September 23, 2005 – Measurable amounts of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) have just been found in breast milk analyzed by researchers1 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
PBDE, a bromine-based chemical, is added to plastics and foams to increase their fire resistance. In North America, it is present in a host of everyday objects: from computers to hairdryers and sofas.
The researchers analyzed the milk of 40 mothers who, in 2004, lived in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, or the Canadian province of British Columbia. In 30% of cases, they found levels of PBDEs that were 20 to 40 times higher than those commonly found in Europe or Japan.
They believe that the benefits of breastfeeding are too great to deprive the child and mother of it. The authorities should instead ban PBDEs, they argue.
PBDEs even reach fetuses. At least that’s what the Environmental Working Group, an American non-profit organization dedicated to environmental research, which published results last July.2 research on this. The researchers analyzed the blood from the umbilical cords of ten American babies. In addition to PBDEs, they identified no less than 287 potentially toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of food packaging, clothing or pan coatings (Teflon®).
According to these scientists, humans are particularly fragile to toxic products during their gestation. They argue that exposure to such substances, which would not affect the mother, could still have serious consequences for the unborn child.
As for experts from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, they estimate that the effects of carcinogens are on average 10 times greater in babies than in adults. Some chemicals could be up to 65 times more harmful to the fetus than to the mother.
The European Union has already banned PBDEs. In North America, the US states of California and Oregon have done the same. Their use is still authorized elsewhere, notably in Canada.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to Cyberpresse.ca, Radio-Canada and Associated Press.
1. She J, Holden A, Sharp M, Williams-Derry C, Hooper K. PBDEs Greater Than PCBs in 30% of Breast Milk Samples from the Pacific Northwest. California Department of Toxic Substances Control and Northwest Environment Watch, United States, 2005. [Consulté le 16 septembre 2005]. www.northwestwatch.org
2. Body Burden – The Pollution in Newborns. A benchmark investigation of industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides in umbilical cord blood. Environmental Working Group, United States, 2005. [Consulté le 16 septembre 2005]. www.ewg.org
