CHEMICALS ADDED TO PLASTICS CAN CONTAMINATE MOTHERS BREAST MILK AND PERMANENTLY HARM THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN'S MINDS.

08/17 1634 CHEMICAL IN PHONES `CAN HARM CHILDREN'S MINDS' By Amanda Brown, Environment Correspondent, PA News.

Chemicals added to plastics in many phones, television sets and computers can contaminate mothers' breast milk and could "permanently harm the development of our children's minds", it was claimed today. The campaign group Friends of the Earth called on the Government to take action to protect public health after new research showed that the chemicals permanently damage the brains of mice.

The findings were unveiled at a major international conference organized by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in Stockholm. They show brominated flame retardants (BFRs) disrupt thyroid hormones and contaminate the environment.

Friends of the Earth said BFRs were persistent and bioaccumulative, and build up in animal and humans fat. They were recently found to be contaminating the blubber of sperm whales living in the remote, deep waters of the Atlantic.

BFRS are used widely as flame retardants in printed circuit boards, plastic cases and in some textiles.

Their persistence means it is impossible to avoid exposure to them. A draft EU "Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment" calls for their use to be banned, but the manufacturers of BFRs are fighting to go on using them, says FoE.

The group's toxics campaigner, Dr Michael Warhurst, said: "This disturbing research suggests that common chemicals, which can even contaminate breast milk, could be damaging the development of our children's minds."

"Breast milk is an important source of nutrition and health for babies, therefore Friends of the Earth advise that mothers should continue to breast feed, however the Government must act urgently to ban such chemicals and reduce this risk."

"Even when they are banned they will continue to contaminate our bodies and the environment for many years."

"The chemical industry knew very well that these chemicals would be persistent, yet cynically carried on using them even though safer alternatives are available."

"It is time that the industry faced up to its responsibilities and acted to protect human health and the environment."

A Department of the Environment spokesman said: "These chemicals are on the priority list for EU communities' existing safety regulations. A full risk assessment is being conducted by UK and France. These findings will be considered along with any others in the risk assessment."