Pregnant Women and Flame Retardants?

This seems like an odd combination, but sadly it's a combination that is wide-spread. This was evidenced in a study conducted through the University of California at San Francisco. Polybrominted diphenyl ethers or PBDE's are chemicals used in flame retardants and were very prevalent in California because of strict laws that had been enacted for years. These toxic chemicals were banned in 2004, but as evidenced by the studies they have remained pervasive in the environment. Herein lies the major concern for many toxic chemicals that are introduced without any prior testing of their safety. They are put into circulation before we understand anything about them and then they may remain a problem for years.

So the how and what to do about their existence is problematic. This story was covered in the Los Angeles Times in an interview with the study's lead author Ami Zota. It sheds light on this very real problem of chemicals in our environment. Even though this group of chemicals is one of thousands, there are some general rules of thumb that can help all of us manage our exposure to toxicants. Read the full article here...every step you take can help you live healthier.