WARNING: Don’t expose your unborn baby to chemicals

Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, teflon all have become a household name. While the FDA ruled all three to be completely safe for human ingestion, several companies have removed BPA from their products and stores removed from their shelves.

If a product is BPA-free, the company will put it on their labels. However, the agency is reconsidering that ruling after its own advisory board found that FDA scientists ignored valuable studies that found the chemical caused harm.

Chemicals detected include phthalates used in vinyl (PVC) plastic items like shower curtains, floors and toys; bisphenol A (BPA) found in polycarbonate water bottles and canned foods and beverages; and “Teflon chemicals” used to make stain proofing treatments for clothing, carpeting and food packaging.

Expecting moms had their urine and blood tested during their second trimester. The study tested pregnant women from Washington, California, and Oregon. Specific findings include:

• Every woman tested was exposed to bisphenol A, the hormone disrupting chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic and the lining for food cans. Bisphenol A is linked to cancer, early puberty, diabetes, obesity, and reproductive problems.

• Each woman had at least two and as many as four “Teflon chemicals,” or perfluorinated compounds, in her blood. These are chemicals used to create stain-protection products and non-stick cookware and are linked to low birth weight, obesity, and cancer.

• Mercury, known to harm brain development, was in the blood of every woman in the study.

• Every woman was exposed to at least four phthalates, the plasticizers and fragrance carriers found in consumer products from shower curtains to shampoo. Phthalates are linked to reproductive problems and asthma.

Canada has declared BPA a toxin and does not allow it to be used in baby bottles. Phthalates are banned in most countries in Europe. And when it comes to mercury dental fillings, Canada and Great Britain will not put amalgam fillings in young children or expecting mothers and Norway and Sweden have banned it altogether.

Eighty percent of cosmetics have not been tested for safety.

Jasmine Jafferali, MPH is a maternal, child and family health educator. She works as an Educational and Wellness Consultant helping women and families achieve healthier lifestyles. She is a Master Trainer for Healthy Moms(R) Fitness http://www.healthymomsfitness.com/ and a well-respected Pregnancy Health Columnist for Examiner.com

GetPregnant.org