Exposure to certain chemicals can increase your child's risk of being born with a chemical birth defect.
Chemical birth defects may include conditions such as missing or not fully developed organs, a cleft lip or palate, certain cancers, missing or deformed limbs and other brain or spinal problems.
Further, being exposed to certain chemicals while pregnant can bring about such defects in your newborn. If you have questions about chemical birth defects or believe that your child may have been born with a birth defect as the result of exposure to a toxic substance, it is important to speak with an experienced birth injury lawyer.
Both men and women working in many high-risk occupations that are surrounded by dangerous chemicals may have an increased risk of having a child with such a defect.
Professions that are particularly prone to chemical which may cause birth defects include mechanics, florists, dry cleaners, x-ray technicians and beauticians. Many factory workers are also at an increased risk of exposure.
Recently, California's environmental science agency announced that it will add bisphenol A – the plastics softening chemical –to its official list of chemical that a highly risky and likely to cause birth defects. Several reports have linked BPA to reproductive toxicity. BPA has been found in common items such as water bottles and is linked to serious health conditions such as birth defects, cancer, behavioral changes, altered brain development and cardiovascular disease.
As noted by one supporter, "This is a public health victory that has been a long time coming. After years of delay, California has moved quickly in just a few months to finalize this listing." Environmentalists applaud this decision, while many in the plastics industry are critical.
For more information about chemical birth defects or if you believe exposure to toxic chemicals may have resulted in an injury to your child, please contact the top birth injury attorneys at the Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
