I’m a fan of “Science Fridays” on NPR and so I’m going to piggyback on the idea and implement my own, similar idea. Since my son has cornered the Friday posts with his Green Tip of the Week, I’m going to launch the Raising Them Green Science Wednesdays. On 
Wednesdays, I’m going to focus on posts that fit in the Science of Green category. Today’s topic is NICU infants and the risk that they face from the use of plastics in the products that save their lives.
I find it rather fitting that the source for this week’s story comes from NPR, the same force behind the idea for Science Wednesdays. On yesterday’s edition of All Things Considered, Jon Hamilton’s report, Surrounded by Plastic, NICU Infants Tested for Risk, looked at the possible risks that newborns may face from phthalates.
“Scientists say the nation’s sickest newborns are exposed to unusually high levels of phthalates — chemicals in plastics that can mimic hormones — because they often spend days or weeks connected to feeding tubes, breathing tubes and intravenous lines made of plastic. And the exposure comes at a critical time in human development.” Source: NPR
The report shows that tubes, bags, and other products that literally save these infant’s lives could also leave a lifelong and lasting negative effect. Phthalate exposure is linked to changes in sexual development and possibly reproductive problems.
At this point, the discussion is all really conjecture. It would be difficult to set up a comprehensive study, complete with a control population, at this time. Although a large-scale study may not be in the works, it is still important to consider the effects that phthalate-containing products could have on this extremely vulnerable population.
Photo by Dave Q
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