Tainted Infant Formula

[Lynn Cremona]

April 3, 2009 New York Times
Perchlorate found in infant formula -- CDC

By SARA GOODMAN, Greenwire

Samples of powdered infant formula contain trace levels of a rocket fuel
ingredient, a federal study has found.

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested
infant formula for traces of perchlorate because of concerns that the
chemical can damage thyroid function. Their findings were published last
month in the /Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology/.

Perchlorate has been found in the drinking water of at least 35 states
and the District of Columbia. The chemical can inhibit the thyroid
gland's iodine uptake, interfering with fetal development.

The highest levels of perchlorate were found in formulas derived from
cow's milk, the researchers found. They also looked at soy-based
formulas, as well as formulas from lactose-free cow's milk and synthetic
amino acids. They declined to say which brands they tested, but said
each one contained detectable levels.

The study does not answer questions about how traces of perchlorate
affect human health. Some factors could offset the chemical, including
the presence of iodine. An infant's weight and formula consumption can
also influence risk.

The researchers also offered several caveats for understanding the
results, including the scope of the study. The samples were all taken
from one city, meaning the results might not apply nationwide.

But some groups are pointing to the findings as evidence that the
government needs to set a more stringent perchlorate health advisory level.

"Infants fed cow's milk-based powdered formula could be exposed to
perchlorate from two sources -- tap water and formula," said Anila
Jacob, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group. "That
suggests that millions of American babies are potentially at risk."

Jacob's group is urging U.S. EPA to regulate perchlorate in water. Last
year, the agency said it saw no need for such regulations because they
would offer no "meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction."

But EPA in January delayed deciding on regulation until the National
Academy of Sciences studies the matter.

Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
said in a statement that the CDC study puts further pressure on EPA to
set a safe drinking water standard. Boxer introduced legislation last
year aimed at limiting the amount of perchlorate in drinking water and
requiring some public water systems to monitor it and inform the public
of any contamination.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson pledged at her Senate confirmation
hearing that she would address perchlorate. EPA did not respond to
requests today for comment.

Read the study:
http://www.nature.com/jes/journal/vaop/ ... 0918a.html

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