How to protect children from health-threatening PVC

PVC is an abbreviation for polyvinyl chloride. Plastic is an indispensable and important material in our lives. However, some plastics contain endocrine disruptors that can have negative health and environmental impacts. Among these, a plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is known to contain endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors can affect the body's hormonal system, resulting in abnormalities in the reproductive system, growth and development. In this article, we'll look at what endocrine disruptors PVC contains and how they can affect your health and the environment.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is primarily used in the construction of plastic products. However, PVC is not environmentally friendly and contains some worrisome ingredients. In particular, PVC contains heavy metals and endocrine disruptors, which can negatively affect health and the environment.

Heavy metal

Heavy metals are additives used in the PVC manufacturing process, mainly lead, cadmium, and mercury. These heavy metals are toxic and can be harmful to humans along with polluting the environment. In particular, heavy metals can cause a variety of health problems, including the nervous system, respiratory system, and reproductive system, depending on long-term exposure.

Endocrine disruptors

In addition, PVC contains endocrine disruptors.

Endocrine disruptors are chemical substances that can cause interference with the endocrine system, also called hormonally active agents, endocrine disrupting chemicals or endocrine disrupting compounds. do. These interferences can lead to cancerous tumors, fetal malformations and developmental abnormalities. Endocrine disruptors can affect the body's hormonal system, resulting in abnormalities in the reproductive system, growth and development. In particular, infants and children are more sensitive to endocrine disruptors, and long-term exposure can have adverse health effects.

For this reason, the use of PVC should be reduced as much as possible. Alternatively, you can protect the environment and health by making green choices, such as choosing materials that are environmentally friendly and safe for health, or utilizing recyclable products.

The dangers of using children's products

There are many children's products made by adding a chemical called plasticizing agent to a plastic made of vinyl chloride called PVC. Bags, bowls, toys, stationery, etc. are common objects in everyday life. However, this plasticizer contains phthalates, an environmental hormone that causes infertility and miscarriage, as well as heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, which can interfere with students' ability to learn and grow. In addition, when discarded and incinerated in the garbage disposal process, dioxin, known as the most dangerous carcinogen among artificial substances, is generated due to the chlorine component contained in PVC.

For this reason, the use of hazardous PVC children's products should be minimized. Possible alternatives include choosing products made from safe materials that do not produce endocrine disruptors or using recyclable products to protect children's health and safety through green choices. In addition, efforts by governments and organizations should be made to ban and regulate the sale of dangerous products, and to strengthen safety standards. We must take active steps to ensure that children grow up in a healthy and safe environment.

Protect children from environmental hormones

cottons

Children's products made from some safe materials do not create endocrine disruptors. For example, there are products made of the following materials:

• Organic cotton: Organic cotton is a natural material that is not treated with chemical pesticides or pesticides, so it is gentle and safe for children's skin.
• NATURAL WOOD TOYS: Toys made of natural wood are free of chemicals and provide safe play while stimulating children's imagination and creativity.
• Plant-based plastics: Plant-based plastics are made from natural corn or plant-based ingredients and do not create endocrine disruptors. Plates, cups and spoons made of these materials can be safely used in contact with food.
• BPA-free, PVC-free plastics: Some manufacturers offer safe plastics that are free of, for example, bisphenol-A (BPA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plastic products are safe to use without endocrine disruptors.

Children's products made with these safe materials provide a healthy and safe environment, and parents can choose these products to protect their children's safety.