Unborn Babies at Risk of Chemical Exposure

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Thursday, 08 September 2005

Babies in the womb are being exposed to a shocking cocktail of chemicals that can cause cancer in later life and have gender-bending qualities, research has revealed.

Tests on blood taken from the umbilical cords of nearly 30 new born babies and from more than 40 new mothers were analysed for chemicals ranging from artificial musks used in cosmetics and cleaning products to flame retardants and chemicals used to make plastics and coatings.

Most of the chemicals are found in everyday products such as cleaning fluids and sprays, tin can linings, perfumes and cosmetics and even baby bottles. Others include banned pesticides such as DDT that have lingered in the environment for decades.

Source: Daily Mail