Flame Retardants and IQ
Summary:
There are chemicals in flame retardants that have been found in babies even before birth; this chemical has been absorbed by the fetus through contact of the mother with the chemical. Flame retardants contain the chemical polybrominated bphenyl ethers (PBDE); these chemicals are ultimately found in almost everything that are resistant to fire such as furniture, curtains, and even clothes. Due to the chemical's abundance in the environment of a pregnant woman, it is absorbed through the body which lead to the baby. Researchers have found that expectant mothers highly exposed to PBDE produced children-- monitored by the researchers for about five years-- with lower IQs and more behavioral hyperactivity in comparison with those that were not exposed as much to the chemical. It has been found that PBDE messes with the thyroid part of the brain which is what controls hormones ad regulators in the brain and ultimately the body. This is very dangerous due to the ability of the chemical to hinder growth within the child; furthermore, it causes concern due to the amount of PBDE in the house. It has been shown that there are small levels of IQ decrease to those exposed; although this is not alarming; if it is distributed to the whole population it may demonstrate that the human population are slowly decrease in IQ levels as a community in the future due to the excess of the chemical in the atmosphere and in the products.
Reflection:
Despite the fact that I have only been aware of the large amounts of chemicals in the products that the human population consumes recently, I am not surprised that there are toxic chemicals found in furniture, clothes, and even curtains. These flame retardants are made to prevent catastrophes and secure the safety of the consumers; what they are not aware of however is the silent toxin that slowly poisons the body. It is disturbing to realize that these chemicals are so potent that it affects unborn children; babies that is present only in the 'sanitary' confines that is their mother's womb, is suddenly born with chemicals coursing through their veins. These chemicals are carried throughout their bodies causing havoc in the regulation of their hormones. These chemicals are found everywhere, which means it is not impossible even more children suffer from hormonal regulation deficiency from the toxin which block the thyroid. With generations that are exposed to this chemical, it poses questions as to how these chemicals will damage the human biology in the long run.
There are chemicals in flame retardants that have been found in babies even before birth; this chemical has been absorbed by the fetus through contact of the mother with the chemical. Flame retardants contain the chemical polybrominated bphenyl ethers (PBDE); these chemicals are ultimately found in almost everything that are resistant to fire such as furniture, curtains, and even clothes. Due to the chemical's abundance in the environment of a pregnant woman, it is absorbed through the body which lead to the baby. Researchers have found that expectant mothers highly exposed to PBDE produced children-- monitored by the researchers for about five years-- with lower IQs and more behavioral hyperactivity in comparison with those that were not exposed as much to the chemical. It has been found that PBDE messes with the thyroid part of the brain which is what controls hormones ad regulators in the brain and ultimately the body. This is very dangerous due to the ability of the chemical to hinder growth within the child; furthermore, it causes concern due to the amount of PBDE in the house. It has been shown that there are small levels of IQ decrease to those exposed; although this is not alarming; if it is distributed to the whole population it may demonstrate that the human population are slowly decrease in IQ levels as a community in the future due to the excess of the chemical in the atmosphere and in the products.
Reflection:
Despite the fact that I have only been aware of the large amounts of chemicals in the products that the human population consumes recently, I am not surprised that there are toxic chemicals found in furniture, clothes, and even curtains. These flame retardants are made to prevent catastrophes and secure the safety of the consumers; what they are not aware of however is the silent toxin that slowly poisons the body. It is disturbing to realize that these chemicals are so potent that it affects unborn children; babies that is present only in the 'sanitary' confines that is their mother's womb, is suddenly born with chemicals coursing through their veins. These chemicals are carried throughout their bodies causing havoc in the regulation of their hormones. These chemicals are found everywhere, which means it is not impossible even more children suffer from hormonal regulation deficiency from the toxin which block the thyroid. With generations that are exposed to this chemical, it poses questions as to how these chemicals will damage the human biology in the long run.