Pesticide Exposure in the Womb Increases ADHD Risk

I was astonished to find baby stores selling Memory foam mattresses for babies. Memory foam mattress have been tested by the Eco-Institute in Germany. They found such high levels of Arsenic and Phosphorus compounds the German Scientist don't even recommend it. Memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. Memory foam, like other polyurethane products, can be combustible. There is concern that high levels of the fire retardant PBDE, commonly used in memory foam, could cause health problems for users. New bedding laws went into effect requiring all bedding be resistant to ignition from open flame. Toxic Fire Retardants (PBDE's) are found in high levels in American Mothers Human Breast Milk. Environmental Working Group (EWG) found unexpectedly high levels of these little-known neurotoxin chemicals in every participant tested. Brominated fire retardants found in mattresses are bioaccumulative, building up in people's bodies over a lifetime.

Brominated fire retardants impair attention, learning, memory, and behavior in lab animals at surprising low levels. The most sensitive time for toxic effects is during periods of brain development and can cause deficits in sensory and motor skills, learning, memory and hearing.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is an aromatic diisocyanate. It is produced for reaction with polyols to form polyurethanes. TDI is one of eleven statutorily listed "Extremely Hazardous Substances" under the New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act whose release "would produce a significant likelihood that persons exposed will suffer acute health effects resulting in death or permanent disability." Ref: Wikipedia.org/wiki/Toluene diisocyanate. Exposure to isocyanates and their vapors should be avoided. NIOSH- "Data from recent studies of animals show that cancer is associated with exposure to commercial - grade TDI. http://cdc.gov/niosh/asthma.html

The number of children diagnosed with Autism and learning disabilities are continuing to rise. Diagnosis for Autism has risen from 1 in 150 to 1 in 91 back in 2002. Many children with autism have high levels of metals in their bodies from environmental sources. Mattresses made from Urethane or synthetic blended rubber have chemical flame retardants in them. Antimony and arsenic are used to treat flame resistance.

CBS Boston reports: "The CPSC says five year old children will absorb .5 mg of Antimony (Arsenic) from flameproof mattresses, every night. This is 63 times more Poison than the EPA say is safe! They also say the average adult will absorb .8 mg Antimony every night, and this is 27 times more poison than the EPA says is safe. Antimony is one of the acutely toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony) and is known to cause cancer."

You can buy mattresses, bedding and pajamas that are made from certified organic cotton, organic wool and organic all natural latex from http://www.MountainAirOrganicBeds.com

joyce robertson of AR 3:28PM August 26, 2010