![]() The children’s product exposure algorithm for exposure estimation consists of the (1) concentration characteristics of the chemicals in the product, (2) physiological and behavioral characteristics of the child, and (3) usage pattern characteristics of the products. Exposure assessment is an important process for regulating children’s products based on risk assessment.Īccurate input parameters are key elements of exposure estimation. Article 24 of the Environmental Health Act stipulates the execution of risk assessments for children’s products to manage hazardous substances affecting children’s health and to restrict or prohibit their use when the results exceed the risk criteria. The Korean government implemented the Environmental Health Act with the intent to protect the health of children as sensitive classes based on risk assessment results. Therefore, managing their exposure to harmful substances in children’s products is necessary. As immature individuals whose growth and development have not been fully achieved, their immature organ systems, rapid organ and tissue growth, higher metabolic rates, and greater surface area to body weight ratios make children more sensitive to exposure to chemicals than adults. Because children have different behavioral characteristics from adults, such as hand-to-mouth behavior and playing on the ground, they are more easily exposed to harmful chemicals. The chemicals included in children’s products are mainly used as plasticizers, flame retardants, stabilizers, colorants, and fragrances. ![]() These accurate exposure factors by sex, age, and season can be used as input parameters for refined exposure assessment.Ĭhildren’s products and toys may contain chemicals that are potentially harmful to the health and development of infants, toddlers, and children under the age of 13. Sex, age, and seasonal differences for children’s products were identified. The exposure factors for 57 children’s products were investigated through twice survey with quota sampling with each 10,000 children nationwide. This study generated a nationally representative exposure factor database for the usage patterns of children’s products in Korea. Twenty-three of the 57 products varied significantly with season for all three exposure factors. Twenty-five of the 44 non-baby products showed significant age differences for all three exposure factors. Two of the 57 products showed significant sex differences in all three exposure factors ( p < 0.001). The use rates of products in the daily products and stationery category were >90% in both seasons. The 57 products were classified into five categories: baby products (13), toys (12), daily products (10), sporting goods (8), and stationery (14). ![]() Data on exposure factors such as use rate, use frequency, and use duration of 57 children’s products were collected. The children’s ages were divided into four groups: infant (0–2 years old), toddler (3–6), lower-grade elementary student (7–9), and higher-grade elementary student (10–12). Using proportional quota sampling, a survey of 10,000 households with children aged 0–12 years was conducted twice, once in summer and winter. The aim of this study was to determine nationally representative Korean exposure factors for the usage patterns of children’s products by sex, age, and season. Product usage pattern parameters are relatively limited compared with the chemical concentration, children’s physiological and behavioral parameters. Accurate exposure factors are critical for exposure assessment of children’s products. Children may be exposed to harmful chemicals from their products.
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