Smoking / Drugs / Chemicals

An Asthma Surprise Widespread use of cleaning sprays may be one reason why asthma is 75 percent more common now than in 1980. According to a European study, people who use common glass- and furniture-cleaning and air-freshening sprays at least once a week are one-and-a-half times as likely to develop asthma symptoms as people who never use them; the risk doubles for people who use them four times a week. Particles sprayed into the air can be inhaled and cause ling inflammation, says Brian Smart, MD, an allergist with the DuPage Medical Group in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, who was not involved with the study. He recommends using sprays only in well-ventilated areas such as rooms where you can open windows. Or use non spray cleaning products such as wipes, which didn't show the same negative effect. -Health.com November 2007

Naturally clean house: germs and pregnancy don't mix. But before you grab that commercial cleaner, think what the chemicals may do to your baby... Here are some naturally homespun cleaners: Lavender oil with water cleans and disinfects cutting boards, 2/ apple-cider vinegar infused with lavender, rosemary, sage, rue and mint cleans countertops, 3/ baking soda eliminates odors, 4/ distilled vinegar in hot water is a great window cleeaner, 5/ tea tree oil kills mold.

Pesticides and pregnancy. It's best for pregnant women to avoid repellents that contain deet, advises Julie Neidich, M.D., medical director of Global TeleGenetics Medical Group in Palo Alto, California. High doses of chemical can be toxic. Deet-free products are recommended and lotions with citronella should be used only in moderation. Citronella's safety during pregnancy has not been proven.

New information on birth defect causes.

• Living within 1/4 mile of a Superfund site may cause heart, spine, and brain defects.
• Contracting a urinary infection during pregnancy can cause cerebral palsy in child.
• Pesticides can cause spinal, heart, limb defects and cleft lips.
• Binge drinking can cause cleft lip/palette.
• An extremely stressful event (divorce, death, job loss) during pregnancy can cause spinal and heart defects, and cleft lip.
• Aspirin and ibuprofen can cause gastroschisis (abdominal defect) as well as poor nutrition and cocaine.
• Obesity can cause neural tube spinal defect, whether or not she takes vitamins.
• Smoking or taking cortical steroids may cause cleft lip.
• Vitamins can help reduce all these (except obesity, as noted).

-March of Dimes, Birth Defect Foundation

Father's Drug Use = Pregnancy Disorders. Miscarriage and fetal abnormalities are common when the father takes the bowel drug 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) to treat bowel disease, according to US researchers at Reuters Health. Babies born from dads that use or even "used" drugs have a higherl risk for mild to sever birth defects from behavioural and learning problems to congenitial heart defects. Even years later.

Smoking Moms = Cleft Lip.  Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of having a baby with cleft lip or palette, say US researchers at Reuters Health.

Smoking moms = violent kids. Smoking during pregnancy is now associated with serious psychological problems in children. Girls are five times as likely to use drugs, and boys from smoking mothers are four times as likely to steal, lie, set fires, and act aggressively toward other children. Theoretically because nicotine may affect the developing brain.
- Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 7/99.

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