Flame Retardant Chemical Damages Brain Cells, Linked to Autism Risk
By
Pauline Bartolone
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
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New research from UC Davis connects a flame retardant chemical with brain cell damage.
UC Davis research showed that a flame retardant compound can increase the risk for autism and other neurological disorders in some people who are genetically pre-disposed to them.
Lead author Dr. Cecilia Giulivi says it's something for lawmakers to look at.
GIULIVI: "Maybe we are spraying too much of something that we thought that was good… Because the concentrations that we are finding that they are toxic are really low."
UC Davis says flame retardant chemicals are everywhere - from carpets, to car seats to baby clothes.
The chemical they researched - BDE-49 can be absorbed through the skin and accumulates in body fats, blood and breast milk.
It is related to PCBs, which are known to be toxic.