Indoor toxins can affect child health

Washington: In what could be worrying news for parents, a new study finds that children living in homes with all vinyl flooring or flame-retardant chemicals in sofas have higher concentrations of potentially harmful semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in their blood or urine than children from homes where these materials are not present.

The research was conducted by Duke University and study experts presented their findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C.

Researchers found that children living in homes where the sofa in the main living area contained flame-retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood serum. Exposure to PBDEs has been linked in laboratory tests to neuro-developmental delays, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disruption, cancer and other diseases.

Children from homes that had vinyl flooring in all areas were found to have concentrations of benzyl butyl phthalate metabolite in their urine that were 15 times higher than those in children living with no vinyl flooring. Benzyl butyl phthalate has been linked to respiratory disorders, skin irritations, multiple myeolma and reproductive disorders.

Speaking about it, lead author of the study Heather Stapleton said, “SVOCs are widely used in electronics, furniture and building materials and can be detected in nearly all indoor environments," adding, "Human exposure to them is widespread, particularly for young children who spend most of their time indoors and have greater exposure to chemicals found in household dust."