Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Exposure to chemicals is bad for you
The city's heavily polluted air can cause genetic abnormalities in babies that are linked to a higher risk of cancer — before they even leave the womb, according to a chilling new study.
"Cancer is a disease of accumulated genetic damage, and this new finding shows this process can begin in utero," said Dr. Frederica Perera, director of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at Columbia University.
Earlier research found that urban air pollutants could stunt fetal growth, but the new study provides the first proof that they can also alter chromosomes in the womb, said Perera.
"Now that we have evidence that the process begins so early . . . we can be more aware of the risks," she said.
She called on "policymakers at the federal, state and local levels to take appropriate steps to protect children." (more)
