A study of chemical fire retardants in parents and their children conducted by the Environmental Working Group revealed that toddlers and preschoolers had three times more the neurotoxic pollutants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in their blood than their mothers.

For the study, the EWG scientists tested the blood of 20 US children ages 1 to 4 and their mothers and compared the samples for PBDEs. What they found was shocking.

More exactly, the average of PBDEs in the blood of children were about 62 parts per billion (PPB), compared to 25 ppb in their mothers. These figures are worrisome considering the fact that early studies showed children in Span and Norway had levels 6 to 13 times lower. Moreover, one child had six times the level of the chemical that was detected in her mother.

"These findings raise concern about the effect of PBDEs on children's brain development. These levels are uncomfortably close to doses found harmful in laboratory animals,” Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior analyst at EWG and a co-author of the report, said.

One explanation for this exposure is that children play by putting their hands and other household items in their mouths after touching furniture or appliances that contain PBDEs. The largest volume of PBDEs is in electronics in a form called Deca, which is banned in European electronics and in some US states, the study reveals. Also, children appear to consume more drinks and foods containing these chemicals.

Jimmy Roberts, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on environmental health, who was not involved with the study, expressed his concern that the chemicals cause brain damage in animals and may cause hyperactivity in children. There are also concerns that the chemicals affect the reproductive organs and hormone systems. A Danish study linked Deca to a higher risk of developing cancer.

“The government should really look into taking greater steps to protecting our kids,” Roberts said.