Green Baby Day calls for toxin-free future for children
Ahead of the return of Green Baby Day on 12 June, a survey by the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) has shown that 90% of parents are concerned about toxic chemicals in baby care products harming their children’s health.
As Green Baby Day approaches WEN is calling for a sustainable and toxin-free future for babies and children, in support of the 89% of respondents who believe harmful chemicals in baby products should be banned and the 77% who feel that the Government should be doing more to protect the UK’s infants.
The 2024 campaign – now in its second year – is calling for toxic chemicals to be added to the public health agenda to ‘safeguard’ the health of future generations – all part of its mission to empower parents to make eco-friendly, affordable choices for their children.
But a ChemTrust review of UK chemical regulations conducted three years post-Brexit reveals a ‘standstill’, with the UK ‘falling behind’ the EU in terms of protections against harmful substances and endocrine disruptors. “The UK is moving more slowly and showing less ambition,” states the report.
Helen Lynn, WEN health advisor, says the UK is ‘sleepwalking into the next health emergency’ with Government and businesses ‘ignoring the clear link between exposure to toxic chemicals and adverse health impacts for babies and children’.
“The developing foetus is particularly sensitive to even minute levels of certain chemicals that can cause cancers, birth defects and reduce fertility. The UK now lags behind in regulation of toxic chemicals and so it is key that we lobby our governments and policy makers to make the right decisions to keep us safe."
With the awareness day supported by Weleda, the brand’s MD Jayn Sterland adds: “Of particular concern to Weleda, as a pregnancy and baby skin care manufacturer, are the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) found in personal care products, which have the potential not only to negatively impact our own hormones (for example thyroid health) but that of future generations. For example the EDC triclosan can still be found in some antibacterial washes and oral care products – exposure during pregnancy is of particular concern as it has been shown to cross the placenta.”
A matter of public health
Green Baby Day 2024 will be marked by a panel discussion on 12 June at Amnesty International in London. Confirmed panelists include Suzanne Astic, policy and advocacy advisor on children’s rights and chemicals at Child Rights International Network; Seyi Falodun-Liburd, co-director of Level Up; Natalie Bennett, Green Peer; and Karen Joash, consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, and scientific adviser to Global Black Maternal Health and Tommy’s Charity.
The group will discuss why toxic chemicals aren’t already on the public health agenda.
By Rosie Greenaway, editor