Why are so many kids being diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Dyslexia and PDDNOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)?

A growing amount of research is attributing this trend to the environment. Toxins interrupt the healthy development of children by impacting on nutrition, affecting levels of academic achievement, social activity and behaviour. These toxins have been studied since the 1970s, but the revelations are just coming to light. Grandjean and Landrigan say that more neurotoxicants remain undiscovered. If we are to start preventing these disorders, we need to be aware of them.

To Inform Yourself:

Book: Slow Death By Rubber Duck is a light-hearted look at common toxicities by environmental scientists Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, who offer solutions on how we can avoid them. The sequel, Toxin Toxout Getting Harmful Chemicals Out of Our Bodies and Our Worlds focuses on more solutions.

NOURISH AND PROTECT

Before entering into the arena of identifying all the potential toxicities that affect our own and our children’s health, one basic principle helps to protect health against all toxicities; superior nutrition. This can be assuring, as if your child has a dynamic nutritional and supplement regime, they are less likely to suffer the effects of environmental pollution.

If a natural wholefood diet is not possible for you, supplements are the next best option. Daily vitamins B, C, D, E and the minerals iron, zinc and selenium. If your child is chronically unwell, glutathione can be added. These nutritients help to neutralise and eliminate harmful toxic materials, as demonstrated by the conclusion of this study:

Oral vitamin/mineral supplementation is beneficial in improving the nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism, including improvements in methylation, glutathione, oxidative stress, sulfation, ATP, NADH, and NADPH. The supplement group had significantly greater improvements than did the placebo group on the PGI-R Average Change. This suggests that a vitamin/mineral supplement is a reasonable adjunct therapy to consider for most children and adults with autism.

Common Environmental Toxins and How to Avoid Them

Increasing numbers of studies are correlating childhood developmental problems with chemicals that are found in our homes, water, food and air. These chemicals are capable of drastically changing children’s lives. They can cause damage to brain development, contributing to a ‘silent pandemic’ of mental deficits that is eroding intelligence, disrupting behaviors, and damaging societies. Signs of real strain are appearing as schools and families are trying to cope with the extra needs of children. Up to 75 per cent of couples who have a significantly affected child, have relationship break-ups.

Symptoms of lead toxicity: Low IQ, behavioural problems, attention problems, hearing problems, kidney damage, delayed physical growth, aggressive behavior, difficulty sleeping, headaches, irritability, low appetite, energy, and reduced sensations.

What Can Be Done? Use a good quality water filter, buy organic food, check your water pipes, avoid old paint, buy unpainted wooden toys, be aware of sources of lead in your environment.

Symptoms of mercury toxicity: Developmental defects in children such as cerebral palsy and skeletal issues, where the growth of the head is limited.

What Can Be Done? Limit the amount of fish intake and avoid deep-sea fish. Anchovies and sardines absorb less mercury. Ask your dentist for non-mercury fillings.

What Can Be Done? Eat organically grown food. Use a good quality water filter. 

Symptoms of Arsenic toxicity: Reduced cognitive function in schoolchildren.

What Can Be Done?: Avoid insecticides, use organic body care products, avoid treated wood in food-growing areas and playgrounds. Wash hands before eating.

Symptoms of Toluene Toxicity: Toluene directly affects the brain and spinal cord. Maternal exposure has been linked to brain development problems and attention deficits in children.

What Can Be Done? Buy inks glues and eco paints with low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Use Toluene-containing products in open air. Wear a mask and gloves when handling and wash hands after use. Use natural essential oils instead of perfumes. Check labels for ‘fragrance’. Use natural products like vinegar, soda bicarbonate and specially made cloths for cleaning.

Symptoms of manganese toxicity: Difficult learning and memorising. It is linked to lower scores in mathematics, diminished intellectual function, ADHD and sperm damage.

What Can Be Done? Avoid spending time in high traffic areas. Choose recreation locations away from traffic pollution.

Symptoms of fluoride toxicity: Lowered IQ in children.  High levels can lead to autism spectrum disorders and other mental issues.

What Can Be Done? Iodine helps to protect against high fluoride levels. Ensure an iodine-rich diet -with seafood and seaweeds. Have iodine levels checked by your health professional. Use unfluoridated, spring, or a high quality filter for your water supply. Not all water filters remove fluoride. Have levels checked with an integrative doctor. Have regular dentist visits.

PESTICIDES and DDT – Insecticides banned internationally in the 1970s are still used in developing countries to control malaria. Humans ingest DDT from fruits and vegetables. DDT is endemic in our environment, with evidence of DDT residues from the North to South Poles.

Symptoms of DDT toxicity: Neurodevelopmental disorders of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease.

What Can Be Done? Drink filtered water, eat organic or home- grown food. Take protective supplements like vitamin C.

Symptoms of tetrachloroethylene toxicity: Hyperactivity, aggressive behaviour, increased risk of psychiatric diagnosis.

What Can Be Done? Buy clothes that you can launder at home, avoid dry cleaning and using industrial chemicals. Read labels and find alternative products. Keep women of child-bearing age and children well away from tetrachloroethylene-containing products.

Symptoms of exposure to PDDEs: PDBEs are believed to be neurotoxins. Prenatal exposure has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Children with high levels of PBDE  showed consistent developmental delays from birth until age six.

What Can be Done? While it is not possible to avoid exposure, it is possible to minimise exposure. Purchase eco bedding (suppliers are on the increase) and avoid foam products. Use recycled materials when renovating. Insist on frequent hand washing before eating in children. Drink plenty of filtered water. A diet rich in vitamin C and healthy gut flora aids the excretion of toxins. 

Sources:

Environmental Working Group

National Toxics Network

Consequences of prenatal toxin exposure for mental health in children and adolescents: a systematic review