Toxic Flame Retardant Found in Breast Milk
 (Washington, Reuters Health, 9/23/03)

Scientific studies have shown that the fire retardant chemicals used in everyday items - like furniture, computers, TVs, cars, copiers and hair dryers - can impair the attention, memory and behavior of laboratory animals. Now the Environmental Working Group (EWG), an environmental advocacy organization, has found high levels of these toxins in breast milk samples from 20 first-time mothers living in places like Washington, D.C., Colorado and California. The investigators note that these bromine-based toxins can accumulate in the body and that the growing fetuses had probably already been exposed to them before birth.