The report follows an executive order made by President Donald Trump in February, which brought the MAHA commission into existence and mandated it to examine children’s health issues.
It ordered an evaluation to assess the risks that “certain chemicals, and certain other exposures pose to children with respect to chronic inflammation or other established mechanisms of disease, using rigorous and transparent data.”
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The report revealed that children face increased health risks from exposure to various chemicals like heavy metals, PFAS, pesticides, and phthalates found in textiles, food and consumer goods. Their distinct behaviours and developmental stages heighten their vulnerability to the potential harm from these novel environmental exposures.
On 22 May the National Cotton Council (NCC) released a statement indicating that for many years, the Environmental Protection Agency has conducted thorough evaluations of pesticides and phased out those found to be hazardous.
The council explained the pesticides currently in use have undergone extensive testing to ensure they are safe for farmers, the environment, and consumers.
NCC chairman Patrick Johnson said: “Cotton producers have made significant strides in conscientious pesticide usage. Crop protection tools such as glyphosate are vital for the continued sustainability of family farms here in the US.”
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By GlobalDataIn response to the report’s remarks on microplastics, Johnson remarked: “Cotton growers produce a natural fibre that is a healthy alternative to synthetic microfibres such as polyester. It is unfortunate that the commission focused more on products that are known to be safe rather than on hazards such as microplastics, shed from synthetic clothing, that our children breathe.
“We urge US agencies to continue to allow sound science to guide future policy decisions, and America’s cotton industry needs a seat at the table in this effort going forward.”
In February this year, an analysis of the NCC’s Annual Planting Intentions survey projected 9.6m acres of US cotton in 2025, which is a 14.5% reduction from 2024.
