Aspertame, MSG and DEET On EPA's Developmental Neurotoxin List

A few years ago, the EPA began an investigation of chemicals linked to developmental neurotoxicity (chemicals that cause damage to the developing nervous system and are linked to learning, behavioral and other developmental disorders). At the end of last year, a list of these chemicals was released.

Great care should be taken to limit our children's exposure to these chemicals as they are the ones at most risk of harm. Among the culprits are aspartame, MSG and DEET. Additionally, a good number of these chemicals are pesticides, insecticides and herbicides.

An article published by Politics Daily, gave an abridged list of the chemicals with substantial evidence of developmental neurotoxicity, along with a description of each. I've included their list and highlighted the chemicals of which particular note should be taken with an asterisk.

2-ethoxyethyl Acetate - a solvent, used as a coating for wood, metal and other materials; sometimes found in cosmetics.

Acibenzolar-S methyl - a fungicide.

Acrylamide - a chemical that is produced naturally in certain foods when they are cooked at high temperatures. It is also manufactured industrially for use in the production of polyacrylamide gels, which are used for various purposes, including the treatment of drinking water and wastewater; and found in cigarette smoke.

Aldicarb - a pesticide.

Allethrin - a pesticide.

*Aluminum (lactate) - used in lotions to treat very dry skin.

Aminopterin - chemical originally developed for use in cancer treatment.

Arsenic - a semi-metal element, which enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the Earth or from agricultural and industrial practices.

*Aspartame - an artificial sweetener. (MY NOTE: This is found in many sugar free foods and rinks.)

Benomyl - a fungicide.

*Benzene - a volatile organic chemical, formed through natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires. It is also formed from industrial processes, and is used to make plastics, rubber, resins and synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke. (MY NOTE: Benzene can be found in juice, soda and food dye.)

Bioallethrin (s-bioallethrin) - a pesticide.

Bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide - a biocide.

*Bisphenol A - This chemical is the main ingredient in polycarbonate plastic, used to make water bottles, baby bottles and food storage and heating trays; and epoxy resin, which is used in the lining of most food and beverage cans.

*Butylated Hydroxy Anisole - a food additive, better known as BHA. (MY NOTE: Found in 285 products in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, including diaper rash ointment and baby sunscreen.)

*Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) - a toluene-based ingredient used as a preservative in food and personal care products. (MY NOTE: Found in 2,577 products in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, including baby sunscreen.)

Cadmium - a natural element in the Earth's crust. It is found in food, and people can be exposed from smoking cigarettes or breathing cigarette smoke or from water or industrial facilities which release it into the air.

Carbaryl - an insecticide.

Carbon monoxide - an odorless and colorless toxic gas.

Chlordecone - an insecticide.

*Chlorine dioxide - a chemical mostly used to disinfect water.

Chlorpyrifos - insecticide.

Cypermethrin - insecticide.

*DEET - a common ingredient in insect repellents.

Deltamethrin - insecticide.

Diazinon - a pesticide.

Dieldrin - an insecticide no longer produced in the U.S., but still found in the environment.

Ethanol - grain alcohol, produced from crops such as corn, used as a fuel additive, solvent and for other purposes.

Ethylene thiourea - an industrial chemical mostly used to make rubber products, but also in the manufacture of fungicides and rodenticides.

Fluazinam - a fungicide.

Heptachlor - a non-agricultural insecticide, whose use is now very limited.

Hexachlorobenzene - can be formed as a byproduct during the manufacture of chemicals used as solvents, other chlorine-containing compounds, and pesticides. Small amounts of hexachlorobenzene can also be produced during combustion processes such as burning of city wastes. Currently, the substance is not used commercially in the United States.

Hexachlorophene - a disinfectant.

Lead - This heavy metal occurs naturally in the Earth's crust. It was formerly used as a gasoline additive and was also commonly added to paint. Lead pipes may also contaminate drinking water. Currently, coal-fired power plants and other industrial uses release lead particles into the air.

*Lindane - a chemical used to treat scabies and lice.

Maneb - a fungicide.

Methanol - also known as wood alcohol, an alternative fuel, and other uses.

Methylparathion - a pesticide.

*Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - a flavor enhancer, used as a food additive. (MY NOTE: MSG can be hard to find on food labels, as it commonly is listed under different names.)

Nicotine - the addictive drug in tobacco.

Methoxyethanol, 2 - an organic compound used mainly as a solvent.

Methylmercury - a form of mercury found in contaminated fresh water and salt water fish. It gets into the air when coal, oil or wood are burned as fuel, or when mercury-contaminated wastes are incinerated.

Ozone - a gas that occurs both in the Earth's upper atmosphere and at ground level.

Paraquat - an herbicide.

Parathion (ethyl) - an insecticide.

*PBDEs - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, called PBDEs, are used as flame retardants, among other purposes. Some types of PBDEs have been banned, or phased out, but industry has developed others to replace them. (MY NOTE: Commonly found in furniture and children's pajamas.)

PCBs (generic) - Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of chemicals that were used as insulation in electrical transformers, and for other industrial purposes. They are no longer manufactured, but have persisted in the environment.

Permethrin - an insecticide.

*Phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) - This phthalate, commonly referred to as DEHP, is found in many plastic products. (MY NOTE: Also known as Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or DEHP.)

Tebuconazole - a fungicide.

*Toluene - a common solvent, found in many consumer goods, including floor polish, moisturizing cream, lubricating oils, paint thinners. (MY NOTE: Found in some nail polish.)

Tributyltin chloride - Manmade organic substances containing the metal tin. They are used as pesticides and biocides in marine antifouling paints and in wood preservatives.

Trichlorfon - an insecticide.

Trichloroethylene - used as a solvent to clean metal parts and for other industrial processes, often found as a water contaminant.