Ways to reduce chemical exposure during pregnancy
According to the ATSDR, there are a number of ways that vulnerable individuals can reduce their risk of chemical exposure.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid painting, as paint contains a variety of chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.
Dr. Landrigan told us that both women and children should also be aware of moving into older properties that may be decorated with lead paint.
"We have a big problem in the US with lead paint, so I would advise people to be very careful if they are moving into a house or an apartment that was built before the mid-1970s. They should get it tested for leaded paint."
The use of pesticides should also be avoided during pregnancy. When gardening, pregnant women are advised to wear gloves to avoid potential contact with pesticides.
Dr. Landrigan noted that women should also take their diet into consideration when it comes to chemical exposure during pregnancy. Although it is important that expectant mothers include fish in their diet, some fish may contain high levels of chemicals.
Dr. Landrigan explained:
"It is very important that pregnant women eat fish because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are very good for infant brain development. But that said, women need to know that not all fish are equal. Some have higher levels of PCP (pentachlorophenol) and mercury while others do not."
The ATSDR state that fish lower in mercury include shrimp, trout, crab, calamari and wild Alaska salmon.
Furthermore, Dr. Landrigan said pregnant women should eat organic foods when they can afford to do so.
"Very big studies have shown that people who eat organic food have 90% lower levels of pesticide in their bodies than people who eat normal pesticide-treated food," he added.
The future of chemical exposure
These tips may help to reduce chemical exposure. However, given the number of everyday products that these substances are in, it may be impossible to completely eliminate exposure to potentially harmful toxins.
But with the EPA funding more research into how these chemicals impact brain development, changes to US
Chemical policy may be just around the corner.
As Dr. Landrigan and colleagues have previously stated:
"Creating a new chemical policy explicitly protective of health could prevent disease and dysfunction in childhood and across the lifespan, reduce health and education costs, increase national productivity, and promote better health and well-being for all Americans."
According to the ATSDR, there are a number of ways that vulnerable individuals can reduce their risk of chemical exposure.
Pregnant women are advised to avoid painting, as paint contains a variety of chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.
Dr. Landrigan told us that both women and children should also be aware of moving into older properties that may be decorated with lead paint.
"We have a big problem in the US with lead paint, so I would advise people to be very careful if they are moving into a house or an apartment that was built before the mid-1970s. They should get it tested for leaded paint."
The use of pesticides should also be avoided during pregnancy. When gardening, pregnant women are advised to wear gloves to avoid potential contact with pesticides.
Dr. Landrigan noted that women should also take their diet into consideration when it comes to chemical exposure during pregnancy. Although it is important that expectant mothers include fish in their diet, some fish may contain high levels of chemicals.
Dr. Landrigan explained:
"It is very important that pregnant women eat fish because the omega-3 fatty acids in fish are very good for infant brain development. But that said, women need to know that not all fish are equal. Some have higher levels of PCP (pentachlorophenol) and mercury while others do not."
The ATSDR state that fish lower in mercury include shrimp, trout, crab, calamari and wild Alaska salmon.
Furthermore, Dr. Landrigan said pregnant women should eat organic foods when they can afford to do so.
"Very big studies have shown that people who eat organic food have 90% lower levels of pesticide in their bodies than people who eat normal pesticide-treated food," he added.
The future of chemical exposure
These tips may help to reduce chemical exposure. However, given the number of everyday products that these substances are in, it may be impossible to completely eliminate exposure to potentially harmful toxins.
But with the EPA funding more research into how these chemicals impact brain development, changes to US
Chemical policy may be just around the corner.
As Dr. Landrigan and colleagues have previously stated:
"Creating a new chemical policy explicitly protective of health could prevent disease and dysfunction in childhood and across the lifespan, reduce health and education costs, increase national productivity, and promote better health and well-being for all Americans."
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