Children and other living things should avoid using plastic.
National Child Health Day, which is observed on the first Monday in October, serves as a reminder to put our kids’ health first. The famous poster, “War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things,” makes a clear connection between the need to safeguard our children from impending disasters and the necessity to end all wars. The poster was created during the time in opposition to the Vietnam War. After 70 years, we are currently fighting another conflict: the war on plastics.
The harm that microplastics, microscopic particles less than 5 millimetres long (about the size of a sesame seed), cause to ocean and marine life is well known. However, there is rising worry regarding their effect on our kids.
Microplastics have been found in commonplace things like infant shampoo and food packaging, which are subsequently absorbed by our bodies and found in human waste. There are severe concerns regarding the consequences of microplastics on the health of our children after a research indicated that newborns’ faeces contained 10 to 20 times more of them than adults’ did.
Here are 9 ways that our kids come into contact with plastics on a daily basis:
Putting on Plastic
When we buy clothing for our children, we unwittingly expose them to plastic. About 60% of all clothing fabrics used worldwide are made of synthetic fibres including polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which over time can shed up to 700,000 microplastic particles.
Wipes The nonwoven textiles used to make these wipes frequently include synthetic and microfibre plastics including polypropylene, rayon, and nylon. According to estimates, new mothers can use up to 30 baby wipes each day and as many as 10,000 wipes year. That amounts to 10,000 separate occasions when new mothers expose their kids to microplastics.
Glassware and sippy cups
Parents frequently choose infant bottles made of polypropylene because of its dependability and affordability. But new research reveals a worrying problem. These containers emit microplastics into the milk when heated, which might have an impact on the health of our kids.
detergent pods
Dishwashers frequently appear to be a saviour when it comes to washing the dishes left behind by our children. What if, however, we told you that this convenience has an unforeseen side effect that causes the release of microplastics into the environment? This leftover microplastic can adhere to your plate like glue, which means that every home-cooked dinner might come with a side of plastic.
Toys According to a study, 126 of the 419 chemicals detected in the hard, soft, and foam plastics used in children’s toys have the potential to be harmful to children’s health in either cancerous or non-cancerous ways.
We must constantly be on the lookout for the hidden risks of microplastics as parents and carers. Babies and young children are particularly susceptible to exposure, and our awareness and actions can have a big impact on how well they do. We may spare our kids needless harm by being knowledgeable about potential microplastics sources and actively looking for better options. The theme for Earth Day in 2024, earth vs. Plastics, reflects the struggle for the wellbeing of both people and the earth.
