Our team at the Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) Research Program at UT Health San Antonio wanted to share these important external article:
“U of T researcher draws international headlines after finding children’s mattresses off-gas chemicals,” from the University of Toronto.
Many children’s mattresses contain concerning chemicals, often exceeding regulatory limits, and the compounds are released into the air when kids sleep on them, the University of Toronto’s Miriam Diamond told international news outlets this week after leading a pair of studies on the problem, according to a news release.
“We were really shocked to find what was in the mattresses,” Diamond, a professor in U of T’s Department of Earth Sciences in the Faculty of Arts & Science, told U.K.-based newspaper The Guardian. “The kids are getting quite a dose of this stuff.”
Chemical exposure and chemical intolerance (CI) is a big health concern for children, said Dr. Claudia Miller, allergist/immunologist, professor emeritus, and leader of the TILT Program at UT Health San Antonio.
“[You see this study] and then we wonder why our children are developing ADHD and autism at increasing rates? CDC just reported autism as affecting one in 31 US kids, up from 1 in 36 two years ago. Prior to World War ll and the introduction synthetic organic chemicals, including synthetic dyes and fragrances, autism was rare.” Miller said.
“Allergist Theron Randolph wrote extensively about the importance of these personal, indoor exposures starting in the 1950s. Bedding is a huge contributor—from chemicals released by today’s mattresses (sniff a new mattress inside its plastic wrapper) to the fragranced detergents people use to wash their sheets,” Miller added. “The nose is just inches away from the brain—especially close in children and babies—and there is no blood-brain barrier between the nose and the olfactory-limbic system. The limbic system, mood, memory, and attention.”
Miller urged doctors and mental health professionals to ask families about these exposures.
In addition, to spur awareness of the chemical-intolerance-and-autism connection, among patients, policymakers, and health practitioners, Dr. Miller developed a TILT Tutorial on Autism and ADHD.
The tutorial explores the growth of autism and ADHD in the United States, how these conditions are linked to chemical intolerance and TILT, how to understand TILT and its origins, and how we can reduce TILT – which could, in turn, help reduce the frequency of conditions like autism and ADHD.
“This tutorial contains information not available in any text. It makes clear the massive health implications of the interwoven rise of chemical intolerance and autism and ADHD, and spells out what we should do about it,” said Dr. Miller, professor emeritus at UT Health San Antonio.
How can you find out if you have chemical intolerance?
Answer these three questions from the TILT Program on Chemical Intolerance:
- Do you feel sick when you are exposed to tobacco smoke, certain fragrances, nail polish/remover, engine exhaust, gasoline, air fresheners, pesticides, paint/thinner, fresh tar/asphalt, cleaning supplies, new carpet or furnishings? By sick, we mean: headache, difficulty thinking, difficulty breathing, weakness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc.
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse or allergic reactions to any drugs or medications (such as antibiotics, anesthetics, pain relievers, X-ray contrast dye, vaccines or birth control pills), or to an implant, prosthesis, contraceptive chemical or device, or other medical/surgical/dental material or procedure?
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse reactions to any foods such as dairy products, wheat, corn, eggs, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, or food additives (e.g., MSG, food dye)?
If you answer YES to any question, take the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) and share the results with your doctor!