Time to clean up our act.

Do we need MORE proof that we need to clean up our environment and make changes in the chemicals that are used? Today's news was about rocket fuel in breastmilk. That's right. Rocket fuel.

From the article: "California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer said the study underscored concerns about the chemical. Boxer sent a letter to state and federal health officials asking them to determine whether mothers should have their breast milk tested before breast-feeding."

Barbara, Barbara, Barbara. You've got it all wrong. The onus isn't on the MOTHERS. We have to eliminate the chemicals from our food and drinking water! I urge you to contact Senator Boxer and tell her so.

From the same article: "We've got to come to grips with the perchlorate situation quickly," Feinstein said in a statement. "And EPA has to move quickly to set a national drinking water standard that protects the health and safety of all Americans."

Now that's more like it. As long as you are writing letters you can send one to Senator Feinstein too.

Here is the full study.

Well that is the bad news but here is some good news. First, read what Dr. Thomas Hale, the foremost researcher on drugs and breastmilk, had to say. Then read what Kellymom had to say.

From what I read they tested 36 women and found perchlorate 5x higher than cow's milk and 20x higher than recommended. Only one woman had no traces of perchlorate at all, and she lives in CT, just in case you are wondering where to move.

CNN talked more about the study this morning. They had an expert on who said the danger with the jet fuel was that it prevents your uptake of iodine, which you need to produce thyroid hormone. To conteract it, you need to eat more iodine, like iodinized salt, kelp, and shellfish.

Perchlorate has not been found to accumulate in our bodies over time

No matter what breast milk is healthier than formula, for so many already know reasons. There are chemicals in formula. Additionally, more of the mothers toxic load is transferred to her first child in the placenta than any received by breastmilk. Also, breastfeeding helps ameliorate or limit the damage caused prenatally.

Plus, there are greater risks associated with not breastfeeding - higher incidences of breast and ovarian cancer in the mom - lower IQ, more diabetes, obesity, and certain childhood cancers in the child.

Another very important point is that the making of formula adds to environmental contamination, whereas breastmilk does not.

Here is the World Alliance For Breastfeeding's FAQ about breastfeeding in a contaminated environment.
And here is La Leche League's press release "Breast feeding remains best choice in a polluted world".