Health

Explosives chemical found in US baby formula: report

by Suranee | April 3, 2009 at 09:25 pm

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Perchlorate, which is an oxidizer in solid fuels used in explosives has been detected in 15 brands of baby milk in the United States. Studies done have confirmed that the chemical s a potent thyroid toxin that may interfere with fetal and infant brain development.

WASHINGTON (AFP) — A chemical used in explosives, fireworks and rocket fuel has been found in powdered baby formula in the United States, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) non-profit group said Friday.

In "little-noticed findings", researchers at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 15 brands of baby milk contained perchlorate, an oxidizer in solid fuels used in explosives, fireworks, road flares and rocket motors, the EWG said.

"Studies have established that the chemical is a potent thyroid toxin that may interfere with fetal and infant brain development," it said.

The Environmental Working Group says that perchlorate is also found in drinking water in more than half the 50 US states and mixing tainted baby formula with the contaminated water "could boost the resulting mixtures toxin content above the level the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe."

The EWG says that a study done by CDC in 2006 found that exposure to perchlorate at levels "considerably below" the level considered safe by the EPA altered thyroid hormone levels in women.

According to the EWG, perchlorate is found in drinking water in more than half the 50 US states and mixing tainted baby formula with the contaminated water "could boost the resulting mixtures toxin content above the level the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers safe."

A study conducted in 2006 by the CDC found that exposure to perchlorate at levels "considerably below" the level considered safe by the EPA altered thyroid hormone levels in women, the EWG said, calling for new limits to be set for perchlorate in drinking water.