The doctor warned about possible toxic substances in the school uniform

School clothes may contain toxic substances that can accumulate in the child's body and cause malfunctions of internal organs. Olga Ulankina, Candidate of Medical Sciences, expert doctor at the Hemotest laboratory, told Izvestia about this on April 16.

"Even a small but regular excess of these substances in the blood can lead to chronic intoxication. The main risks are associated with toxic effects on the liver and kidneys," she said.

According to the expert, phenols are toxic compounds used in the production of synthetic fabrics, dyes and adhesives. With prolonged skin contact, they are able to enter the body, exerting stress on the liver and kidneys, as well as destroying the protective barrier of the skin.

The expert stressed that such substances can also affect the nervous system, causing headaches, weakness, sleep disorders and decreased concentration. In addition, an immunotoxic effect is possible, which causes the child to get sick more often.

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She added that the symptoms can appear both immediately and after a while. These include redness, itching, rash and swelling in areas of the skin in contact with the tissue, as well as irritation of the respiratory tract.

"It is important to remember that it is safest for children to wear clothes made of natural materials with minimal chemical treatment: cotton, linen, wool. Bamboo or eucalyptus viscose is also safe in high-quality production. But avoid fabrics with a high polyester content (more than 30-40%). Synthetics can not only release phenols, but also create a greenhouse effect and enhance the penetration of any toxic substances through wet skin," she added.

The specialist concluded that a pungent chemical odor that does not disappear after washing, as well as bright unstable dyes, may indicate the presence of toxic substances in clothing.

Ulankina said on April 15 that microplastics from synthetic clothing can enter the human body through air, food and water. According to the expert, microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, which are formed when synthetic materials are destroyed. The most common way they enter the body is through the respiratory tract, but the particles can also settle on foods and enter the body with food and water.