Scientists: Ubiquitous household chemical could be killing cats

[Calliegirl]

This is scary, how can you get away from it?

SEATTLE -- A chemical threat lies hidden in millions of American homes, and top government scientists believe it could be killing cats.

Right now in the special session of the state legislature, lawmakers are fighting powerful interests to ban versions of the chemical.

Dr. Dennis Wackerbarth is a top expert on hyperthyroidsim, and he said countless numbers of cats die from the disease each year.

Millions of indoor cats have been hit in recent decades by thyroid glands that go crazy, switching their metabolism into high gear. They become ravenous, yet their bodies waste away until they die.

Scientists examined the places where indoor cats spend their time, especially on furniture and the floor. A groundbreaking government study found "significant association" between the cat illness and certain flame retardants.

The chemical, in one variation or another, is added to all sorts of things found in nearly every American home, including foam padding, carpet pads, appliance chords, electronics, children's clothes and more.

At precisely the time flame retardants became heavily used in the 70s and 80s, indoor cats started dying of thyroid problems. Now those flame retardants are widely viewed with concern about unintended effects...

Scientists: Ubiquitous household chemical could be killing cats

 

[Amy SF]

Very scary.

 

[mlp]

Thyroid problems are usually very, very treatable.

Thyroid problems are being seen (or at least diagnosed) more in dogs now is also. Hypothyroidism (as opposed to hyperthyroidism) is in many cases linked to an insufficiency of a certain mineral in foods. Apparently the area in which I live has an insufficient amount of that mineral in the soil, and that ends up affecting the entire food chain. My vet says hypothyroidism used to be seen with much greater frequency in certain specific geographic areas, but now that food crops raised in areas such as this one end up in the food chain all over the country, the rates of hypothyroidism don't vary that greatly from area to area.