Kids And Health: Steer clear of these 3 substances

February 3, 2008:- With all the toy recalls this past year, it seemed that perhaps the safest thing to play with was the box the toy came in. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 20 million toys in 2007. Many of these recalls involved toys with unsafe lead levels that had been imported from China.

Clearly children are exposed to a variety of substances, and the long-term effects are not always known. Children are particularly susceptible to toxins. Their lungs, organ systems and immune systems are not fully developed and absorb higher concentrations of pesticides and poisons. Luckily, most exposures are not great enough to cause problems. Here are some of the more common substances and their effects:

Lead: Too much lead in the body can cause irreversible problems in growth and development in children, including behavior, hearing and learning problems and delayed growth. If you owned a toy that had lead, chances are that this one product had no effect on your child. My daughter had one of the "Thomas" toys that was recalled due to lead paint. We decided to simply remove the toy from the house. If you are concerned about your child's lead exposure, your physician can do a simple blood test to check. Home kits are available, but their effectiveness has been questioned. I would recommend talking with your pediatrician if you are concerned.

Plastic bottles: Also in the news a lot lately is the question of whether hard plastic bottles, such as baby bottles and sippy cups, contain a chemical that mimics estrogen and thus could induce hormonal responses. The compound in question is Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. There's little consensus right now. The FDA says products with BPA pose no health risks, while scientists feel there is a concern and cite that Americans have levels of BPA higher than those found to cause harm in lab animals. Some manufacturers are volunteering to stop producing products with BPA so if you are concerned look for products touting themselves as "BPA free."

Magnets and batteries: Not truly a toxin, the magnets found in many toys still can pose a real threat to kids when swallowed. Because magnets stick together, if more than one magnet is swallowed, they could stack together or magnetically join across loops of the intestines and cause serious problems. Swallowing magnets may cause symptoms of feeling sick to the stomach (nausea), vomiting, abdominal pain and distention, or diarrhea. Along these lines are the hazards of swallowing a button or disc battery. These batteries, which contain corrosive fluids, can come apart when swallowed and quickly damage tissue. Some batteries contain potentially life-threatening amounts of mercury. A disc battery can cause burning, corrosion or complete perforation of the intestines when swallowed. Damage can occur rapidly so immediate medical attention is important.

So what is a parent to do?

Common sense has to prevail. Even if a product is on the market, you can't assume it's safe. Just a few months ago, my wife came home with a popular new baby seat which we quickly decided was not safe to put our infant in and returned it. Interestingly, it was recalled a few weeks later because of it being associated with serious head injuries.

There is no specific product testing board for toys at this time, so you need to be smart. Additionally, even a "Made in U.S.A." label is no guarantee of safety; the item can comprise parts from another country or simply be unsafe. Until we decide if the U.S. will have a regulatory agency for toys, parents will have to be extra-cautious consumers. Check toys for loose parts and caution your child -- even older children -- against chewing or swallowing small pieces. Also regularly check recall lists, such as recalls.gov, to ensure you don't have, accept or give away a recalled product. If you ever have concerns about your child's exposure to a potential toxin, you can always ask for a reality check from your child's pediatrician.

The Consumer Protection Agency says these are the top five hidden household hazards:

Magnets: Small powerful magnets, if swallowed, can attract inside the body and block, twist or tear the intestines. If you think your child has swallowed a magnet, seek medical attention immediately.

Recalled products: Be aware of the latest safety recalls and get dangerous products out of the home. Sign up for recall notices now at cpsc.gov.

Windows: To prevent strangulation use cordless blinds or install safety devices on blind cords; and install window guards or stops to prevent falls. Never rely on window screens to prevent falls.

Tipover: Kids will climb. Top-heavy furniture, TVs and stoves can tip over and crush young children. Make them all more stable by installing anchors and brackets.

Pools and spa drains: Suction from a pool or spa drain can be powerful enough to trap a child or adult underwater. Inspect pools and spas for missing or broken drain covers.

Dr. Robert Nohle is chief of pediatrics for Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative. His column runs the first Monday of every month. Have a question or comment for Dr. Nohle? Contact him at health~at~seattlepi.com.

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER; By DR.ROBERT NOHLE, SPECIAL TO THE P-I [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/349702_nohle04.html]