News Coverage
Study: Dangerous Chemicals Found In Breast Milk
Experts Say Mothers Should Not Stop Breastfeeding
Published September 22, 2003
BOSTON -- There is alarming news for breastfeeding mothers. Two studies reveal that a toxic chemical that makes objects fire resistant is turning up in the breast milk of American women.
NewsCenter 5's Medical Editor Dr. Timothy Johnson reported that the studies, one by the Environmental Working Group and one by the University of Texas in Houston, found the levels of the chemical to be 10 to 100 times higher in the breast milk of women in this country when compared to European women.
Known as PBDEs, polybrominated diphenyl ethers are chemical flame retardants found commonly in furniture, computers, automobiles and animal fats. Although researchers do not know exactly how these chemicals are entering the human body, evidence clearly shows that they appearing in large amounts.
Johnson said researchers are not certain how PBDEs affect humans, but animal studies have shown that they can damage the developmental nervous systems of a fetus. Johnson said he would not be surprised if future research shows definitively that the chemicals are harmful to humans.
"They are chemical cousins of PCPs, which we eliminated years ago. But I am getting nervous about these chemicals. We don't have the final evidence that they are harmful, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's what we learned," said Johnson.
Researchers believe most of the infant's exposure to the chemicals occurs during pregnancy, coming through the placenta to the fetus. Despite the study's findings, doctors say mothers should not stop breastfeeding.
"There may be things that breast milk may help protect against. Overall, we say the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the risk, even with these (chemicals). We may need to eliminate them in the environment, but we are not telling women to stop breastfeeding," said Johnson.
Europeans began eliminating PBDE flame-retardants years ago, which may account for the difference in the levels between American and European women's breast milk.