Is Your Breast Milk Contaminated?

Re: Articles Seen in Wall Street Journal and USA Today

Testing is now available for Flame Retardant Chemicals (PBDE's) in breast milk, blood, or through a fat biopsy. Also available; testing for pesticides and solvents.

What are PBDE's?

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE's) are a class of fat soluble chemicals, stored in fat or secretions in breast milk. PBDE's have replaced polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyls as fire retardants and are used in electronics, electrical cables, carpets, furniture and textiles. Because of their widespread use, typical Americans come in contact with them daily. The environmental rate of increase in the concentration of PBDE's is increasing exponentially, doubling every 2 to 5 years. Researchers in Sweden found a 60 fold increase in the concentrations of PBDE's in breast milk between 1972 and 1997. Starting next year, they will be banned in Europe. In 2008, they will be banned in California.

What are the effects of PBDE's?

Potential health effects of PBDE's have only just begun to be studied, but they have been shown to cause permanent brain damage to fetuses exposed in utero and to be thyroid disrupters. Recent animal research has shown that exposure to low levels of PBDE's can cause permanent neurological and developmental damage including deficits in learning, memory and hearing, changes in behavior, and delays in sensory-motor development. What can be done?

Have your breast milk analyzed to determine infant exposure and your body's content. Blood and adipose tissue (fat) analysis is also available to provide meaningful data pertinent to the fields of environmental toxicology and environmental medicine in determining the body burden.

Call Johnson Medical Associates today for your consultation and analysis.