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A fire-resistant foam used in sofas and vinyl flooring poisons children, warned a study.
Children who live in social housing, where these materials are common, have concentrations of toxins in the blood and in the urine up to 15 times higher than those who are not exposed.
Researchers warn that disparities between rich and poor in health are another reason: flame retardant chemicals (PBDEs) are linked to neurodevelopmental delay, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disorders, cancer and cancer. Other diseases.
Dr. Heather Stapleton of Duke University, who presented here the results of this conference at the conference of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, warned that despite attempts to reduce these chemicals, they are always present.
In addition, few studies have investigated whether these chemicals seep into the blood of children who are exposed to them.
"There is concern that these chemicals will affect brain development," said Dr. Stapleton.
Floors can contain chemicals that affect children's development, warn researchers
"In homes containing flame retardants, especially in young children who spend most of their time indoors, they are largely exposed, for example to household dust."
The chemicals studied by Dr. Stapleton, all of which fall under the generic term semi-volatile organic compounds, are used in electronics, furniture and building materials.
Flame retardants, used at some point in most sofas, carpets and televisions, have been associated with delayed development of the brain and reproductive system.
Phthalates, found in vinyl flooring and carpets, disrupt the way we store fat and fuel obesity.
While the EU has taken a firm stance to ban these chemicals, especially in children's products, the United States has not been so strong.
There are more restrictions – in 2010, 80% of consumer products tested by Dr. Stapleton contained these chemicals. Now it's close to 20% since the regulators dried up.
However, there is no ban and they persist, especially in social housing, where flooring, furniture and products have not been traded for safer housing. .
And regulators continue to find them in unexpected places. A study conducted last year has highlighted flame retardants in farmed fish, despite restrictions imposed by the United States and the European Union on PDBEs in fish-farming waters.
Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Boston University, has launched a three-year study of home exposures of these chemicals in 203 children in 190 families. .
"Our main objective was to study the links between specific products and the exposure of children, and to determine the course of exposure – by breathing, skin contact or inadvertent inhalation of dust", said Dr. Stapleton.
The study analyzed samples of indoor air, indoor dust and moss collected in the furniture of each of the homes, as well as a sample of wipes, urine and blood of each child.
They then quantified 44 biomarkers of exposure to different chemicals, including phthalates, organophosphate esters, brominated flame retardants, parabens, phenols, antibacterials, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS).
Children in homes where the main room couch contained PBDEs in its foam had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood.
Children in homes with vinyl floors in all areas had concentrations of benzyl and butyl phthalate metabolites in urine 15 times higher than those of children without vinyl flooring.
Benzyl butyl phthalate has been associated with respiratory disorders, skin irritations, multiple myeols, and reproductive disorders.
The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Progress of Science in Washington DC.
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