Non-sustainable packaging is a growing health concern for young children. Many people know about the risks of plastic byproducts like microplastics. But it’s alarming to see these chemicals affect early development. A new study shows just how widespread this problem has become.
The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology. Researchers tested urine from 201 children aged 2 to 4. They looked for 111 different chemicals across many product types. The results showed high levels of chemical exposure in these young children.
Ninety-six chemicals were found in at least five children. Forty-eight chemicals showed up in more than half of the participants. Thirty-four chemicals were found in over 90% of the children tested. Nine of these chemicals are not tracked by national health surveys.
These results suggest key exposures may go undetected by current programs. Young children are being exposed to a wide range of harmful substances. More monitoring and safer packaging choices are urgently needed to protect their health.