PLASTICS AND YOUR CHILD

Nathalie Maitre MD, PhDAssistant Professor of PediatricsResearch Director, NICU Follow-Up Clinics Division of NeonatologyThe Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

DISCLOSURE INFORMATIONCENTER IN MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CORE NATHALIE MAITRE, MD PHD

o I have no financial relationships to disclose

o I will not discuss any registered brand products in my presentation

WHAT ARE “PLASTICS”?

PLASTIC ADDITIVES

= Potentially Toxic Yang et al. Environ Health Perspect 2011

HOW DO THE BONDS BETWEEN PLASTICS AND ADDITIVES BREAK?

ultraviolet (UV) radiation (sunlight)

microwave radiationmoist heat (boiling or

dishwashing) THE RESULT IS THAT ADDITIVES LEACH OUT OF PLASTICS.

PLASTIC ADDITIVES AS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCESPhthalates (PVC)BPA (BisphenolA)Styrene…

TO WHOM ARE PLASTICS MOST HAZARDOUS?Developing fetusInfantYoung child

HOW CAN THEY BE TOXIC?CarcinogensNeurotoxinsEndocrine disruptorsEstrogen ActivatorsInflammatory mediators

HEALTH CONCERNS OF PLASTICS :ESTROGEN ACTIVITYearly pubertyobesity sperm countsaltered reproductive functionaltered sex-specific behaviorsincreased rates of some breast, ovarian, testicular, and prostate cancers

WHAT MAKES PLASTICS MORE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR CHILD?

Heating (any kind of heat)Breakdown (the more they are

used, the more the additives leach out)

Harsh detergentsSunlight

HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHERE PLASTICS ARE FOUND?

Modified from http://blog.fooducate.com/

HOW CAN THE RISKS OF PLASTICS BE MINIMIZED?Eliminate as many as possibleReplace when possible with

biopolymers, metal, glass, woodIf not possible, replace with less

toxic plasticsLook at the recycling signs“BPA free” is NOT toxin free (and

sometimes not really BPA free!)

BIOPOLYMERS Wheat or corn based Used to make wrappings, containers,

diapers…

THE REALITY OF LIVING WITH PLASTICS They are everywhere and some may be

dangerous Try to reduce your child’s exposure Try to reduce the amount of dangerous

plastics in the environment Don’t always focus on them!

#1 reason for happy healthy children who have good neurodevelopment is a loving supportive family!