According to a study by the Environmental Health Perspectives published January 26, widespread environmental toxins called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, prevalent in many common consumer products, including foam furniture, stereos, computers, televisions and carpeting, once released into the environment, pass easily into the human bloodstream.
PBDEs are used to make materials flame retardant but health hazards of these chemicals have attracted increasing scrutiny.Published studies express concern because exposure to PBDEs impairs development of the nervous system. PBDEs have also been shown to have hormone disrupting effects, particularly on estrogen and thyroid hormones.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have done several studies on PBDEs showing them to be particularly toxic to the developing brains of animals.
Studies have shown that toddlers typically have three times as much PBDEs in their blood as their mothers, and EWG found 11 different types of flame retardants.
PBDEs have also been found in breast milk and household dust, and children can potential ingest even more when they put toys or other objects into their mouths.
SOURCES: Environmental Health Perspectives; Environmental Working Group
