Rocket fuel chemical found in powered baby formula
Is your child or grandchild getting enough rocket fuel in her diet? An absolutely ridiculous question, I know—but chances are, she's getting a lot more than you'd imagine. So says a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Traces of perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, explosives, fireworks, and road flares, were found in samples of several different brands of powdered baby formula. Researchers did not disclose the brands tested in the review, but the largest amounts were found in formulas derived from cow's milk. Every sample tested contained some level of perchlorate. The study didn't examine the potential health effects of exposure, but it did say this: When mixed with water also contaminated with the chemical, the amount could exceed what's considered a safe dose…for adults. The researchers did seem to console themselves with the fact that we're all exposed regularly to low levels of the chemical. Perchlorate, while more common at defense and aerospace sites, has turned up in the drinking water supplies of several cities. Scientists have said that significant amounts of the chemical can interfere with thyroid function. This can impact fetal and infant brain development. Despite this, the FDA hasn't recommended that people alter their diet or eating habits because of the chemical. But the EPA is considering setting new limits on the amount of perchlorate that would be acceptable in drinking water. They call it a "serious issue." I just love that there's actually a "safe dose" of rocket fuel. I mean, I'd think that would be…I don't know…0.00 mg a day? Who knows—down the road, if they can't work out this contamination problem, maybe we'll start seeing ads imploring whether or not we're getting ENOUGH rocket fuel in our diets. Too bad Red Bull already took the "gives you wings" slogan… Sources:
"CDC: Rocket fuel chemical found in baby formula." Yahoo News (news.yahoo.com), 4/3/09.
Perchlorate Fact Sheet. U.S. Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), 10/5/06.
Perchlorate in Baby Formula Fact Sheet. U.S. Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), 4/9/06.
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