The following came in its entirety from
http://www.enn.com/enn-news-archive/1999/07/070199/amniotic_4106.asp
where linking sites of interest can be found. I encourage you to check the
article and links, as we are all affected by pesticides regardless of
our lifestyle or where we live.
~Bunny Snow
Pesticides found in amniotic fluid
Thursday, July 1, 1999
Environmental News Network [ENN]
By assessing the degree of pregnant women's exposure to manmade chemicals, researchers have made an important advance that raises questions about how these chemicals effect human development before and after birth. The preliminary research, presented at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in San Diego, shows that those chemicals can be identified and measured in amniotic fluid, which surrounds a fetus in the womb.
"If in utero exposures to (industrial chemicals) are of consequence for endocrinological, immunological, reproductive/developmental and neurobehavioral effects in human infants, then exposure assessment is an essential first step," the report, conducted by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said.
Among the 30 pregnant women who participated in the study, 30 percent were found to have low levels of industrial chemicals and pesticides in the amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn baby.
Many of these industrial chemicals, such as DDE, a byproduct of DDT, were banned in the United States in the early 70s. Nevertheless, these chemicals degrade slowly and can persist in the U.S. food supply. Some experts believe that prevailing winds carry the pesticide around the globe from developing countries where it is still used.
The chemicals, which have been accused of causing cancer, may also cause complications in hormonal development, according to lead study author, Dr. Warren Foster. "Even small levels of exposure during a baby's development could have profound effects later in life," Foster said.
At certain levels, DDE is known to be capable of blocking the activity of testosterone by acting as a substitute for this hormone. Testosterone is present in the blood of both males and females, although males have higher concentrations of it.
The effect of DDE on testosterone activity concerns Foster because the levels of DDE in some amniotic fluid samples were comparable to testosterone levels normally found in female fetuses.
"With these levels of DDE present, the natural hormones will presumably be suppressed or blocked. What impact does that have on the developing fetus? It could have an effect upon the baby's development, such as masculinization; however, it's speculation at this point. We will have to do additional studies to find out," Foster said, in a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center press statement.
In his next study, Foster plans to determine the regional differences in levels of industrial chemicals found in amniotic fluid by evaluating the differences among women who live in the Great Lakes area and women who live in Los Angeles.
Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
*Peace and Light*
The Health and Environment Round-Table
Educate the general public about potential environmental threats to physical, emotional, and psychological health and well-being. Develop management strategies to reduce risks and stay healthy in an increasingly toxic world. A round-table forum for the public, medical, scientific, and legal communities, industry and media to reach out and work together toward making our world safer.
Bring your questions, opinions, concerns, information, articles, and skepticism to the HealthE Round-Table. Please send personal mail privately. SNIP! Limit excessive requoting of posts, do not quote this banner.
Courtesy, tolerance, and respect at all times.
Commands in the BODY of email to: listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com as follows: Want DIGEST version of list? Send: set HealthE digest Read ARCHIVES not email? Send: set HealthE nomail
Keyword searchable archives at:
http://206.241.12.9/archives/healthe.html
Automated list assistance send HELP in the body of email to:
HealthE-request@home.ease.lsoft.com