UC-Berkeley Study Finds Hazardous Chemicals at Alameda, Monterey Child Care Centers

Researchers at UC-Berkeley studied the air and floor dust at 40 child care centers in Monterey and Alameda counties and found that every center contained hazardous polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. The authors said such chemicals -- which often are used in flame retardants -- have been linked to numerous health effects, including neurodevelopmental delays in children.

• "Study Finds Hazardous Flame Retardants in Preschool, Child Care Settings" (Yang, Health Canal, 5/15).