Help reducing young children’s exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Belgian national awareness campaign, from April to May 2026, aimed at reducing young children’s exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Young children are particularly susceptible to chemical substances present in their everyday environment. The first 1,000 days of life (from pregnancy to the child’s second year) constitute a critical window for the development of the body and the brain. During this key period, exposure to certain substances—particularly endocrine disruptors—may have a greater impact on health, for example by increasing the risk of cancers and metabolic or immune disorders.
For this reason, the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, in collaboration with the Regions and Communities, is launching its national awareness campaign on endocrine disruptors from April to May 2026, targeting parents of young children.
Young children: a particularly vulnerable population
Endocrine disruptors are exogenous chemical substances capable of interfering with the hormonal system. They are found in everyday products such as packaging, food, toys, textiles, and personal care products. Exposure may occur via inhalation, dietary intake, or contact with the oral mucosa or skin. The potential health effects depend on multiple factors, including the nature of the substance, timing and duration of exposure, co-exposure to other substances, and individual susceptibility. Once they enter the body, these substances may have deleterious effects on health, including across future generations.
In pregnant women, infants, young children, and adolescents—whose bodies are still undergoing development—such exposure may have more pronounced effects. It has been associated with an increased risk of reduced IQ, autism spectrum disorders, diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, thyroid dysfunction, asthma, as well as other cardiovascular and neurological conditions.
Simple measures to make a difference
The campaign provides parents and caregivers of infants and young children with practical, easy-to-implement recommendations to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors in daily life:
- Prefer glass baby bottles over plastic ones;
- Use a washcloth, fragrance-free solid soap, and water instead of disposable wipes;
- Allow new toys to air out so that some harmful substances can off-gas, and wash them before use;
- Favor tableware made of porcelain, glass, or stainless steel rather than plastic.
These everyday changes can have a tangible impact on children’s exposure levels.
