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Barry Richardson, an English biochemist, reported in 1989 that he had
identified a 100% correlation between used crib mattresses a baby had die upon
for unexplained reasons and the presence a particular fungus.
In his laboratory, Richardson used the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and a species of
fungus commonly referred to as mildew, which he had found in 200
mattresses. These mattresses were obtained from parents who had lost a
baby. Richardson
demonstrated a biochemical interaction between chemical compounds in the PVC and
the fungus, which produced a toxic gas. Richardson could only conclude
that there was a likely relationship between this gas and the death of the baby
who was sleeping upon it..
The interaction he identified he believed was capable of releasing hazardous
gases in the vicinity of a newborn. The gases he successfully isolated came from arsenic and antimony.
Phosphorus, arsenic and antimony had been added to PVC after World War II,
which also correlated with the recognition and subsequent identification of
a syndrome which was characterized by relatively normal post mortem exams. The gases of each of these similar
elements are extraordinarily toxic.
| The accidental poisoning explanation for
unexplained infant deaths, which Richardson hypothesized in 1989 may have been confirmed
in 1994 when a significant number of liver tissue samples taken from crib
death babies demonstrated unusually high amounts of antimony. |
Richardson's subsequent argument suggesting a biological interaction
with chemicals and an accidental poisoning was strongly supported by a
realization that poorer mothers, who were more likely to rely on a used crib
mattress, had the greatest likelihood of
having an infant die.
These interaction and maternal circumstance factors led Richardson to
recommend that a simple, heavy gauge, non-porous polyethylene cover be
placed over mattresses containing PVC, while the dangerous elements were
being removed from the mattress manufacturing process in England. Richardson
also recommended in 1989 that infants be placed on their backs for sleep.
| The United States continues to have over
3000 unexplained infant deaths each year. Neither
mothers, nor medical caregivers have received any warning of this hazard. Manufacturers
in the United States have
taken no steps to eliminate this danger.
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If an accidental poisoning possible the problem becomes mainly environmental and socioeconomic.
This will require education and immediate
protective measures. No baby should be allowed to sleep on a previously
used mattress containing chemicals and mildew. The media played a very important role in England and New Zealand by presenting
Richardson's evidence, which allowed parents to decide what to do. The majority,
after learning about this danger, prefer to have their babies sleep in a
chemical and mildew free environment. A polyethylene cover over an
existing mattress appears to be more effective in accomplishing this objective
than a new mattress. A polyethylene cover is also far less
expensive.
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