The UC San Francisco research team tested 25 second-trimester pregnant women from Northern and Central California seeking care in San Francisco in 2008 and 2009 and found they had high levels of the chemicals in their blood, putting their babies at risk, according to the study published in Wednesday's Environmental Science and Technology journal.
Researchers believe the women's high PBDE levels were due to California’s strict flammability regulations enacted in the 1970s, which led manufacturers to add flame retardants to a wide variety of products, from electronics to furniture.
PBDEs may be toxic to the liver, thyroid and nerve development, according to the EPA.
We spoke with Ami Zota, a postdoctoral fellow at UCSF's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment and lead author of the study, about what the findings mean and what can be done.
Q: You and other California researchers have studied these chemicals and their effect on women before -- what's new about this study?
A: The average levels of PBDE chemicals are the highest reported to date among pregnant women worldwide. This was surprising, given that most PBDEs have been banned in California since 2004.
Q: Where are these flame-retardant chemicals coming from?
A: A couple of things. PBDEs since the mid-'70s have been added to many products we use in our everyday environments — couches, carpet padding, electronics — computers, TVs — a range of products. They’re also added to crib mattresses, children’s car seats, most products that have polyurethane foam in them have PBDEs in them, or now they have a replacement flame retardant.
Q: So are pregnant women getting exposed to these chemicals because when they're getting ready to have a baby they buy used cribs and car seats?
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