Enough Already: Protecting Kids from Environmental Toxins

Every time you're fuelling your car or walking into your home and don’t have to worry about lead exposure, it’s thanks to my guest today, no less than one of my heroes, Dr. Phillip Landrigan. But the question still remains— how can you protect your children from environmental toxins? Chemicals are everywhere in today’s world, and it’s impossible to protect your child completely from the risks that they pose...but don’t panic! Dr. Landrigan and I discuss the 3 biggest hazards to your child’s health and what you, your community, and policymakers can do—starting today—to keep families safe.   

Dr. Landrigan and I discuss:  

• How to detect lead poisoning symptoms in your child and how often they should be screened for lead exposure  
• The two negative developments in today’s society that threaten to undo all the progress made in lowering lead exposure   
• How you can test for lead in your home and what you can do to protect your family  
• The known (and unknown) risks of manufactured chemicals  
• Pesticides in our food and the truth about GMOs  
• Keeping your baby safe from toxins during pregnancy  
• What's it going to take to make changes to public policy across the board 

Philip Landrigan is an American epidemiologist and pediatrician and one of the world's leading advocates of children's health. Dr. Landrigan was the first to document the effects of lead poisoning on American children, which led to the US government’s decision to remove lead from paint and gasoline. Dr. Landrigan has published over 500 scientific papers and has written several books for parents, including his latest, co-authored with his wife Mary Landrigan, Children and Environmental Toxins: What Everyone Needs to Know. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in to your body, yourself, and this podcast! Please share the love by sending this to someone in your life who could benefit from the kinds of things we talk about in this space. Make sure to follow your host on Instagram @dr.avivaromm and go to avivaromm.com to join the conversation.