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Phthalates Linked to Lower IQ

Posted February 19, 2015 12:00 AM by Engineering360 eNewsletter

Prenatal exposure to certain common chemicals can put infants at risk of a lower IQ and cognitive impairment, a new study shows. Research from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health compared children of inner-city mothers who had been tested for phthalates exposure during pregnancy. Kids whose mothers had the highest exposure to two specific compounds, di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), were found to have IQs seven points lower on average than those whose moms had the least exposure. Children with higher exposures also showed poorer reasoning and memory skills.

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rashavarek
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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#1

Re: Phthalates Linked to Lower IQ

02/20/2015 9:57 AM

Seven Point? Seriously! That could just be due to watching Sponge Bob.

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SolarEagle
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#2

Re: Phthalates Linked to Lower IQ

02/20/2015 3:14 PM

Confessions of phthalate addict....

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reward54
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#3

Re: Phthalates Linked to Lower IQ

02/20/2015 6:30 PM

Assuming the two sample sizes are equal, a 7 point shift, given that the standard deviation for IQ is 15, is significant at the 95% level. If the High group is "normal", then the Low group is between about 90 and 95 IQ. Not a crippling disadvantage at this point. If the High group starts lower, the Low group drops below 90. We are not told what the High group scored, only that the Low group was 7 points less.

Question: Why wasn't this test performed on a population of high income mothers and their children? It would be interesting to see if a similar shift is seen there, too.
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