Women's and Children's Health When we think of the nativity story, we see a couple with a modest income who want Mary’s child to be healthy and cared for, knowing that there will be great challenges and good things to come for their newborn. Every parent would like to make sure that their child is healthy, loved, and has a bright future. Children Did you know that children are more sensitive than adults to environmental contaminants? 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 child and infants are also highly vulnerable to toxic exposures as the 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. Women 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 Update Congress passed legislation to stengthen lead limits to further protect children from harmful levels in products. They also included a ban on phthalates in children's products. Read more here. Our health and livelihood can be challenged in a world filled with toxic chemicals that we are exposed to everyday. While we may never be “toxic free” there are definitely things we can do to make our environments less toxic. Visit the following sections to learn more about how toxics harm women and children and what we can do to mitigate toxic exposures. General things we can do to protect women, children, and fetuses Women should avoid or limit seafood and fish consumption 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. Limit your time outside when the air quality is very poor. Use clothing and furniture that contain natural fibers Avoid dirking from plastic bottles with the number seven. Instead use plastics with a number 1, 2, or 5. Do not microwave plastic containers. For more information 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 Read more about other environmental health topics on the NCC website Environmental Health- Home Toxics Environmental Justice and Health Children’s and Women’s Health Lead NEW Pesticides Cosmetics NEW Our daily Bread- Food and Health Plastics Mercury- Our Children’s Inheritance Air Quality Flame Retardants Take Action!