Research Which Confirms
the Toxic Gas Theory for Crib Death (SIDS)
Publication of the toxic gas theory:
- The toxic gas theory for crib death (SIDS) was published
by British scientist Barry Richardson in 1994: Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome: a possible primary cause, Journal of the Forensic Science
Society 1994;34(3):199-204
Publication of proof of the gas generation involved:
The fungal generation of extremely toxic nerve gases from compounds of
phosphorus, arsenic and antimony has been demonstrated many times
over the last century. Recent confirmations are:
- Toxic gas generation from plastic mattresses and sudden infant death
syndrome, Lancet 1995;346:1516-20
- Confirmation of the Biomethylation of Antimony Compounds,
Applied Organometallic Chemistry 1997; Vol. 11, 471-483
Publication of proof of the presence of fungal growth in
babies' mattresses:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a possible primary cause, Journal of
the Forensic Science Society 1994;34(3):199-204
- Final Report of the Expert Group to Investigate Cot Death
Theories: Toxic Gas Hypothesis (Limerick Report), May 1998
Publication of proof of the presence of the elements
phosphorus, arsenic and antimony in babies' bedding:
Publication of proof of the generation of highly toxic gases
from compounds of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony in babies'
mattresses and other bedding:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a possible primary cause, Journal of
the Forensic Science Society 1994;34(3):199-204
- The evolution of phosphine from cot mattress materials, M G
Fitzpatrick, Department of Chemistry, University of Auckland (Final
Report, December 1997)
- Arsenic methylation by micro-organisms isolated from sheepskin
bedding materials, Human & Experimental Toxicology (2003)
22:325-334
Publication of proof that the re-use of mattresses increases the
risk of crib death (a corollary of the toxic gas theory):
- Case-control study of sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland,
1992-5, British Medical Journal 1997;314:1516-20
- Used infant mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland:
case-control study, British Medical Journal 2002;325:1007-1009
Proof that the risk of crib death rises from first to second
babies in families; and from second to third babies; and from
third to fourth and later babies; and that babies of solo
parents are at higher risk again (a corollary of the fact that
re-use of mattresses increases the risk of crib death):
- Analysis of official British cot death statistics (Source: Office of
National Statistics, United Kingdom)
The finding of the rising risk of crib death from one sibling to the next
refutes every proposition that crib death has a medical cause. The more
times an unwrapped mattress is used from one baby to the next, the
greater is the risk of crib death.
This accounts for the higher crib death rate among poorer families, who
are more likely to sleep their babies on previously used mattresses.
If a mattress contains any of the elements phosphorus, arsenic or
antimony, and if certain household fungi have become established in the
mattress during prior use, any generation of toxic gas commences sooner
and in greater volume.
Publication of proof that later babies in a family are more at risk
of crib death than first babies (a corollary of the fact that
re-use of mattresses increases the risk of crib death):
- Risk factors of sudden infant death in Chinese babies, American
Journal of Epidemiology 1997;144:1070-73
Publication of proof that face-up sleeping reduces the risk of
crib death:
- All studies which show that face-up sleeping reduces the risk of crib death (of which there are many) support the toxic gas theory. Face-up
sleeping reduces the risk because the gases concerned are more dense
than air; they diffuse away from a baby's mattress towards the floor, so a
baby sleeping face-up is less likely to ingest them.
Publication of proof that crib death babies show physiological
effects of gaseous poisoning:
- Decreased Kainate Receptor Binding in the Arcuate Nucleus of the
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Journal of Neuropathology and
Experimental Neurology 1997;56:1253-61
- Synaptic Neurochemistry of Human Striatum During Development:
Changes in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Journal of
Neurochemistry 1993;60(6):2098-2105
Publication of proof that the crib death risk varies with mattress
type:
- New Zealand Cot Death Study (1987-1990)
Publication of proof that the crib death risk in Britain is less on
PVC-covered mattresses:
- CESDI study (Britain), reported in Lancet 1995;345:720
Any part of a baby's mattress which contains the chemicals phosphorus,
arsenic and/or antimony is capable of the gas generation which causes
crib death.
If, therefore, a mattress is covered with a gas-impermeable diaphragm
which does not contain those chemicals, the risk of crib death is eliminated.
Accordingly, following removal of those chemicals from British
plastic-covered mattresses from 1989 onwards, the risk of crib death in
Britain is less on PVC-covered mattresses (which are very frequently
used in Britain).
Thus the finding by the CESDI study that babies are less at risk on
PVC-covered mattresses supports the toxic gas theory for crib death.
Book regarding the toxic gas theory for crib death:
- Jim Sprott, The Cot Death Cover-up? (Penguin Books, New
Zealand 1996, Britain 1997).
Publication of statistical results of the New Zealand
mattress-wrapping campaign:
- Giftige Gase im Kinderbett (Toxic Gases in Infants' Beds),
Zeitschrift fuer Umweltmedizin (Journal of Environmental Medicine)
2002; 44:18-22. For a summary of the statistical results, click on the
sidebar heading Statistics.
- Cot death - Cause and Prevention: Experiences in New Zealand
1995-2004, Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 2004;
14(3):221-232
|
