Children are currently exposed to many unsafe chemicals. The child's nervous and endocrine systems are immature and still growing, and therefore much more sensitive and fragile to the many health disrupting factors inherent in today's world. Currently, the functioning of these two systems is undermined by all the chemical substances that contaminate us through food (pesticides, additives, contaminants: bisphenol, aluminum, etc.), air pollution (fluorine, mercury, lead, etc.) and those that surround us (fire retardants, varnishes, glues, synthetic materials in clothing, etc.).
If we want to protect our children from nervous and behavioral disorders, 2 measures are essential: avoid pesticides and food additives. In short, this means adopting a diet that is as natural as possible and mainly of organic origin.
Since the 1970s, there have been hypotheses (now scientifically corroborated) about additives and their combination promoting behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder in children (ADHD). These disorders are characterized by difficulties in concentration and behavior. The child has difficulty staying focused and attentive. He has difficulty completing tasks that are not very complex.
Exploit! After 40 years, in 2010, the European Union finally requires manufacturers to add the statement: "May have adverse effects on activity and attention in children" on the labels of products that contain the 6 dyes subject to controversy:
- Tartrazine yellow (E102),
- Quinoline yellow (E104),
- Orange Yellow S or Orange Yellow Sunset (E110),
- Azorubine red or Carmoisine (E122),
- Cochineal red or Ponceau 4R (E124)
- Allura Red AC (E129).
There are others, considered "at risk": E120 (cochineal) - E127 (erythrosine) - E131 (patent blue V) - E132 (indigotine blue) - E133 (brilliant blue) - E142 (brilliant green) - E150c and E150d (caramel brown) - E151 (brilliant black) - E154 and E155 (brown) - E161g (canthaxanthin - yellow) and E173 (aluminium mineral dye).
They would all be potentially neurotoxic (meaning potentially triggering hyperactivity or attention disorders, or in more serious cases autism), toxic for the liver and could contain carcinogenic residues.
Their association with other additives: benzoates, nitrites, nitrates, sulfites, disulfites, aspartame, glutamate and saccharin increases these health risks, especially since little is known about the cross-reactions and the cocktail effect of these combined chemical molecules. Remember that syrups and medicines also contain dyes.
As for pesticides, the list of their harms is already very heavy: reproductive disorders, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to the increased risk of hyperactivity, attention disorders and autism in children. Their effects on hyperactivity were once again highlighted in 2015 by a U.S. study.
In the year-long study, researchers carefully tracked the behaviors and health status of 687 children (boys and girls) between the ages of 8 and 15. They also conducted urine tests measuring the level of metabolites of pyrethroids, a family of insecticides widely used in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, but also in common anti-mosquito and anti-lice products used by individuals. Significant results showed that children with high levels of pyrethroids in their urine showed more behavioral problems (attention deficit with or without hyperactivity). The conclusion is clear: pesticides are factors that promote behavioral disorders in children and adolescents.
While it seems difficult to avoid pesticides completely, we can limit exposure by avoiding using them in our own gardens and vegetable gardens, by favoring fruits and vegetables from integrated or organic farming and by avoiding domestic products and insecticides.
Literature references:Melissa Wagner-Schuman, Jason R Richardson, Peggy Auinger, Joseph M Braun, Bruce P Lanphear, Jeffery N Epstein, Kimberly Yolton and Tanya E Froehlich, Association of pyrethroid pesticide exposure with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in a nationally representative sample of U.S. children, Environmental Health 2015