Women's and Children's Health

Faith Connections
Jesus loved children and saw them as important (Matthew 18:2-4.) Jesus also teaches us to care for the most vulnerable. Every parent would like to make sure that their child is healthy, loved, and has a bright toxic-free future. In 2008, Congess passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that sets strong lead standards in children's products and bans phthalates in children's toys. Both have been linked to either intellectual or reproductive developmental disorders in children. There are many more chemicals that can impair the healthy development of children.

Children breathe 50 percent more air, drink more fluids, and eat more food in proportion to their body weight than adults. Environmental exposures that would not harm an adult can cause permanent damage to the developing body of a child. The developing fetus is highly vulnerable to toxic exposures as chemicals in women’s bodies are often passed on to her child during pregnancy. Until recently, scientists thought that the placenta protected the blood in the umbilical cord, from toxic chemicals. The Environmental Working Group tested several samples of “cord blood” and uncovered 287 chemicals; chemicals that affect babies before they leave their mother’s womb.

Chemical exposures can also occur through a mother’s breast milk. Today, synthetic chemicals are so prevalent in women’s breast milk that, if bottled for sale, most breast milk would not pass FDA regulations. While breast feeding is still recommended and is the best source of nutrition for building infant immunity, the quantity of chemicals in breast milk is of grave concern and poses an unnecessary burden on the developing child.

mother and child Women are also vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Women carry 10 percent more body fat than males, and even more when pregnant. Fat cells store toxic chemicals. Since women have a higher body fat than men, they are more at risk to toxics. A recent government study (Center for Disease Control 2003) confirmed that women had significantly higher levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies. Recent research indicates that breast cancer may also be directly linked to chemicals we are exposed to everyday.

Exposure to arsenic, lead, mercury, and air pollution can also increase a woman’s risk of heart disease- thenumber one cause of death for women. Alarmingly, African American women are more likely to die from heart disease, stroke, or cancer than women of any other race. While all women and children are exposed to toxic chemicals, communities of color and low income communities bare an even greater burden of chemicals.

Take Action

Women should limit seafood and fish consumption and avoid sushi while pregnant and breastfeeding. Download a seafood watch card for your region.
Eat organic produce or click here to learn what produce may contain higher levels of pesticide residues.
Test the lead content in your water. If lead levels are beyond acceptable levels, consider purchasing a water filtration system or ask your local government to replace the pipes.
Use clothing and furniture that contain natural fibers
Avoid drinking from polycarbonate bottles. Instead drink from glass or stainless steel bottles.
Do not microwave plastic containers.

Learn More

Julie Price, the Minesota United Methodist Conference Communications Assistant, highlights her experience with uterine fibroids and how she is addressing them through mindful living. Studies have found links between chemical exposure and uterine fibroids. Read the article.
Healthy Toy Database
Women's Health and Environment Initiative
Women's Voices for Earth Justice
Environmental Working Group
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Evangelical Environmental Network
Healthy Child Healthy World

Other Environmental Health Issues