The CDC has found perchlorate, a chemical from rocket fuel, in baby formula. (Photo courtesy of TSA.gov)
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control have found perchlorate in baby formula. It’s a chemical used in rocket fuel. It’s been linked to thyroid problems and it can interfere with a baby’s development. Rebecca Williams has more:
Transcript
The Centers for Disease Control has found perchlorate in baby formula. It’s a chemical used in rocket fuel. It’s been linked to thyroid problems and it can interfere with a baby’s development. Rebecca Williams has more:
The CDC researchers tested 45 samples of baby formula and perchlorate turned up in all of them. They found it in really small amounts. But they did find formula made from cow’s milk had the highest levels and soy-based formula and synthetic formula had much lower levels.
Perchlorate has also been found in breast milk.
Dr. Josh Schier is one of the study’s authors.
“CDC still recommends that mothers’ breast milk is the best nutrition for a developing infant. Now the Food and Drug Administration, you have to remember, requires infant formulas to contain iodine and iodine can potentially help to offset effects of perchlorate on the thyroid.”
The American Thyroid Association says women who are pregnant or nursing should check with their doctor about taking an iodine supplement.
For the Environment Report, I’m Rebecca Williams.