The umbilical cord is more than a prenatal lifeline – it’s also the unborn child’s link to the toxic burden of our planets. According to research by Greenpeace and WWF UK, the toxic chemicals in our cellphones, our computers, our perfumes, our shaving cream, and our clothes are present in our children.

Analysis of maternal and umbilical cord blood provided by volunteers in the Netherlands, published in a study entitled “A Present for Life” reveals that known or suspected hazardous substances, present in everyday household products, are entering babies’ bodies through the umbilical cord. The chemicals include some which are known to affect physical and mental development in animals.

“Our children are being exposed to polluting chemicals, though we have hardly any information on the long-term effects.” Pieter Sauer, Professor of Paediatrics, University Hospital Groningen.

This report, commissioned jointly by Greenpeace Netherlands and WWF-UK, investigated the presence of hazardous chemicals in maternal and cord blood samples. 42 maternal blood serum and 27 cord blood serum samples were taken at the University Hospital Groningen. Independent laboratory TNO-MEP analysed the samples for the following chemicals: brominated flame retardant TBBP-A, phthalates, artificial musks, bisphenol-A, alkylphenols, organochlorine pesticides (DDT), triclosan and perfluorinated compounds.

The chemicals in question are contained in countless items ranging from food tins and electrical goods to pesticides, deodorants and toothpastes. They include artificial musks, used to add scent to perfumed and perfumed products, and perfluorinated compounds, used in water-repellent coatings and to prepare non-stick surfaces such as Teflon. Also found were flame-retardants suspected of causing learning and behavioural problems in animals, and the antibacterial agent triclosan, used in antibacterial soap.

The results clearly show the presence of these chemicals in the blood serum samples from both mother and child.

Particularly worrying are the hormone-disrupting chemicals, which may cause most damage during the vulnerable stages of development, that is during periods of rapid cell division, such as in early life and particularly when in the womb. A small disturbance in early development can have serious consequences in later life. PCB’s and dioxins have already illustrated the potential for long-term, irreversible consequences of exposure to hazardous chemicals.



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