Thread: Slightly off topic...

Scary - 99% of pregnant women in the US Test Positive for Multiple Chemicals Including Banned Ones, Study Suggests


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0114081653.htm

Totally eeks me out. Seriously.

Read something like that before. Makes me so sad.

I'm not all that surprised. What's even more scary to me is that with few exceptions whatever I'm going to be exposed to, my baby is also going to be exposed to. She'll be eating the same as me within the next few years during some of the most crucial years of her development and be going to the same places, in contact with many of the same things.

Well that is scary.

That is scary. My godmother is a vet, which I realize is an animal doctor, not a human one, but she's science minded in any case, and she told me that she's read about fire retardants which apparently are in EVERYTHING (carpet, furniture, etc) and are SUPER bad for you. They are basically impossible to avoid, but, are seriously toxic. It's really scary what a toxic world we live in these days.

It's gross yes, but scary? I'm not inclined to be as horrified by it as the article suggests. Only because well, that's life now. It can't be avoided unless you move to an uninhabited island. And I'm unsure as to why they only tested pregnant women? Clearly if the results are so staggering, they can reasonably assume non-pregnant women and men and children are positive for these as well.

Make the best of what healthy things we can do and hopefully it counterbalances it a bit.

Originally Posted by JorgieGirl

And I'm unsure as to why they only tested pregnant women? Clearly if the results are so staggering, they can reasonably assume non-pregnant women and men and children are positive for these as well.

The article says, "Exposure to chemicals during fetal development has been shown to increase the risk of adverse health consequences, including preterm birth and birth defects, childhood morbidity, and adult disease and mortality." The purpose of the study was to find out just how widespread fetal exposure to these things is. Also, since pregnant women usually get their blood drawn a few times, it's a lot easier to get someone to agree to just take another vial than it is to get people to come in just to take their blood for this purpose, but I think with these findings there will be a wider study in the near future.

It is a bit unnerving, but I also think our bodies are smart & if we take good care of ourselves while we can't avoid everything & yes we will be affected, I also think our bodies filter a lot too. I wish society in general would be more mindful, it seems the all mighty dollar is more important than life itself & that is sad. So we do what we can do & we live as well as we can - it's easy to stress out about all the awful things out there so I try not to.

Originally Posted by Marite13

That is scary. My godmother is a vet, which I realize is an animal doctor, not a human one, but she's science minded in any case, and she told me that she's read about fire retardants which apparently are in EVERYTHING (carpet, furniture, etc) and are SUPER bad for you. They are basically impossible to avoid, but, are seriously toxic. It's really scary what a toxic world we live in these days.

So true...

On the Forbes list (http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/09/hom...s_slide_2.html)... the top of the 10 most toxic products is:
Baby Care Items! (http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/09/hom...ch-toxins.html)

Baby care products – Flame-retardants are used in the foam found in products like cribs, high chairs, strollers and nursing pillows. The chemicals involved are PBDEs or other retardants with bromine or chlorine, which have been linked to sexual and neurological disorders. Vinyl flooring and shower curtains – Phthalates are used to soften the plastic that goes into vinyl flooring and shower curtains. This chemical has been associated with causing harmful effects to growth and development in children, and impacting brain functions like learning, behavior and memory.
Nonstick pots and pans – There's some controversy over the effects of the coating on nonstick pans, commonly known as Teflon. The Teflon chemical, PTFE, is thought to be harmless. But non-stick pans heated past 500 degrees Fahrenheit, or that have started to flake, can emit toxic byproducts of PTFE that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.
Consumer electronics – This category can be a toxic cocktail. Phthalates are found in the power cords of devices or controller cables of game consoles. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans, are added to circuit boards and plastic casings.
Hard plastic bottles and containers – Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastic bottles and containers. Recent studies have shown that BPA could have effects on the brain, behavior and prostrate gland in infants and young children.
Insulation – BFRs are added to housing insulation materials to meet fire safety codes. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over a long period of time and have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans.
Air fresheners and cleaners – Sprays or even some scented candles that "freshen" the air often use phthalates to spread the fragrance.
Cosmetics – Phthalates can also be found in perfumes, deodorants and hair sprays, as well as nail polish.
Carpets – Carpets, and some furniture, are also treated with the same non-stick chemicals, PTFE, used in Teflon. When PTFEs break down, one of the byproducts is a carcinogenic chemical, PFOA, also linked to infertility and birth defects in humans.

I just took a class last yer and they said that the most toxic item that people actually pick up in their home is DISHWASHER SOAP. It makes a huge difference (I'm told) if you switch to a "green" brand.