Good chemistry in your child's everyday life - 0-6-year-olds and chemicals

Children aged 0-6 are not satisfied with just looking at the world. They have to touch it, suck on it and bite it. This makes them particularly exposed to all the chemicals that are part of our everyday lives.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency has put together some advice on how to focus on chemicals in your child's everyday life, both in relation to what your child is actually exposed to and how you as a parent should relate to it.

9 pieces of advice for parents

1. Look after your indoor climate – ventilate and clean
   Our indoor climate is actually one of the biggest sources of chemicals in our lives. It is therefore important to open windows and doors and let the fresh air in. Chemicals from electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, DVD players and games consoles are deposited in dust, so it is also important to dust and vacuum at least once a week.
2. Prepare varied food and only use approved kitchen utensils
   Virtually all food contains traces of chemical substances. The more you eat of a particular type of food, the more you ingest of the particular types of chemicals it contains. You can therefore help your child by giving him or her something to eat other than their favourite dishes. You should also make sure that you are only using approved kitchen utensils – that way you will avoid adding unnecessary chemicals to your food.
3. Buy Nordic Ecolabelled care products
   To protect human health, Nordic Ecolabelled cosmetics may not contain substances that are known to cause allergies/allergic reactions, or substances that are included in the EU's list of suspected endocrine disrupters.
4. Buy unscented care products
   Perfume is one of those substances that causes many allergic reactions. Perfume is also rarely necessary. If a care product contains perfume, this will be indicated by the words "perfume", "parfume", "parfum", "fragrance" or "aroma".
5. Avoid the most dangerous phthalates
   Phthalates are chemical substances that are used to soften the structure of PVC, e.g. in dolls and squeaky toys. Some phthalates are endocrine disrupters, others are not, whilst a third group is still under suspicion. The most dangerous phthalates are DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP, all of which are endocrine disrupters.
6. Wash everything new before use
   Clothing, bed linen and handtowels all come into close contact with the body. It is therefore a good idea to wash all the surplus chemicals out of them before you start using them for the first time. Otherwise, you will risk getting the chemicals under your skin.
7. Throw out old, soft plastic toys
   Since 1997, it has been prohibited to use the most hazardous phthalates in toys intended for children under 3 years. But what about those heirlooms? Big brother's Buzz Lightyear figure or sister's old doll with the soft cheeks? We recommend that you sacrifice them for a good cause!
8. Buy CE-marked and unscented toys
   Common EU regulations state that toys intended for children under 14 years must be marked with what is known as a CE mark. The CE mark is the manufacturer's or importer's way of indicating that the products comply with the health and safety requirements set out in applicable toy regulations.
9. Keep adult chemicals out of reach of children
   Always make sure you replace childproof caps on bottles after use. You should also place all adult chemicals, such as cosmetic products, washing, cleaning and household chemicals, and mosquito and flea repellents, out of reach of children.