Researchers studied 236 children to see if everyday chemicals found in products like food packaging and furniture might affect how their bodies handle vitamin D. They measured 24 different chemicals in the children’s blood and urine at ages 8 and 12, along with vitamin D levels. They found that children exposed to higher levels of these chemicals had different vitamin D levels in their blood. While the changes were small, scientists think these chemicals might be interfering with how vitamin D works in the body. This is important because vitamin D helps bones grow strong and supports the immune system.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether common chemicals that kids are exposed to every day might change how their bodies process and use vitamin D
  • Who participated: 236 children from the HOME Study (Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study) who had measurements taken at ages 8 and 12 years old
  • Key finding: Children with higher exposure to a mix of 24 different chemicals had vitamin D levels that were about 6.6 ng/mL higher than expected. Some types of chemicals (like those in non-stick coatings and flame retardants) showed stronger connections to higher vitamin D levels
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that chemicals we’re all exposed to may interfere with how vitamin D works in children’s bodies. However, this is early-stage research, and we don’t yet know if these changes are harmful or helpful. More research is needed before making any changes to how you protect your family from these chemicals

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of children’s chemical and vitamin D levels at two specific times (ages 8 and 12) rather than following them over many years. The researchers measured 24 different chemicals in the children’s blood and urine samples. These chemicals included PFAS (found in non-stick cookware and water-resistant clothing), flame retardants (added to furniture and electronics), chemicals used in personal care products, and plasticizers (used to make plastics flexible). They also measured three different types of vitamin D in the blood to get a complete picture of how vitamin D was being used in the body.

The researchers used statistical methods to look for connections between chemical exposure levels and vitamin D levels while accounting for other factors that might affect vitamin D, like age, sex, race, and body weight. They also looked at how groups of similar chemicals together might affect vitamin D, not just individual chemicals one at a time.

Understanding whether common chemicals affect vitamin D is important because vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone development, immune function, and overall health in children. If chemicals are interfering with vitamin D, it could have long-term health consequences. This study is one of the first to look at this question in children, making it valuable for understanding potential health risks from everyday chemical exposure.

This study has several strengths: it measured many different chemicals and vitamin D markers, it included measurements at two different ages, and it used careful statistical methods. However, there are important limitations to consider. The study only included 236 children, which is a relatively small group. It only looked at one point in time for each age, so we can’t tell if the chemical exposure caused the vitamin D changes or if something else caused both. The study cannot prove cause-and-effect, only that the two things are connected. Additionally, the study was done in one specific population, so results might not apply to all children everywhere.

What the Results Show

When researchers looked at all 24 chemicals together as a group, children with higher exposure had vitamin D levels that were about 6.6 ng/mL higher than children with lower exposure. This might sound like a small change, but it was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

When the researchers grouped similar chemicals together, they found different patterns. Chemicals used in non-stick coatings (PFAS) were associated with vitamin D levels that were 3.1 ng/mL higher. Flame retardants (PBDEs) were linked to 2.1 ng/mL higher vitamin D. Chemicals used in personal care products (OPEs) were associated with 2.6 ng/mL higher vitamin D. However, plasticizers and certain other chemicals didn’t show clear connections to vitamin D changes.

For one specific type of vitamin D that’s very active in the body, flame retardants showed the strongest connection, with levels 4.0 pg/mL higher in children with greater exposure. The researchers think these chemicals might be interfering with how vitamin D receptors work in cells, similar to how two keys might compete for the same lock.

The study looked at three different forms of vitamin D in the blood because they each tell a different story about vitamin D in the body. The patterns were similar across all three types, which suggests the findings are consistent. The fact that different chemical groups showed different strengths of association suggests that different chemicals may interfere with vitamin D in different ways.

This is one of the first studies to look at whether multiple chemicals together affect vitamin D levels in children. Previous research has shown that some chemicals can interfere with hormone systems in the body, but very little research has specifically looked at vitamin D. Some studies in adults have suggested similar connections, but children may respond differently to chemical exposure because their bodies are still developing.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a snapshot study, so we can’t prove that the chemicals caused the vitamin D changes—we only know they’re connected. Second, the study included only 236 children, which is a relatively small number for this type of research. Third, the children were measured at only one time point per age, so we don’t know if these patterns stay the same over time. Fourth, the study was done in one specific community, so the results might not apply to all children everywhere. Finally, the changes in vitamin D levels were small, and we don’t yet know if these small changes actually affect children’s health.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, there are no specific new recommendations. However, general advice to reduce chemical exposure remains important: use glass or stainless steel food containers instead of plastic when possible, choose furniture without flame retardants if available, and wash hands regularly to reduce exposure to chemicals on surfaces. These steps are reasonable precautions even though we don’t yet know the full impact of these chemicals on vitamin D and health. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your child’s vitamin D levels.

Parents and caregivers should be aware of this research as it adds to our understanding of how everyday chemicals might affect children’s health. Children with limited sun exposure or dietary sources of vitamin D might be particularly important to monitor. However, this research doesn’t mean you need to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle right now—it’s early-stage research that needs to be confirmed by larger studies.

This study shows connections at specific points in time (ages 8 and 12), but we don’t know how quickly these changes happen or how long they last. More research is needed to understand the timeline of how these chemicals affect vitamin D over months and years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your child’s vitamin D levels through regular blood tests (as recommended by your doctor) and note any changes. Also track potential chemical exposure sources like use of non-stick cookware, plastic food storage, and furniture age/type to look for patterns over time.
  • Start a simple log of potential chemical exposure sources in your home (non-stick cookware, plastic containers, furniture age) and gradually replace items with lower-chemical alternatives. Pair this with tracking sun exposure and dietary vitamin D sources to see if these changes affect your child’s vitamin D levels over time.
  • Work with your healthcare provider to monitor vitamin D levels annually through blood tests. Keep a record of chemical exposure reduction efforts and any changes in vitamin D levels. Note seasonal variations in sun exposure and dietary vitamin D intake, as these also significantly affect vitamin D levels.

This research is preliminary and shows associations, not proven cause-and-effect relationships. The findings are from a small study and need to be confirmed by larger research before making major changes to your family’s lifestyle. Vitamin D is essential for children’s health, and decisions about vitamin D supplementation or testing should be made with your child’s healthcare provider. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat any health condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your child’s diet, supplements, or medical care based on research findings.