Reducing chemical exposures that affect brain development
Modern environments contain thousands of synthetic chemicals, many of which can interfere with brain development during critical windows. This module examines the evidence on endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, plastics, flame retardants, and household chemicals. Learn which exposures matter most, how to identify them in your home, and practical strategies for reducing your child's chemical body burden without becoming overwhelmed.
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Every child is born pre-polluted with hundreds of industrial chemicals. Learn about biomonitoring studies that reveal what is actually in our bodies, why children are uniquely vulnerable, and the concept of the exposome that is reshaping how we think about environmental health.
Lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium are potent neurotoxins with no safe level of exposure for developing brains. Learn where these metals come from, how they affect brain development, and practical strategies for reducing exposure.
BPA, phthalates, and PFAS are ubiquitous chemicals that interfere with hormones and have been linked to neurodevelopmental effects. Learn where these chemicals hide, how they enter our bodies, and practical strategies for reducing exposure through food contact.
Flame retardants, formaldehyde, and other chemicals off-gas from furniture and flooring and accumulate in household dust. Children's floor play and hand-to-mouth behavior make dust a significant exposure route.
The products we use to clean our homes and bodies can themselves be sources of harmful chemical exposure. Learn which ingredients to avoid, how to read labels, and effective alternatives that do not compromise your family's health.
Your child spends more time in their bedroom than any other room. Learn how to create a sleep environment that supports brain development by minimizing off-gassing, optimizing air quality, and choosing safer sleep surfaces.
A deep dive into personal care products for children: why skin absorption matters, specific ingredients to avoid, safer product recommendations by category, and DIY options for the most concerned parents.
You cannot address everything at once. This lesson helps you synthesize the module into a prioritized, actionable plan based on your specific situation, your child's age, and the highest-impact changes.
10 questions to reinforce what you've learned
2 printable PDFs for this module
Start with Lesson 1 and work through at your own pace. Each lesson builds on the previous one.
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