Contaminated Babies
Norfolk Genetic Information Network (ngin)
A recent Australian study of the meconium (first bowel discharge) of new born
babies detected lindane in 78 per cent of samples, chiorpyrifos in 59 per cent,
DDT in 52 per cent, PCP in 43 per cent, malathion in 34 per cent, PCB in 27 per
cent and chiordane in 16 per cent. There was a mean of three pesticides per
baby.
While it is not surprising that organochlorines like
lindane, DDT, chlordane,
PCP and PCB were detected, given their persistence and ubiquitous nature, it is surprising that supposedly non-bioaccumulative insecticides like
chlorpyrifos and malathion were detected. These chemicals are neurotoxic,
meaning that they can interfere with the brain and nervous system development of
the fetus and the neonate, causing life-long deficits in function, as mentioned
in the previous article on chiorpyrifos.
Reference
Deuble, L., Whitehall, J.F., Bolisetty, S., Patole, S.K., Ostrea, E.M.,
Whitehall, J.S. Environmental pollutants in meconium in Townsville, Australia.
Department of Neonatology, Kirwan Hospital for Women, Townsville. Courtesy of
Marianne Lloyd-Smith, National Toxics Network, Australia.)
http://home.intekom.com/tm_info/rw00910.htm#03
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