A new study has found that toddlers and preschoolers had levels of fire retardant chemicals that were on average three times higher than their mothers’, according to a study of 20 families by the Environmental Working Group, which has campaigned against the chemicals for several years. The chemicals, called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are widely used in televisions, remote controls, computers, mattresses and other products.
The chemicals cause brain damage in animals and may cause hyperactivity in children, says Jimmy Roberts, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee on environmental health, who was not involved with the study. Doctors also are concerned that the chemicals affect the reproductive organs and hormone systems. A Danish study in 2007 found that boys whose mothers had high levels of fire retardants in their breast milk were more likely to have undescended testicles.
Although Roberts says flame retardants may protect children by slowing the spread of fires, he says government regulators and manufacturers should find less toxic alternatives.
Even though two kinds of fire retardants, known as Penta and Octa, are no longer made in the USA, they are found in older products, the report says. Penta also may be found in imported in furniture. Another fire retardant, called Deca, is still widely used. The report notes that some companies — such as Nokia, Sony-Ericsson and Samsung — no longer use Deca and are phasing out related fire retardants.
Source: USA Today, 3 September 2008
Chapter: Health :: 9 September 2008
