According to the World Health Organization, neurological disorders have surpassed all others as the top cause of death and disability on a global scale. Since 1990, the total number of DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) brought on by neurological diseases has increased by 18%. These DALYs include sickness, premature death, and disability.

A new study was published in Nature Neuroscience that examined more than 1,800 common household chemicals. The researchers believed there was a lack of research on the links between these chemicals and brain health. Among these chemicals, they found two that could be harmful: quaternary ammonium compounds, or “quats” or QACs, and organophosphate flame retardants.

Products containing quats include laundry detergent, fabric softeners, hair wash, sunscreen, baby wipes, shaving cream, and disinfectants from brands such as Downy, Clorox, and Lysol.

Organophosphate flame retardants inhibit the maturation of oligodendrocytes, brain cells responsible for producing the protective layer surrounding nerve cells; quats, on the other hand, kill these cells. The cells they kill are the ones responsible for the formation of the all-important Schwann cells that wrap around axons to produce nerve conduction and all muscular and cognitive abilities. Of particular note is that this destruction of Schwann cells leads to multiple sclerosis (MS).

When exposed to chemicals while they are still developing, they can have devastating effects on a child’s central nervous system, which is already quite vulnerable to environmental shocks. On a global scale, cognitive impairments like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others affect millions of children.

The American Cleaning Institute has indicated that these products are necessary to contain germs, mold, and viruses that are dangerous to health. As noted on their website, where members and their purpose are listed:

“The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) is the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Products Industry® and represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors.” They are, therefore, a trade group meant to protect the interests of its members.

Paul Tesar, a director at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a study author, stated that the researchers believe they have discovered a “previously unrecognized risk factor for neurological disease” due to the correlation between autism, neurological disorders, and disrupted oligodendrocyte distribution.

According to its authors, the research is preliminary and needs to be considered an initial scientific journey into the potential risks and benefits of these products. However, anyone wishing to protect themselves and their children from harm needs to consider even this initial research informative, and use these products prudently and should give serious consideration to any children in the area.

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