Toddlers absorb more toxic chemicals than mothers

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 3, 2008 | by Suzanne Bohan

Minute traces of flame retardants have been detected worldwide in air, sediments, surface water, aquatic animal species and terrestrial wildlife. In the Bay Area, two pairs of nesting peregrine falcons had some of the highest levels of Deca of any living organism tested.

The most common route of exposure to flame retardants comes from dust in homes, or from directly touching products made from it. Given its prevalence in the environment, it has also entered the food supply. Traces were found in a variety of grocery store items tested for flame retardants in one study.

Two states, Washington and Maine, now ban the use of Deca, and legislators in 10 other states, including California, have proposed bans, according to the Environmental Working Group. The European Union also banned the sales of products containing Deca.

Kristi Chester Vance is a San Francisco mother who participated in the Environmental Working Group study, along with her 4-year-old daughter Stella, to help advance the research. But she decided she didn't want to know what level of flame retardant she and her daughter carry. Stella already endured a round with lead poisoning when she was younger, and Vance wants relief from worries over environmental contaminants she has little control over.

Vance wants the government to take a far more aggressive stance in studying the thousands of industrial chemicals approved for use, usually with limited data on health effects.

But she makes efforts to keep the ubiquitous flame retardant residue out of her home, by mopping regularly to get rid of dust, using a vacuum with a fine particle filter, and she keeps her laptop computer off her lap. She and her children also wash their hands more frequently.

Beyond that, Vance figures she can't do much more and still maintain her peace of mind.

"You just reach a point where you have to balance mental health and just enjoy these few years of childhood without looking at your kids and wondering what's going on in their cells," she said. "Sadly, I have to work pretty hard at it."

Reach Suzanne Bohan at sbohan@bayareanewsgroup.com or (650) 348- 4324-- When purchasing new electronics products, look for these brands, which have publicly committed to phasing out brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Phillips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony- Ericsson and Toshiba. -- When purchasing furniture, opt for less flammable fabrics and materials such as leather, wool and cotton. -- Discard foam items with ripped covers or decaying foam. If you can't replace them, keep the covers intact. -- Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles. -- Be careful when removing old carpet. The padding may contain flame retardants.

SOURCE: Environmental Working Group