Even the most health-conscious and careful moms-to-be are unwittingly exposing their unborn children to a litany of harmful chemicals every single day. Before a newborn draws their first breath, they have already been exposed to hundreds of harmful and worrisome chemicals – and the problem only seems to be increasing. According to the latest cord blood report by the Environmental Working Group, more than 200 different chemicals were detected in recent study. This is sobering news indeed, and highlights why so many parents-to-be need to increase their efforts to protect their most important commodity: their children.

Most of us are at least a tiny bit aware of the fact that more chemicals are being used today than ever before. In fact, approximately 80,000 to 100,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the everyday lives of most people since World War II. Many adults figure they can counteract the negative effects of such chemicals through clean living and by being as health conscious as possible. Sadly, babies in utero have no such option and are much more vulnerable to such exposure. The latest report by the Environmental Working Group only strengthens the worries that many people have about prenatal health and chemical exposure.

What is Cord Blood?

Cord blood refers to blood that is found within the umbilical cord that extends between a fetus and the placenta, which provides that fetus with the nutrients and food that it needs to grow and flourish. Blood passes through the umbilical cord while a baby is growing and developing, working as a lifeline up until the point a baby is born. The Environmental Working Group studies the blood that is left in the umbilical cord after childbirth, testing it for the presence of chemicals and other pollutants.

About the Report

The Environmental Work Group uses the cord blood that it procures to determine what kinds of chemicals a fetus is exposed to. In their latest report, the EWG detected the presence of 232 different chemicals in the blood they examined from ten cords from minority babies. Among those 232 chemicals, things like pesticides, the byproducts of burning coal and gasoline, perfluorochemicals and BPA – a flame retardant chemical – were all discovered. Basically, anything the mother was exposed to, the fetus was exposed to as well.

What the Report Means for You

Getting babies off to the healthiest start in life as possible is important to any parent, and the EWG’s latest report is disturbing to say the least. Even before entering the world, babies have to contend with a bevy of toxic chemicals and pollutants. If you are expecting a child – or plan on becoming pregnant soon – it is in your best interests to learn as much as possible about these reports and to protect yourself and your unborn baby as much as you can. Giving your infant the cleanest, healthiest start to life is the best way to ward off a lot of different problems down the road.