For some time, building biologists have been concerned about the possible adverse health effects of bisphenol A, a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic (recycle code #7) that is used to make products such as baby’s bottles and the lining of infant formula cans. This fear may be well founded, as a draft report released by the U.S. National Institute of Health’s National Toxicology Program has concluded that foetuses, babies and children may be at risk from this chemical.

The U.S. based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has called for a safety review of oxybenzone, an ingredient commonly found in sunscreens and other personal care products including moisturizers, lip balms and lipsticks.

Researchers, who have studied the concentrations of phthalate metabolites in babies’ urine, have found that infant exposure to baby lotion, powder, and shampoo was significantly associated with increased urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites.

A study conducted over 2 years on 861 asthmatic inner-city U.S. children, aged 5 to 12 years, has found that  the children’s lung function was significantly reduced following exposure to higher levels of air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide.