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The Environmental Working Group just released a new study confirming previous research showing that toddlers have higher levels of toxins in their bodies than their mothers. The EWG found that the children in their study, on average, carried more than 3 times the amount of flame retardants in their blood than their mothers.  Watch coverage on The Today Show or read the full EWG report, Fire Retardants in Toddlers and Their Mothers.

So what can you do? Avoid PBDEs in electronics and foam. Tips from the EWG:

Electronics:

• When purchasing new products look for these brands, which have publicly committed to phasing out all brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Phillips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony-Ericsson, and Toshiba.
• Panasonic has agreed to eliminate all bromine-containing fire retardants from mobile phones and computers by 2011, but does not give a commitment or timeline for the remainder of their products. Dell has incomplete restrictions. Motorola's phase-out of BFRs is limited to their ECOMOTO phone line.
• Scan your house for Deca-containing items. The chemical can be found in: TV components, mobile phones, fax machines, remote controls, video equipment, printers, photocopiers, toner cartridges, scanners, automobile fabrics, kitchen appliances, fans, heaters or hair dryers, curtains and drapes, water heaters, and lamp sockets.

Foam:

Foam products that might contain PBDEs include: couches, upholstered chairs, mattresses, futons, foam carpet padding, children's car seats, automobile interiors, foam pillows (including breastfeeding pillows), and other foam items.

For many families replacing these items is not a possibility. You can still take simple steps to reduce your family's contact with these chemicals.

• Inspect foam items. Replace anything with a ripped cover or foam that is misshapen and breaking down. If you cannot replace these items try to keep the covers intact. Beware of older items like car seats where the foam is not completely encased in a protective fabric.
• Use a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. These vacuums are more efficient at trapping small particles and will likely remove more contaminants and other allergens from your home. HEPA-filter air cleaners may also reduce particle-bound contaminants in your house.
• Do not reupholster foam furniture. Even those items without PBDEs might contain poorly studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.
• Be careful when removing old carpet. The padding may contain PBDEs. Keep your work area isolated from the rest of your home. Clean up with a HEPA-filter vacuum and mop to pick up as many of the small particles as possible.
• When purchasing new products ask the manufacturers what type of fire retardants they use. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants, and opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like leather, wool and cotton. Be aware that "natural" or latex foam will also contain fire retardants.

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