior consultant, general paediatrics and paediatric rheumatology, Aster Women & Children, Bengaluru, told IANS, “This is alarming because phthalates are commonly used to improve the texture and durability of the product, but their exposure has been linked to hormonal disruption in children.”
She noted that parabens and strong fragrances, commonly found in skin and hair care products, are a rare cause of rashes and can lead to breathing difficulties in susceptible children.
“At an age when the body’s hormonal systems are still developing, phthalates can negatively affect a child’s growth rate, metabolic strength and even reproductive health,” Raghuram said while warning parents to be careful of ingredients when choosing products for children.
“Avoiding products that list phthalates, parabens and synthetic fragrances and choosing those that specifically state they are ‘phthalate-free,’ ‘paraben-free,’ or ‘fragrance-free’ can make a big difference.”
She suggested mineral-based sunscreens and lotions made with natural oils such as coconut or shea butter as safer alternatives that provide the same benefits without the associated risks.
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