Chemicals delay kids’ development

A new study links flame-retardant chemicals found in most California households to delays in children’s neurological development.

Researchers at UC Berkeley found children exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, from the womb through the first five years of life have poorer attention and motor skills and lower IQ scores, according to SFGate.com.

PBDEs are widely used in furniture, infant products, electronics and other goods, and can remain in a human’s system for up to 12 years. Previous studies on animals have shown PBDEs are endocrine disruptors that affect thyroid hormones and the communication among brain cells.

The American Chemistry Council has argued that “fires continue to be a major safety concern” and “flame retardants play an important role in mitigating fire-related deaths and injuries.”