New Study Links Flame Retardants to Lower Birth Weight

A study published Tuesday, Aug. 30 by a group of researchers at UC-Berkeley has found that exposure to a group of flame retardants, PBDEs, is linked to lower birth weight in infants. 

I have written blogs before about the health concerns associated with exposure to PBDEs, including reduced fertility and impaired development. This new study adds to the growing list of harmful effects that have been associated with exposure to flame retardants.

When looking at the birth weights of over 250 infants, infants whose mothers were exposed to higher levels of PBDEs had lower birth weights. Though none of the infants were considered to be "low birth weight," a clinical term reserved for infants weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams), each 10-fold increase in blood levels of PBDEs was associated with a 4-ounce (115-gram) decrease in birth weight. 

Four ounces might not sound like much, but it is similar to the decrease in birth weight seen with prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke. Low birth weight is a risk factor for health problems later in life, including developmental delays and cardiovascular disease.

The importance of this new study is that it has identified another potential contributor to low birth weight in a population of infants already at risk: those born to low-income populations with poor access to good nutrition and prenatal care. Previous studies have identified low-income populations as having higher exposures to PBDEs, the same flame retardants linked to low birth weight in this study.

The solution to this problem is smarter and more effective regulation of chemicals. PBDEs have been phased out of production, but exposures continue because these chemicals persist in the environment and people, especially those on a limited income, who tend to have older furniture that still contains these chemicals. The problem isn’t solved by buying a new couch or recliner, because the chemicals replacing PBDEs may be just as toxic.

Join us in calling for reform of the federal chemical policy laws that have allowed this problem to happen.  And in the meantime, here are a few tips on how to reduce your exposure to these and other toxic chemicals:

• Vacuum often (with an HEPA filter) and wet-mop to reduce build-up of dust in your home.
• Dust with a damp cloth or a microfiber cloth to avoid kicking up dust particles in the air as you work. For example, don’t use a feather duster, as this only releases dust particles into the air.
• Wash hands frequently (with plain soap and water!), as hand-to-mouth contact with dust is a major pathway for exposure.

And if you live outside of California, buy furniture without the TB 117 label as shown below.

 

Follow Sarah Janssen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SarahJNRDC

Comments

[Theresa Rohloff]

04:42 AM on 09/03/2011

How nice that California has a level of protection for its residents that identifies a harmful chemical component by labeling. Too bad other places have not yet followed their lead and worse, too bad many States fight this type of resposible behavior.

[Demetersgrl]

02:25 AM on 09/03/2011

That's just the tip of the iceberg. How about all the other chemicals the unborn are exposed to? Chemicals in household cleaners, auto exhaust, pesticides and worst of all, the chemicals their soon to be mothers marinate themselves in...hair products and fragrances. It's no accident that kids today are born with a much higher incidence of asthma than in the past. It probably also explains their poor school performance.

[Theresa Rohloff]

05:18 AM on 09/03/2011

There have been some extremely interesting articles about this in National Geographic. As so many in Louisiana have ignored the warning signs with one of our US Senators leading the way of denial and obstinance, experts and scientific research affirm that we have taken many wrong turns in our path of "progress." It is disappointing that some of the loudest are the least informed.

[lex19999]

05:33 AM on 09/03/2011

marinate???? Very poor choice of words.

[jacmed]

12:15 AM on 09/03/2011

Why am I not surprised that man-made chemicals can cause problems -- even those created to solve problems?

[lex19999]

05:35 AM on 09/03/2011

We are all composed of chemicals, we breath chemicals, water is a chemical, food is composed of chemicals, Get A life.

[arnprince]

11:57 PM on 09/02/2011

Gee, Golly Sarah! Aren't those fixes to this problem the same fixes that would eliminate the cause of so many MORE issues?? It seems to me that you have the cart before the horse in this article. It isn't so much about exposure to all those alphabet things as it is about general sanitary household measures, which seem to have gone to the wayside since the addition of "one quick swipe does it all" products in our society. Get back to the basics to avoid all kinds of crap - go scare someone else with your alphabet soup journalism!

[Malcolm Hensley]

08:13 PM on 09/01/2011

Every week I read an article concerning coal emissions and the hidden health cost. To be frank I believe these claims are over stated and the link is to weak. My reasoning is as air has improved since 1980 asthma cases (a good indicator of general lung health) has steadily increased as outside air quality has improved.

This article describes some of the indoor pollutants but they are more. I believe a greater indicator of whether you will have a baby of lower birth rate or your kid with have asthma is more a measure of how much time your and yours spend indoors!

I believe indoor air will kill you!

As for flame retardant chemicals I prefer phosphate based chemistry. Not saying they don't have some problem chemicals but in general I would dress my baby in a THPS based chemistry.