Show 1398: Protecting Children from the Perils of Plastic

This week, we talk with the People’s Pharmacy Pediatrician, Dr. Alan Greene, about the incredible proliferation of plastic particles in our environment and our bodies. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies and brains are still developing. Find out about protecting children from plastic microparticles.

You could listen through your local public radio station or get the live stream at 7 am EDT on your computer or smart phone (wunc.org). Here is a link so you can find which stations carry our broadcast. If you can’t listen to the broadcast, you may wish to hear the podcast later. You can subscribe through your favorite podcast provider, download the mp3 using the link at the bottom of the page, or listen to the stream on this post starting on Sept. 9, 2024.

The Perils of Plastic:

We all appreciate the benefits of plastic. It is lightweight, economical (so long as you don’t consider disposal costs) and durable. No doubt that is why plastic has become ubiquitous in food packaging and countless other uses.

But what do we know about the perils of plastic? Several of the compounds used to make plastics are known endocrine disruptors. That is, they interfere with the way our hormones work. This is a particular concern for children exposed to plasticizers, as most are.

Chemicals are not the only way we are exposed to plastic, however. Recent research shows that microscopic particles of plastic have gotten into our bodies through the foods we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. They circulate through our bloodstream and have lodged in our organs. Researchers report that nanoplastics are found in arterial plaque, (New England Journal of Medicine, March 7, 2024) in our livers, kidneys, testicles (Toxicological Sciences, May 15, 2024), placentas and brains.  While the full implications of nanoplastics in our bodies are still not clear, most evidence suggests they do not benefit health.

How Can Parents Prioritize Protecting Children?

Younger people appear to be more likely to have absorbed plastics into their bodies than older folks. Yet we worry that accumulating plastic nanoparticles could be especially harmful to children. Dr. Greene offers a number of practical recommendations to help parents protecting children from plastics. We discuss how to recognize and avoid ultraprocessed foods, as one common source. (Limiting ultraprocessed foods also has other health benefits for both adults and kids.) Storing and microwaving food is another point where we can make a difference. Dr. Greene also recommends pacifiers made of silicone rather than plastic. Toys that kids will chew should not be made of plastic.

Treating Children with Common Health Problems:

On a separate occasion, we asked Dr. Greene about how to treat some of the most common health problems children may experience. We offered him a hypothetical trip to a desert island in which he would be responsible for keeping a group of youngsters healthy. (Dr. Greene is especially well-equipped to meet this challenge.) What medications would he need?

Allergic Reactions:

Life-threatening allergic reactions happen unpredictably in children. To address them, you need epinephrine on hand, either Auvi-Q or EpiPen. In addition, an antihistamine such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) could be useful.

Gastrointestinal Infections:

This is another common problem that can quickly become dangerous, as small children get dehydrated qui