What Every Parent Should Know: Endocrine Disruptors and Children
Read time: 6-8 minutes
In today’s world, parents and carers are more health-conscious than ever but there’s an invisible threat most people have never even heard of.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found in everything from cleaning products to plastics and even children’s clothing. And they’re quietly interfering with your child’s hormones.
At Svante, we believe education is protection. That’s why we’re breaking this down clearly, without scare tactics, just the facts we all need to know.
What Are Endocrine Disruptors?
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. Hormones are messengers that regulate everything from growth and mood to metabolism and development. When these disruptors enter the body, they can mimic, block, or alter normal hormone function, especially dangerous in growing children.
Common endocrine disruptors include:
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Phthalates (used in plastics, clothing, personal care)
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BPA (found in plastic containers, food linings)
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PFAS (used in water-repellent and stain-resistant coatings)
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Parabens (preservatives in toiletries and skincare)
Even at low doses, these chemicals have been shown to impact hormonal balance, especially during key developmental windows.
Where Are They Found?
These chemicals are hidden in hundreds of everyday products:
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Plastic bottles and food packaging
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Cleaning products and air fresheners
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Personal care items like shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant
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Non-stick cookware
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Thermal paper receipts
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Synthetic clothing, especially activewear made from polyester, nylon, and chemically treated fabrics
Did you know? Almost all children's activewear and sports clothes are made from polyester and are often treated with anti-odour, anti-stain, or “stay-dry” coatings — all of which may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.
How Do They Affect Children?
Children are especially vulnerable to endocrine disruptors because their hormone systems are still developing. Even small exposures can have outsized effects.
Research has linked endocrine-disrupting chemicals to:
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Early puberty
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Thyroid dysfunction
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ADHD and behavioural issues
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Obesity and insulin resistance
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Reduced fertility later in life
A 2020 review published in Environmental Health Perspectives found consistent associations between prenatal or childhood exposure to phthalates and adverse neuro-developmental outcomes.
How Can You Reduce Exposure?
You don’t need to eliminate every chemical overnight, that would be almost impossible but there are high-impact swaps you can make today:
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Avoid plastic containers — especially when heating food
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Switch to fluoride-free toothpaste and paraben-free skincare
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Choose fragrance-free and toxin-free cleaning products
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Filter your tap water
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Avoid handling receipts — they’re often coated with BPA
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Choose clothing made from natural materials and avoid polyester, nylon, and treated synthetics whenever you can
Why This Matters to Us at Svante
We started Svante because we couldn’t find activewear we trusted for our own children.
Almost all kids activewear and sports clothes are made from polyester, a plastic fibre that is often treated with chemical coatings to improve stretch, smell, or stain resistance and even fire retardants.
At Svante, we do things differently.
We use proprietary performance blends made from natural materials like TENCEL™ and regenerative cotton. Our products are toxin-free, microplastic-free, and designed with children's health in mind — without compromising performance, breathability, or comfort.
Small Swaps. Big Protection.
Your child’s skin is their largest organ and it absorbs more than you think.
By understanding the risks and making simple, intentional changes, you can protect their hormone health without turning your world upside down.
It starts with knowledge. It continues with considering what they wear every day.
Explore Svante’s collection of toxin-free, natural activewear for kids.
Where natural movement meets natural materials.