Common household flame retardant chemicals have been linked to low infant birth weight.
The researchers found that whenever there was a tenfold increase in polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the mother’s blood, her baby’s birthweight would drop by 4.1 ounces.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are common in flame retardants which are found in older furniture and household items.
“This is the first, large population-based study to link PBDEs with babies’ birth outcomes,” said study lead author Kim Harley.
Read more at University of California