Exposing Pregnant Women to Flame Retardants May Harm Developing Child
A recent study by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine shows that children who were exposed to flame retardant compounds in the air and dust before they were born may suffer from behavior and cognition difficulties during early childhood and onward, Scientific American reported.
Researchers collected blood samples from 309 pregnant women early in their second trimester and tracked the children through the first five years of their lives. They found a correlation between spikes in the levels of one class of flame retardant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and cognitive and behavioral difficulties during early childhood, including lower IQs and hyperactivity.
Two other recent large U.S. studies have also shown associations between prenatal exposure to flame retardant chemicals and developmental deficits and reduced IQ. Animal testing suggests that the chemicals disrupt the endocrine system, specifically thyroid regulation and thyroid hormones, which drive growth and development, especially brain development.
Humans are exposed to flame retardant chemicals, including PBDEs, by inhaling contaminated air or ingesting contaminated dust. Though PBDEs were phased out of manufacturing in 2004, they are still present in old furniture and in homes, as the chemicals move out of the furniture and into household dust. Small children are then at increased risk of encountering these hazardous chemicals, as they spend more time close to the floor and often put their hands in their mouths.
Other hazardous flame retardant chemicals include TCEP and TDCPP, known as chlorinated Tris. Both TCEP and TDCPP have been designated by the State of California as chemicals that are known to cause cancer. Children are especially at risk from exposure to these flame retardant chemicals, which are also widespread and migrate to household dust and into the air. The Chanler Group’s clients have detected high levels of TDCPP and TCEP in dozens of upholstered furniture products, including products intended for infants and children.
The Chanler Group represents citizen enforcers who, acting in the public interest, commence actions against businesses offering products for sale in California that contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm without first providing the health hazard warning required by Proposition 65. Citizen enforcers bringing Proposition 65 actions in the public interest may obtain a Court Judgment imposing civil penalties, an injunction requiring reformulation of products, and/or provision of health hazard warnings. The Chanler Group has represented citizen enforcers of Proposition 65 for more than twenty years.