Chemicals from cosmetics, perfumes and other fragrances were detected along with dozens of other industrial compounds in the umbilical cords of African American, Asian and Latino infants in the United States, according to a national study released Wednesday. Laboratory tests paid for by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group and Rachel's Network found 232 chemicals and pollutants in the umbilical cords of the 10 babies tested in five states between December 2007 and June 2008.
'Not a surprise'
"It is not a surprise because studies for many years have shown synthetic and industrial chemicals in humans, but it is particularly concerning that the developing fetus is being exposed," said Megan Schwarzman, a family physician at San Francisco General Hospital and a research scientist in environmental public health at UC Berkeley.
"This is a particularly vulnerable time, and there is no reason for the chemicals to be there." It was the 11th time the working group has conducted laboratory tests of human blood for chemicals in household and industrial products. Overall, the working group, which focuses on environmental health issues, found 414 chemicals and pollutants in 186 people of all ages and races, including Caucasians. The latest study was the first time newborns of minority mothers were exclusively tested.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/03/MN5I1ATVS2.DTL&type=health#ixzz0ZFEUDVN8
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