Study: Babies Exposed In The Womb To Chemicals Found In Everyday Products
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November 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Even before they're born, babies are being exposed to chemicals that have been linked to serious health-related problems. In a first-of-its-kind study, women were tested during their second trimester of pregnancy. Researchers found their bodies had been contaminated with chemicals from everyday consumer products.
Jennifer Pinter, one of the California women who participated in the study, thought she had been doing everything possible to protect her unborn son.
"I was shocked to see the results; there were chemicals in our everyday environment that ended up in my body. The chemicals put me at risk, and my baby at risk while in the womb."
The chemicals detected include phthalates used in common vinyl and plastic items, such as shower curtains, flooring and toys; bisphenol-A (BPA) found in water bottles and food and beverage cans; and so-called "Teflon chemicals" used to make stainproofing treatments for clothing, carpeting and food packaging.
The groups that produced the report say policy changes are needed to protect babies and mothers during this critical time of development, and new legislation is slated for introduction next month to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act, the current federal law for regulating chemicals. Until then, says Pinter, parents-to-be cannot be cautious enough.
"I just urge all moms to really look at the ingredients in their cosmetic products, and in the water bottles they're drinking out of and the foods they're eating, so that they can become more aware of their environment."
The study was a joint project of the groups Commonweal, the Washington Toxics Coalition, and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition. It is online at www.watoxics.org/earliestexposures.