DAILY GRIST; FLAME RETARDANTS AND FELINE THYROID DISEASE

[Guest guest]

At 12:09 PM 8/17/07, you wrote:

 

This Gives Us Paws

Flame retardants linked to thyroid disease in house cats

Thyroid disease in house cats may be linked to common flame retardants

called PBDEs, according to U.S. EPA researchers. In a small study of 23

cats, all the felines had blood concentrations of the chemical 20 to 100

times higher than average U.S. adults -- who, it oughta be noted, carry

the highest human PBDE load in the world. PBDEs first began to be used

about three decades ago; at that time, feline hyperthyroidism was rare,

but has now become one of the most common diseases in older cats. The

fireproofing chemical is used in TVs, carpeting, furniture, and

mattresses; kitties easily take the substance in by grooming themselves

after lounging about. (Food for thought: pound for pound, a 2-year-old

child ingests about as much dust as a feline.) While the link between

PBDEs and kitty sickness is still a hypothesis, researchers urged further

analysis. PBDEs already have a bad rep when it comes to health, and two

of the three main types of the chemical have already been banned in the

U.S.

[ email | discuss | + digg | + del.icio.us ]

straight to the source: Planet Ark, Reuters, Julie Steenhuysen, 16 Aug

2007

straight to the source: Los Angeles Times, Marla Cone, 16 Aug 2007

 

straight to the source: The Oakland Tribune, Douglas Fischer, 16 Aug 2007

 

see also, in Gristmill: That's it. Now I am angry.

see also, in Grist: Washington state first in the nation to ban PBDEs

 

******

Kraig and Shirley Carroll ... in the woods of SE Kentucky

http://www.thehavens.com/

thehavens

606-376-3363

 

 

 

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.859 / Virus Database: 585 - Release 2/14/05