Latest Studies

A Research Strategy to Discover the Environmental Causes of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

April 25, 2012, Environmental Health Perspectives

Excerpt: Exploration of the environmental causes of autism and other NDDs has been catalyzed by growing recognition of the exquisite sensitivity of the developing human brain to toxic chemicals (Grandjean and Landrigan 2006). This susceptibility is greatest during unique “windows of vulnerability” that open only in embryonic and fetal life and have no later counterpart (Miodovnik 2011).

Nanotechnology Spells Danger For Firefighters

April 24, 2012, Firehouse.com

COMMON FLAME RETARDANT LINKED TO SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL AND LEARNING DEFICITS

Study highlights the interaction between epigenetics and genetics and exposure to a flame retardant in mice.

February 16, 2012

Mice genetically engineered to be susceptible to autism-like behaviors that were exposed to a common flame retardant were less fertile and their offspring were smaller, less sociable and demonstrated marked deficits in learning and long-term memory when compared with the offspring of normal unexposed mice, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found. The researchers said the study is the first to link genetics and epigenetics with exposure to a flame retardant chemical.

The research was published online in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. It will be presented during a symposium on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) by Janine LaSalle, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the UC Davis School of Medicine and the UC Davis Genome Center. (LaSalle will discuss her research during a news briefing with her colleagues at 9 a.m. on Feb. 19 in Room 221 on the second Level of the Vancouver Convention Center). Read More

PBDES Linked to Lower Birthweight Babies

Exposure during pregnancy to flame retardant chemicals commonly found in the home is linked to lower birthweight babies, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health. In the study, which appeaedr Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the peer-reviewed publication American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that every tenfold increase in levels of PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, in a mother’s blood during pregnancy corresponded to a 115 gram (4.1 ounce) drop in her baby’s birthweight. Read more.

PBDEs in Pregnant Women Impact Thyroid

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, documented impacts on thyroid in pregnant women who have PBDE contamination in their bodies. The study was published August 10th, 2011 in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology. Read more here.

Dust in Offices Contaminated with Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals

A new study published June 30th, 2011 in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that polybrominated diethers (PBDEs), banned in an international treaty, are in the dust of over thirty Boston offices. Read News Advisory.

New Paper Reveals Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Deliver Few Fire Safety Benefits, Make Fires More Dangerous

In a peer-reviewed study presented to the International Symposium on Fire Safety Science on June 21, 2011, scientists found that California's furniture flammability standard Technical Bulletin 117 does not provide measurable fire safety benefits. Read more at Green Science Policy Institute. Read the study.


In the News: Elizabeth Grossman Reports: Are Flame Retardants Safe?	Latest Studies A Research Strategy to Discover the Environmental Causes of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities April 25, 2012, Environmental Health Perspectives Excerpt: Exploration of the environmental causes of autism and other NDDs has been catalyzed by growing recognition of the exquisite sensitivity of the developing human brain to toxic chemicals (Grandjean and Landrigan 2006). This susceptibility is greatest during unique “windows of vulnerability” that open only in embryonic and fetal life and have no later counterpart (Miodovnik 2011). Nanotechnology Spells Danger For Firefighters April 24, 2012, Firehouse.com COMMON FLAME RETARDANT LINKED TO SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL AND LEARNING DEFICITS Study highlights the interaction between epigenetics and genetics and exposure to a flame retardant in mice. February 16, 2012 Mice genetically engineered to be susceptible to autism-like behaviors that were exposed to a common flame retardant were less fertile and their offspring were smaller, less sociable and demonstrated marked deficits in learning and long-term memory when compared with the offspring of normal unexposed mice, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found. The researchers said the study is the first to link genetics and epigenetics with exposure to a flame retardant chemical. The research was published online in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. It will be presented during a symposium on Saturday, Feb. 18, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) by Janine LaSalle, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology in the UC Davis School of Medicine and the UC Davis Genome Center. (LaSalle will discuss her research during a news briefing with her colleagues at 9 a.m. on Feb. 19 in Room 221 on the second Level of the Vancouver Convention Center). Read More PBDES Linked to Lower Birthweight Babies Exposure during pregnancy to flame retardant chemicals commonly found in the home is linked to lower birthweight babies, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health. In the study, which appeaedr Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the peer-reviewed publication American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that every tenfold increase in levels of PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, in a mother’s blood during pregnancy corresponded to a 115 gram (4.1 ounce) drop in her baby’s birthweight. Read more. PBDEs in Pregnant Women Impact Thyroid Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, documented impacts on thyroid in pregnant women who have PBDE contamination in their bodies. The study was published August 10th, 2011 in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology. Read more here. Dust in Offices Contaminated with Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals A new study published June 30th, 2011 in Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that polybrominated diethers (PBDEs), banned in an international treaty, are in the dust of over thirty Boston offices. Read News Advisory. New Paper Reveals Halogenated Flame Retardant Chemicals Deliver Few Fire Safety Benefits, Make Fires More Dangerous In a peer-reviewed study presented to the International Symposium on Fire Safety Science on June 21, 2011, scientists found that California's furniture flammability standard Technical Bulletin 117 does not provide measurable fire safety benefits. Read more at Green Science Policy Institute. Read the study.	In Products In Homes In People In Fires In Focus