Polluting Our Children

[sparc872]

The letters follow a benchmark investigation EWG released last week commissioning laboratory tests of 10 umbilical cord blood samples for the most extensive array of industrial chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants ever studied in newborns. EWG found that the babies averaged 200 contaminants in their blood, including mercury, fire retardants, pesticides and the Teflon chemical PFOA. In total, the babies' blood contained 287 chemicals, including 209 never before detected in cord blood. The study is available at www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2.

Grr. To think that a new life, something that is supposed to be pure, is being polluted and filled with all of these imnpurities is quite amazing. It is no wonder the cancer rate in the US has been on the rise since we started producing petrochemicals on a large scale.

There are now about 75,000 chemicals in commercial use, and 3,750 to 7,500 are estimated to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) to humans. That means that one out of every ten commercial chemicals may be cancer-causing - chemicals dispensed into your home via such common household items as aerosols, air fresheners, deodorizers, furniture polish, or the lumber used in the construction of your picnic table.

 

[evearael]

That is upseting, though I would like to see recommendations on what pregnant women can do to reduce their risks.

 

[Jaymes]

This is definitely upsetting, and I'd be willing to wager the vast majority of the chemicals in there got there through legal means (pesticides on veggies, etc).