This news
story was interesting to me. This article talks about a group of chemicals called PBDEs. These chemicals are used to make products flame retardant, and can be found in couches, foams and fabrics, televisions, electronics and plastics. Smaller amounts of PBDEs can be found in certain foods such as dairy products and some fish as well. It is estimated that 97% of Americans have a trace of these chemicals in their blood. Studies have found that having a large amount of these can have some health consequences, such as slower brain development of children when the mother was exposed to more PBDEs. They are also related to liver toxicity. Researchers tested this on a group of females who were trying to get pregnant. They found that the more PBDEs they were exposed to, the longer it took to become pregnant. Their chances of becoming pregnant decreased by 30% when the amount of chemicals increased by ten. One reason this may be the case is that PBDEs affect the thyroid hormone and this influences fertility. PBDEs act as estrogen, so the thyroid hormones levels can be thrown off. Having too much or too little thyroid hormones can affect a woman's fertility. This is an interesting article, but it seems like we are discovering more and more things that are bad for you. It almost seems like everything could have a harmful effect. The good thing is that people are recognizing these problems and can look to the future to prevent such things from happening.
This is in part why we have an organic crib mattress for Drew and an organic mattress pad for Alex. Ours is hypoallergetic, but not organic. Unfortunatly, the Q & K size beds and pads are very expensive...the vinyl in beds is no bargain either!
ReplyDeleteWow I have never heard about this type of chemical before. It is scary to think the furniture in our house could be putting out future health at risk. One thing that really stuck out to me is the decrease in pregnancy it causes which is very alarming. It makes me wonder if we have that chemical in the dorm furniture. The school buys cheap furniture that is made to last, probably with little concern about the chemicals in it. Thanks for sharing this information I am going to have to remember this for the future when I get my own place.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. That just goes to tell you that people need to get off the couches. I know some who spend much of their day on the couch. There's chemicals and bacteria almost everywhere but i didn't know this much and different kinds. Thanks for these facts, it'll be helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I knew sitting on the couch all day wass unhealthy, but i never would have guessed that it could someone unable to get pregnant.
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