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Silicone wristbands capture the extent of chemical exposure among Uruguayan children
Reviewed by Emily Henderson, B.Sc.Jul 20 2020
Millions of children fail to reach their developmental potential worldwide, in part due to higher rates of exposure to current and legacy pollutants.
Researchers studying chemical exposures among children in Uruguay turned to an unlikely data collection device as part of a recent study: silicone wristbands.
These wristbands -- the kind many people around the world wear to show their support for a cause or organization -- are extremely effective in capturing certain types of harmful chemicals, and they're easy for children to wear.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo and the Catholic University of Uruguay used the wristbands to examine the extent of chemical exposure among a small group of children in Montevideo, Uruguay. The 6- to 8-year-olds wore the bands for seven days. After analyzing the wristbands, researchers found an average of 13 pollutants in each one collected. Some of the wristbands showed exposure to DDT, a harmful pesticide that has been banned for use in many countries, including the U.S., since the 1970s.
More:
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20200720/Silicone-wristbands-capture-the-extent-of-chemical-exposure-among-Uruguayan-children.aspx
