Lisa Enger asked about the type of toxins one might be exposed to and their
potential for being passed on in breastmilk.
PBDE's (Flame Retardants) come to my mind immediately. There are three
common mixtures of these chemicals: penta, octa, and deca. Penta and octa
are no longer produced in the United States, but millions of pounds remain in
homes, offices, and the environment due to extensive use in consumer
products. Deca is still used widely, with about 50 million pounds a year in the
United States used primarily in television casings. Deca demand is expected to
grow because it can now be used to meet new federal fire-safety standards
for mattresses.
The Breastfeeding Coalition of WA has a brochure about PBDE's in breastmilk.
The brochure emphasizes the health benefits of breastfeeding vs. the
exposure of flame retardants via breastfeeding. You can view/print the pdf’s
of this here:
http://www.withinreachwa.org/forprof/BCW/education_materials.htm#Toxins
(It is in English and Spanish). Please take a few minutes to complete the
questionnaire about the brochure. Before accusing me of not being a
breastfeeding advocate for writing this, please read the link about why we
created the brochure….and feel free to look at all the other breastfeeding
information on our website.
PBDE’s are, or have been, sprayed on most electronics (computers, TV's, etc)
on foam (used in couches and chairs) on mattresses, etc. They have been
linked to learning and memory problems, thyroid hormone imbalances,
reproductive problems, and cancer. These are fat loving toxins that
bioaccumulate up the food chain and will hang out in fat such as breast
tissue. Breastfeeding causes them to off load to our children.
Re: exposure during fires, when PBDEs burn, highly toxic by-products can form
that are linked to serious health effects, including cancer, diabetes,
reproductive damage, and lung damage. A recent study found firefighters are
at greater risk than the average population for developing several forms of
cancer, most notably testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma. (I assume these were studied b/c most firefighters are men).
A ban on deca went into effect in the European Union on July 1, 2006. As a
result, electronic products made with deca can no longer be sold in the
European marketplace, which is likely to have implications for the U.S. market.
Seven state legislatures (CT, MN, WA, IL, HI, NY, and MI) considered bills that
would ban deca in 2006. Efforts to ban deca will continue in Washington
State, as a new bill will be introduced in the legislature for the 2007 session.
Firefighters and firefighter groups have signed onto this proposed legislation.
Recent studies by Environmental Working Group
http://www.ewg.org/reports/mothersmilk/es.php and Northwest Environment
Watch, now called Sightline,
http://www.sightline.org/research/pollution/res_pubs/report show that
women in Washington state and the United States have levels of PBDEs in
their breast milk that are much higher than the levels found in European
women.
There are alternatives to PBDE's and there are products you can buy that are
PBDE-free: http://www.pollutioninpeople.org/safer/products/choices
Other countries also have studies on alternatives to PBDE's:
http://www.safer-products.org/page.php?p=flam&s=busi
I highly recommend all of you read this article that was in a recent National
Geographic: http://www.davidewingduncan.net/media/media_pollution.pdf
And the book, Having Faith, by Sandra Steingraber (you’ll want to own this
book).
Kimberly Radtke, Coordinator
Breastfeeding Coalition of WA
www.withinreachwa.org/bcw
_________________________________
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:00:47 +0000
From: Lisa Enger <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Women firefighters
I was asked to post this to Lactnet for another LC not on the list. Any new
thoughts on this subject? I'll also search the archives as I know it has come
up before.
"I am the mother of two, the youngest is six months and still nursing
regularly. I know quite a few other women in the fire service who have
chosen to nurse their babies. My question to you is if there is any research
that has been done about the types of toxins we may be exposed to and their
potential of being passed on in breastmilk? Thanks for any help or info. you
can provide." Thanks, Lisa Enger RN BSN IBCLC Boston, MA
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