Last week, local residents were cautioned not to use tap water to mix infant
formula, specifically, due to C8 contamination by Dupont, which they had
previously stated was "harmless."


This was in the news today:


CDC: Rocket fuel chemical found in baby formula


 <http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/brand/SIG=br2v03/*http:/www.ap.org> AP

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer Mike Stobbe, Ap Medical Writer - 1 hr 2
mins ago

ATLANTA - Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of
powdered baby formula, and could exceed what's considered a safe dose for
adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a
government study has found.

The study by scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention looked for the chemical, perchlorate, in different brands of
powdered baby formula. It was published last month, but the Environmental
Working Group issued a press release Thursday drawing attention to it.



The chemical has turned up in several cities' drinking water supplies. It
can occur naturally, but most perchlorate contamination has been tied to
defense and aerospace sites.



No tests have ever shown the chemical caused health problems, but scientists
have said significant amounts of perchlorate can affect thyroid function.
The thyroid helps set the body's metabolism. Thyroid problems can impact
fetal and infant brain development.



However, the extent of the risk is hard to assess. The government requires
that formula contain iodine, which counteracts perchlorate's effects. The
size of the infant and how much formula they consume are other factors that
can influence risk.



The study itself sheds little light on how dangerous the perchlorate in baby
formula is. "This wasn't a study of health effects," said Dr. Joshua Schier,
one of the authors.



The largest amounts of the chemical were in formulas derived from cow's
milk, the study said.



The researchers would not disclose the brands of formula they studied. Only
a few samples were studied, so it's hard to know if the perchlorate levels
would be found in all containers of those brands, a CDC spokesman said.



Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it was
considering setting new limits on the amount of perchlorate that would be
acceptable in drinking water. A few states have already set their own
limits.



The EPA has checked nearly 4,000 public water supplies serving 10,000 people
or more. About 160 of the water systems had detectable levels of
perchlorate, and 31 had levels high enough to exceed a new safety level the
EPA is considering.

___

CDC:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_he_me/storytext/baby_formula_perc
hlorate/31534732/SIG=10l6abuu5/*http:/www.cdc.gov/> http://www.cdc.gov/





We're going to Candy Mountain, Charlie!




             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome