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Can an explanation which is both logical and simple, such as the accidental poisoning etiology of
unexplained infant deaths, create a problem? The answer is yes. The very fact that manufacturers have been allowed
to use phosphorus, arsenic and antimony by governmental regulations that result in material
safety data sheets (MSDS) that do not require any mention of these elements,
a
major problem.
In the United States the problem may be even greater, because voluntary programs for removing
phosphorus, arsenic and antimony have already been established in other countries just in case
an accidental poisoning might be occurring. To date, no publicity has been given to the accidental poisoning explanation for
babies dying, in spite of all the
circumstantial evidence. Neither the US government
nor the medical community, especially the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has given this explanation
serious attention. The measures
that have been undertaken in New Zealand and Great
Britain have
for the most part been in spite of the government,
and at odds with traditional medicine, but consistent with common sense.
The research that has demonstrated the fungal generation of toxic gases from
crib mattresses has been funded by the chemists themselves. Public money
has been spent only on flawed and failed attempts by government agencies to
disprove this research. Sadly, the United States continues to perform poorly in terms of
infant mortality recently slipping from 19th to 24th place in the World.
Strangely, no one appears to be interested in attempting to explain 3000 infant deaths each year or the potential long-term toxicity of exposure to
antimony. Instead the AAP prefers to point fingers at at
parents and daycare workers. Consequently, in all likelihood, complex and expensive research
and proposed solutions will continue to push aside potentially simple and
inexpensive solutions that can do no harm.
Why hasn't this explanation received any attention in the United States?
As a nation, the U.S. continues to have 3000 unexplained infant deaths each
year with the greatest incidence in lower socioeconomic
groups. Why hasn't an alert gone out? Why is no one even talking about an easy and inexpensive method of covering
a used mattress, which in the worst case scenario will do no
harm, and if the gas theory is right, could possibly prevent many
of these deaths each year?
While the American medical community has scoffed the possibility of
an accidental poisoning, babies continue to die at a rate of one every three hours.
Would it
not be reasonable for community minded individuals, particularly in those
groups of highest incidence, to take control with or without the support of the medical
community.
It is not necessary to embrace a toxic gas theory to conclude that
it is unreasonable to ignore the possibility that mildew and PVC chemicals may pose a significant
hazard to a newborn. Consequently, an inexpensive
mattress cover, that will fit a used bassinet or crib mattress, may offer an immediate advantage, thereby filling
the existing void. If the death rate in the United
States decreased another 30-40%, as it has elsewhere another unscientific breakthrough would occur.
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