‘Disturbing’: 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in US breast milk

Research marks first time largely unregulated subclass of flame retardants called bromophenols found in human breast milk

New peer-reviewed research has identified 25 kinds of toxic flame retardant in human breast milk in the US, and all samples contained at least some level of the dangerous chemicals.

The compounds are part of the brominated flame retardant class, which are commonly used in plastic, televisions, appliances and electronics. The research also marks the first time a largely unregulated subclass of the flame retardants, called bromophenols, have been found in breast milk.