[CPEO-MEF] Sens. Boxer and Feinstein react to perchlorate-in-breast-milk report

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Breast milk toxin studied
STATE'S SENATORS REACT TO PERCHLORATE FINDINGS

By Barbara Feder Ostrov
San Jose Mercury News (CA)
February 24, 2005

A small study that found a rocket fuel chemical in breast milk drew
quick reaction from California's U.S. senators Wednesday, with one
calling for environmental reform and the other questioning whether all
breast-feeding women should take supplements or have their milk tested.

The chemical, perchlorate, is used to make rocket fuel and explosives.
Locally, it has been found in wells around Morgan Hill, near the site of
a former highway flare plant. It has been linked to thyroid disorders
because it inhibits the body's ability to absorb iodine -- which is
critical for infants' brain development.

The study released this week suggested that the government should
consider increasing the recommended daily allowance of iodine to protect
against any harmful effects of perchlorate.

Sen. Barbara Boxer asked federal and California health officials to look
into whether they should advise women to have their breast milk tested
or take iodine supplements. A spokeswoman for Sandra Shewry, the
director of the California Department of Health Services, said the
agency would examine the issue. Sen. Dianne Feinstein also issued a
statement calling on the government to clean up perchlorate contamination.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/health/10978820.htm

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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