The Globe and Mail: Study links kids' cancers to moms' exposure to pollutants
Globe and Mail, By ANDRÉ PICARD, Tuesday, January 18, 2005 - Page A17
"Most childhood cancers are likely caused by pollutants expectant mothers are exposed to during pregnancy, according to a new study. Those at greatest risk live close to busy roads and industrial areas, researchers found.In particular, they found children born of mothers living near "emission hot spots" of particular chemicals were two to four times more likely to develop leukemia and other childhood cancers before age 16. "Most childhood cancers are probably initiated by close, perinatal encounters with one or more of these high-emission sources," said George Knox, a professor emeritus at the University of Birmingham in Birmingham, U.K. Emissions that appear to raise cancer risk the most include carbon monoxide created by burning fossil fuels (notably gasoline used by vehicles) and 1,3-butadiene, also a by-product of internal combustion engines. Researchers also looked at the effect of various other industrial and environmental pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (both of which are associated with oil burning), as well as dioxins, benzene, and benz(a)pyrene. These chemicals can be found in engine exhaust, and smokestack emissions from various industrial and refinery processes. Dr. Knox said these chemicals -- many of which have been shown to be carcinogenic in animal tests -- are likely breathed in by the mother and passed on to the baby through the placenta. But he said that "effective direct exposure in early infancy, or through breast milk, or even preconceptually, cannot be excluded...."

Cindy Lange-Kubick: Breast is best -- for babies - Lincoln Journal Star
"I love it when the word breast is slipped into a front-page headline, because it guarantees the story will be well-read. But on the off chance you missed last Friday's piece — "Supporters applaud breast-feeding bill" — I'll fill you in. If passed, LB104 would protect the right of Nebraska's mothers to breast-feed in public. It seems ridiculous that such a law would be needed, but we Americans are funny when it comes to breasts. We like our Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue breasts. And our Victoria's Secret breasts. And our giant Internet porn site breasts. We like breasts to sell Buicks and breasts to promote football games and breasts to serve us hot wings and cold beer..."

ABC 7 News - ABC 7 Medical: Breast Milk On-Line
 uesday January 11, 2005 5:50pm
Reporter: Kathy Fowler  
-WJLA Script-

Anchor:
THE PRACTICE OF WOMEN SHARING BREAST MILK IS NOTHING REALLY NEW. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR CENTURIES.

BUT WHAT IS NEW.... IS THE PHENOMENON HERE IN THE U.S. IN WHICH WOMEN, OFTEN PERFECT STRANGERS ARE EXCHANGING BREAST MILK THROUGH THE INTERNET. ..."
"

Herald.com | 01/10/2005 | New moms need to transition back to work: "
BY AMY JOYCE
Washington Post Service

"WASHINGTON - After her son was born 14 months ago, Denise Lane-White returned to her job as a patent attorney with a bit of trepidation, like many mothers who return from maternity leave. But also like many moms, she was looking forward to getting back to work, although she knew the transition would not be simple after 12 paid weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of vacation time. "It was actually a little easier than I expected,'' she said. ``I missed the intellectual stimulation of my job. I maybe also prepared myself for being totally devastated. I was sad, and I missed my baby during the day. But it wasn't the [all]-encompassing devastation I expected.''..."