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A new UC Berkeley study adds to the health concerns over flame retardants widely used in foam upholstered furniture. Researchers have found that children exposed to PBDEs in the womb and in early childhood had poorer attention, IQ and fine motor skills.
Tag: PBDE
Flame retardants linked to lower birthweight babies
August 30, 2011:
A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers links prenatal exposure to flame retardant chemicals commonly found in homes to lower birthweight babies. For every tenfold increase in levels of PBDEs in a mother’s blood during pregnancy, there was a corresponding drop of 115 grams in her baby’s birthweight, the study found.
Study finds higher PBDE levels in California kids
April 15, 2011:
Mexican-American children in California had levels of PBDE flame retardants that were seven times higher than their counterparts in Mexico, according to a new UC Berkeley study. California homes have some of the highest levels of PBDE flame retardants in the nation as a result of the state’s strict flammability laws, the researchers noted.
Exposure to flame retardants linked to changes in thyroid hormones
June 21, 2010:
A new UC Berkeley-led study of pregnant women links higher blood levels of PBDEs, a common type of flame retardant, with altered thyroid hormone levels. Normal maternal thyroid levels are important for healthy fetal neurodevelopment.
