PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid), also known as C8, is a key chemical used in the manufacture of Teflon and the protective coating that prevents grease stains on boxes and wrappers.
Preliminary findings of a study at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have linked the chemical to lower birth weights among newborns.
The study sampled the blood of 300 newborns and looked at their blood levels of a variety of fluorinated chemicals in relation to their birth weight, head circumference and other developmental markers.
The higher the level of exposure the infants had to PFOA, the lower their birth weight and head size.
Ninety-five percent of Americans, including children, have PFOA in their blood. PFOA has been classified as a "likely carcinogen," and previous studies have indicated that it can cause adverse effects in laboratory animals. However, it is not currently regulated by federal environmental laws.
Read more: http://www.mercola.com/2007/mar/20/more-ways-teflon-can-harm-your-baby.htm.
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