Chemicals found in detergents, shampoos linked to birth defects

Parents’ exposure to chemicals often used as disinfectants and preservatives in the household and personal products such as detergents, shampoos, and conditioners may be associated with birth defects in children, researchers have warned.

The study, conducted on both mice and rats, showed that the chemicals — known as quaternary ammonium compounds or “quats” — can lead to birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord.