Children’s health in the United States is facing troubling trends, such as increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and developmental disorders. Pediatricians are on the frontlines and in July 2018, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a statement and scientific technical report that expressed their concern regarding negative health implications stemming from children’s exposure to chemicals found in food and food packaging. AAP represents 67,000 pediatricians nationwide.
The AAP highlighted a few major chemicals of concern based on their ubiquity and toxicity: nitrites (preservatives primarily in meat products), phthalates (used to make plastic packaging), bisphenols (used in the lining of metal cans, toys, etc), perfluoroalkyl chemicals (used to grease-proof packaging), and perchlorates (used in plastic packaging). Furthermore, recommendations for families are provided to help them reduce exposure, such as avoiding plastic packaging, avoiding processed meat during pregnancy, and opting for fresh food whenever possible. On a more systemic level, there are also calls for the government to take action in order to protect the most vulnerable citizens through increased research and science-based regulation. Doctors also have a unique opportunity to speak directly to their patients about what actions they can take in their own lives to avoid hazardous chemicals.
AAP also included guidelines for the health sector on how they can engage families as well. Health Care Without Harm has been working on initiatives related to these chemicals, and applauds the forward-thinking stance of the AAP and the precautionary approach of avoiding chemicals of concern whenever possible.
[Source: The New York Times]