3 guesses: What criminal administration allowed Perchlorate in Baby Formula?

[newmac]

The New York Times


April 3, 2009
Perchlorate found in infant formula -- CDC
By SARA GOODMAN, Greenwire

Samples of powdered infant formula contain trace levels of a rocket fuel ingredient, a federal study has found.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested infant formula for traces of perchlorate because of concerns that the chemical can damage thyroid function. Their findings were published last month in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

Perchlorate has been found in the drinking water of at least 35 states and the District of Columbia. The chemical can inhibit the thyroid gland's iodine uptake, interfering with fetal development.

The highest levels of perchlorate were found in formulas derived from cow's milk, the researchers found. They also looked at soy-based formulas, as well as formulas from lactose-free cow's milk and synthetic amino acids. They declined to say which brands they tested, but said each one contained detectable levels.

The study does not answer questions about how traces of perchlorate affect human health. Some factors could offset the chemical, including the presence of iodine. An infant's weight and formula consumption can also influence risk.

The researchers also offered several caveats for understanding the results, including the scope of the study. The samples were all taken from one city, meaning the results might not apply nationwide.

But some groups are pointing to the findings as evidence that the government needs to set a more stringent perchlorate health advisory level.

"Infants fed cow's milk-based powdered formula could be exposed to perchlorate from two sources -- tap water and formula," said Anila Jacob, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group. "That suggests that millions of American babies are potentially at risk."

Jacob's group is urging U.S. EPA to regulate perchlorate in water. Last year, the agency said it saw no need for such regulations because they would offer no "meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction."

But EPA in January delayed deciding on regulation until the National Academy of Sciences studies the matter.

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said in a statement that the CDC study puts further pressure on EPA to set a safe drinking water standard. Boxer introduced legislation last year aimed at limiting the amount of perchlorate in drinking water and requiring some public water systems to monitor it and inform the public of any contamination.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson pledged at her Senate confirmation hearing that she would address perchlorate. EPA did not respond to requests today for comment.

[Richard Steele]

1. Hmmm...Hoover? Warren G. Harding?

K&R

[sarge43]

2. Coolidge - the business of America is business?

Reagan - government is the enemy?

GW Bush - Uncle Dick said it was ok?

[Ilsa]

3. But some people on DU who think of themselves as experts

think breastmilk is worse for the baby. They don't know what they are talking about.

[glowing]

4. it would depend.. If jet fuel is the cause of the problem, then anyone living

near a major city would have a problem with this in their water sources... Anyone who is in a flight path of an airline would have exposure to chemical fall out. It only makes sense that it would be found in the powder mix and the female breast of a woman. I think its Bobby kennedy Jr. that has written about the high amt of chemicals in breast milk because of a mothers exposure to so many environmentally bad things such as jet fuel and mercury toxins from coal burning electric plants... the mercury exposure of children may not be coming so much from the vaccines as it is their mother who is exposed to chemicals and is toxifying her child in the womb. Most people should have a toxicology run-out with their physicals every year.. its not common to test for these things.. if it was, then their would be a huge movement to go green.. people would not like to know that their mercury content is super high and may be causing thyroid problems and may be causing weight problems, hair loss, fatigue... But it would help in understanding what supplements a person would need to help thier body adjust to the overwhelming toxins they are exposed to everyday... There is a reason we are losing the War of Cancer... We are killing ourselves for corporate greed.

[aquart]

7. Huh? Isn't breast milk made for the purpose?

Designed by both God and evolution?

[krabigirl]

8. whoever said breastmilk was worse?! it's that some women are unable to

too bad donor mlk is not cheap enough or accepted in our society. until it is, it's formula or ?? (for those unable to breastfeed...and yes, they exist.)

[Ilsa]

9. I read a post jsut the other day that said breastmilk was too contaminated

with environmental pollutants to be better than formula. Yeah, someone on DU said that.

[HopeFor2006]

5. Let me guess

<<Jacob's group is urging U.S. EPA to regulate perchlorate in water. Last year, the agency said it saw no need for such regulations because they would offer no "meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction.">>

Hmmm, what administration was in place last year????

[IDemo]

6. 1 - Chimpy. 2 - The Deciderer. 3 - The Commander Guy

[hootinholler]

10. 4 - Commander Kukoobananas n/t