Chemical pollutants linked to child safety risks and IQ decline

In Luxembourg, the Environment Agency has identified several children's clothing items containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at levels exceeding European safety standards. Following a European initiative titled ‘Coordinated Activities on Product Safety’, 41% of sampled children's articles in the Grand Duchy were found to be non-compliant. Specific retailers named in the findings include H&M, Decathlon, JBC, and Sports Direct. The problematic items, which include jackets and trousers, were removed from sale in December 2025 and are listed on the European Safety Gate portal.

Separately, a study published by Inserm in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives highlights the neurological risks of chemical exposure. Research involving the Sepages cohort suggests that in utero exposure to mixtures of phthalates and bisphenols can impact child neurodevelopment. The study found that increased exposure to these substances was associated with an average population-level decrease of approximately 2.86 IQ points. Researchers are calling for strengthened regulations to mitigate these long-term health and societal impacts.