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Flame Retardants (PBDEs)

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDE, are organobromine compounds used as flame retardants. PBDEs are used in a variety of products, including clothing, furnishings, and plastics. Scientists have found sufficient evidence supporting an association between developmental flame retardant exposure and reduced IQ. Other studies have linked them to reproductive and neurological risks, as human exposure usually occurs through ingestion by food and inhalation. PBDEs accumulate in blood, breast milk, and fat tissues. For children, PBDEs are a great risk. One study conducted by the Environmental Working Group found the median blood levels of PBDEs in children were 3.2 times higher than their mothers.

Associations between prenatal and childhood PBDE exposure and early adolescent visual, verbal and working memory

“Exposure to PBDEs during both prenatal and postnatal periods may disrupt memory domains in early adolescence. These findings contribute to a substantial body of evidence supporting the developmental neurotoxicity of PBDEs and underscore the need to reduce exposure among pregnant women and children.”

Birth rates are decreasing worldwide.
June 04, 2021

Industrial Chemicals Linked to Decreased Fertility in Women

Researchers measured the levels of 31 common industrial chemicals in the blood of 60 women and found women with higher levels of chemicals in their blood sample also had fewer immature eggs left in their ovaries.

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Forty-two "mystery chemicals" were found in the blood of 30 Bay Area pregnant women.
March 29, 2021

109 Industrial Chemicals Found in Pregnant Women

Researchers found 109 industrial chemicals in blood samples taken from Bay Area pregnant women — 55 of the chemicals have never before been seen in humans.

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Sperm counts have dropped almost 60% since 1973.
March 22, 2021

Plummeting Sperm Counts, Shrinking Penises: Toxic Chemicals Threaten Humanity

In her new book, “Countdown,” environmental and reproductive epidemiologist Shanna Swan predicts sperm counts could reach zero by 2045 thanks to hormone-disrupting chemicals that are “everywhere.”

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Dangers of plastics to the environment.
March 03, 2021

Big Oil’s New Plan: Flood the World With Plastics

Faced with diminishing demand for fossil fuels, the struggling oil and gas industry is investing billions of dollars in new plants designed to produce millions more tons of plastics — and millions more tons of pollution.

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Scientists are witnessing an alarming trend.
February 25, 2021

Male Infertility Threatening ‘Future of Human Race,’ Says Author of New Book

Shanna Swan, Ph.D., author of “Count Down,” says endocrine-disrupting chemicals are causing decreased sperm counts, plunging testosterone levels and rising levels of erectile dysfunction.

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November 24, 2020

Synthetic Chemicals in Plastics Pose Danger to Children’s Health

Plastics are everywhere: in couches, televisions, makeup, toys, costumes, and even children’s bodies, new report shows.

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October 15, 2020

EU Releases Ambitious Strategy to Eliminate Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals

EU Commission releases ambitious strategy for getting hormone-disrupting chemicals out of food, products and packaging.

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June 19, 2018

Declining IQ: A Race to the Bottom?

Over the past several decades, American children’s physical and mental well-being has steadily deteriorated. Over half (54%) of all U.S. children (as of 2007) had a chronic health condition—with developmental and behavioral problems, obesity, allergies, asthma and mental health conditions leading the pack—and the prevalence of many of these conditions doubled from 1988 to the mid-2000s.

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