The Toxic Chemical Burden Found In Babies

Toxic overload in our bodies are receiving more light than ever before since over 300 toxic chemicals were found in umbilical cord blood of newborn babies. Ken Cook, President of Environmental Working Group (EWG) calls these babies pre-polluted. What is most shocking though is some of these chemicals found have been banned since 1976.

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The report entitled ’10 Americans’  was a comprehensive list of 10 anonymous American newborns and the toxins they contained right from birth. Five different laboratories tested the blood where they found these toxins which included mercury, PBTs, PCBs which the EPA banned in 1976 and, amongst others, DDT, a pesticide which was also severely limited in 1976.  

Scientific American shed light on the report, “Including the controversial plastics additive bisphenol A, or BPA, which mimics estrogen and has been shown to cause developmental problems and precancerous growth in animals.”  

Breast Cancer Fund, a breast cancer prevention group says, “Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned the use of PCBs in new products in 1976, as many as two-thirds of all PCB-containing insulation fluids, plastics, adhesives, paper, inks, paints, dyes and other products manufactured before the ban remain in use today. The remaining one-third was discarded, which means that these toxic compounds eventually made their way into landfills and waste dumps (Robinson, 1990; Weber, 2012).”

There are over 300 toxic chemicals in our water that remain unregulated says Heather White, former General Counsel for EWG current Executive Director of EWG. She says, “Babies are being pre-polluted with toxic chemicals.” Since 2005 she has dedicated her life to shedding life on toxic chemical overload. The ’10 Americans’ report came out immediately after she delivered her first baby.

White says these chemicals affect babies, the elderly and those with auto-immune diseases the hardest. White says, “85% of these chemicals are never tested by the EPA. They companies who make them are not required to test them.”

 Even though the EPA says, “The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans’ drinking water,” a chemical’s identity is considered a trade secret.

“They won’t know anything about the chemical. They don’t know where it’s manufactured,” White says. This adds to the problem.

The solution is a water filter. This however carries a heavy price. If cost is a factor using the Brita Water Filter is recommended by the EWG but a better choice would be a higher ranked carbon filter or a reverse osmosis filter (like this one) with minerals added. Click here for the highest ranked reverse osmosis filter for the least financial output. Carbon filters (like this one) for the refrigerator line can be purchased. 

Reintroducing minerals to the water after it has been filtered is vital. Click here for a top rated minerals that are the most cost effective.

Click here to read more about what the EWG recommends and to read how their tests ranked different filters.

Single use plastics, like water bottles, are problematic due to the chemicals they leach into the water. They are not recommended for use on a daily basis and should only be used in an emergency situation. White says their tests show many bottled waters, “Are municipal tap water right out of the sink. In many jurisdictions companies put the tap water in, bottle it and then sell it. It’s not very standardized.” 

When heated, as happens when the water bottle is sitting in a hot car or in a hot shipping container, these single use plastic water bottles release BPAs which add estrogens and other chemicals into the water. Straws cause the same problems.

Parabens and thalates found in shampoos, lotions, perfumes and personal care products have also tested to release estrogens into the body. If the label says no fragrance or no parabens but “fragrance” is listed in the ingredients, it contains toxic chemicals that cause damage.

Flame retardants added to mattresses, pillows, and clothing are causing a greater issue. Links to hormone disruption, cancer, neurological disorders and developmental problems are all being blamed on flame retardants. ADHD and mental disturbances are being linked to this low dose exposure. To make matters worse The Chicago Tribune reported, “When scientists in a government lab touched a small flame to a pair of upholstered chairs — one with a flame retardant in the foam and one without — both were engulfed in flames within four minutes.” They don’t work.

Mercury exposure comes from the air, deposited by manufacturing plants. 

Bright red lipsticks contain lead. FDA tests showed 97 percent of over 400 lipsticks tested contained lead. 

The biggest source of toxins can be ingested through food. The EWG puts together a “clean 15” and “dirty dozen” list every year listing the most toxic and cleanest foods. Click here to read more.

The Toxic Substance Control Act has not be updated since it was established in 1976.

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