A toxic chemical used to make furniture, foam and electronics fire resistant is turning up in high amounts in the breast milk of women in the USA.
Two studies found that all of the women tested were contaminated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
Their PBDE levels were the highest in the world: 10 to 20 times higher than those in Europe, where the chemicals are being phased out.
The first study is from the Environmental Working Group, an environmental research organization, tested the breast milk of 20 women.
It found levels ranging from 9.5 to 1,078 parts per billion. The women were recruited via EWG’s Web site.
Click here to read the report.
The second study is from the University of Texas-Houston. Arnold Schecter, professor of environmental sciences, found levels in breast milk from 5 to 418 parts per billion in 47 American women.
It was published last month in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Breast milk is tested because it’s the least invasive way to test fat, where PBDEs are stored.
What are PBDEs?
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are among the most common flame retardants in the USA. Starting next year, they will be banned in Europe. In 2008, they will be banned in California.
