Toxic Exposure Is Harming Our Children—Families Deserve Justice

Toxic Exposure

Across the U.S., families are facing a hidden crisis. Unregulated chemicals—found in everyday products like food packaging, mattresses, plastics, and even children’s toys—are contributing to a rise in serious childhood health conditions. A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by 25 scientists warns of the urgent need to reform chemical safety laws to protect children’s health.

How Toxic Chemicals Are Lowering Children’s IQ and Health Outcomes

Dr. Philip Landrigan, pediatrician, epidemiologist, and director of the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College, recently spoke with NPR’s All Things Considered about the study’s alarming findings. He and his colleagues point to a 35% increase in childhood cancer rates over the last few decades and a dramatic rise in developmental disorders such as autism and attention deficit disorder.

Lead study author Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician, epidemiologist, and director of the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College, spoke with WBUR host Lisa Mullins in January 2025 on the links between chemicals and the decline in children’s health and cognitive function. A recent study published in Pediatric Research raised similar concerns.

“Autism now affects one child in 36, according to CDC data,” he said. “And a number of chemicals – lead, certain pesticides, ambient air pollution, [and] brominated flame retardants have all been shown to reduce children’s IQ, to impair their cognitive function.”

Another key concern? The risk of birth defects caused by exposure to certain plastic chemicals like phthalates. These substances can interfere with hormone function and lead to reproductive organ malformations and future infertility.

The Critical Window: Exposure During Pregnancy

Scientists now understand that not just the dose, but the timing of exposure to harmful substances is crucial—especially during the nine months of pregnancy.

“Even a very tiny dose at the wrong moment in early pregnancy can have very serious consequences for a child’s health,” Dr. Landrigan explained.

That means that even incidental contact with certain toxins—through food, air, or household items—can impact fetal development, potentially leading to lifelong health challenges such as:

  • Autism and developmental delays
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Spina bifida
  • Reduced fertility or birth defects

Where Toxic Chemical Exposure Happens

Toxic exposure doesn’t just occur in industrial settings. It often happens silently in homes, schools, and workplaces. Common sources include:

Everyday Products:

  • Plastic containers and food packaging (phthalates, BPA)
  • Furniture and mattresses (flame retardants)
  • Cosmetics and cleaning products
  • Nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics (PFAS)

Workplace Exposure:

Workers in certain industries face significantly higher exposure risks, especially in:

  • Manufacturing
  • Agriculture (pesticides like glyphosate in Roundup)
  • Construction
  • Chemical processing plants

Hazardous substances include:

Without proper safety protocols and employer transparency, workers can suffer long-term health consequences, including cancer, respiratory failure, neurological conditions, and reproductive harm.

How We Help Birth Defects Victims

Seek justice with the help of our experienced birth defects attorneys. Our birth defect litigation attorneys have represented people like you affected by birth defects caused by toxic exposure, aggressively fighting the corporate giants who failed to protect vulnerable workers. If you or a loved one was exposed to chemicals while pregnant and now has a child who suffers from a life-altering birth defect like spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, or cerebral palsy, we can help.