Study links baby products to chemical exposure

04 Feb 2008

Babies may be regularly exposed to potentially harmful chemicals found in baby shampoos, lotions and powders, a new study suggests.

Research carried out in the US has found that elevated levels of phthalate chemicals were present in the urine of babies who had come into recent contact with baby cosmetic products.

The highest levels of the chemicals were found to be most prevalent in babies under the age of eight months.

Although further study is required to decipher the potential dangers of exposure to phthalates, the findings have raised concerns among environmental groups.

The study's lead author, Dr Sheela Sathyanarayana, a pediatrician at the University of Washington, said: "The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we're commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects."

Previous studies on animals have linked phthalates to reproductive, developmental defects.

She recommended that water alone or small amounts of shampoo should be sufficient for babies' hair.

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