Warning: Babies at Risk of Ingesting Harmful Substances from Gifts
(Illustrative photo)
Babies often open gifts and put them in their mouths, making them more susceptible to ingesting harmful substances, according to warnings from the German Society of Endocrinology (DGE). The Society recommends choosing high-quality, tested products when buying gifts for babies. In a statement, the DGE said: "Many popular products - from plastic toys to dolls and electronic devices - can contain substances that disrupt the hormonal system." The Society added that the availability of cheap products, which enter the market without strict regulation, is increasing, emphasizing that "European and international research shows that products are regularly withdrawn due to high levels of harmful substances." Foreign substances or mixtures of substances that affect hormonal function are called "endocrine disruptors." These include phthalates, bisphenols, brominated flame retardants, "PFAS" compounds, heavy metals, and pesticide residues, explained the DGE. Josef Köhrle, from Berlin's Charité Hospital, stated: "These groups of substances can disrupt natural hormonal signals, even in very small quantities... This particularly affects children whose skin and mucous membranes are not yet fully developed." He emphasized that young children constantly touch toys and put them in their mouths, increasing their exposure to hormonal substances. The Society warned that these substances can affect growth, metabolism, development, and fertility. According to data, there are many potential sources of these substances in children's daily lives, such as plastic toys, baby accessories, foam products like mats and building blocks, electronic toys, clothing, blankets, and other textile products. Köhrle added: "We find that particularly cheap products bought online have high levels of harmful substances." In addition to buying tested products, the Society recommended avoiding products with strong odors, not reusing old plastic products, and washing or airing new toys before their first use.
