A new study has found soothers contain BPA and other potentially endocrine-disrupting compounds that can leach out at low levels. (Image by American Chemical Society)
Endocrine-disrupting compounds, such as BPA, parabens, and some antimicrobials, have been shown to negatively influence hormones and produce harmful developmental effects. As such, these compounds have been banned from most baby products, such as sippy cups and baby bottles. But a new study recently found BPA, as well as other parabel and antimicrobial compounds, in 59 various baby soothers available for purchase in the US. Research also showed these chemicals leach out from the teethers into water. While the levels of compounds amount to a dose under the European standards for temporary tolerable daily intake levels, researchers say these standards account for effects of a single chemical, not a combination of several chemicals.
Authors:
Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Madhavan Elangovan, and Kurunthachalam Kannan
Corresponding author:
Kurunthachalam Kannan, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health and Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany, NY
Original paper published in Environmental Science and Technology on December 7, 2016.
