2 April 2003


New Zealand scientist Dr Jim Sprott OBE is warning parents and babycare advisers in  Canada about information contained in new Canadian research which proves the generation of highly toxic gas from bedding sheepskins.

The research(1) co-authored by Dr Bill Cullen and others at the Chemistry Department of the University of British Columbia, is scheduled for publication in a research journal later this year.

Dr Cullen’s team has proved indisputably that the highly toxic gas trimethylarsine (derived from arsenic) can be generated from sheepskin used as baby bedding.  However, using data regarding the effects of trimethylarsine when inhaled by mice, the researchers have stated that the amount of this gas generated from sheepskins would be unlikely to result in the death of babies.

“The researchers’ comparison between babies and mice is totally invalid,” said Dr Sprott.  “It is well known that babies can ingest trimethylarsine not only by breathing the gas in, but also by absorbing it through their skin.  Gas generated from a baby’s bedding can readily be trapped around the baby’s skin by clothing and bedding – and a baby’s skin is immature and permeable to gases, including trimethylarsine.  In addition, bedding often contains residues of laundry detergents, and traces of these chemicals on a baby’s skin greatly increases the rate at which gas passes through the skin.  So the researchers’ reference to mice is totally invalid.”

Trimethylarsine is a highly toxic “nerve” gas.  It is an anticholinesterase agent, and a minute dose can result in cessation of heart and lung functions, thereby causing death. 

“Dr Cullen’s proof that bedding sheepskin can generate one of the most toxic gases known is crucial information for parents,” said Dr Sprott.  “It is very important for parents to be warned against using sheepskins as infant bedding.”

Dr Sprott is issuing parallel media releases to Governments, researchers, babycare organisations and the media in the USA, Canada, Britain, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

“I am not prepared to stand by and permit babies – particularly in the ‘sheepskin rich’ countries of Britain, Australia and New Zealand – to be put at risk because a group of researchers in Canada publish a conclusion about sheepskins which is based on an invalid comparison between babies and mice,” said Dr Sprott.

Since late 1994 Dr Sprott has publicised a mattress-wrapping protocol for crib death prevention throughout New Zealand and in other countries, including Canada. This protocol, which covers both mattresses and bedding, specifically warns parents against using sheepskins as baby bedding (based on Dr Sprott’s research into concentrations of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony in sheepskins). 

There has been no reported crib death among the very large number of babies who have slept on mattresses wrapped in accordance with Dr Sprott’s mattress-wrapping protocol.  In New Zealand, since the mattress-wrapping campaign commenced the crib death rate has fallen by 48%(2), and the use of sheepskins as baby bedding has declined significantly in that country.(3)

T James Sprott OBE              10 Combes Road
MSc PhD FNZIC                    Remuera
Consulting Chemist                Auckland 1005
Forensic Scientist                  New Zealand

Phone & fax:     64-9-5231150
sprott@iconz.co.nz


Footnotes:

1. “Arsenic methylation by microorganisms isolated from sheepskin bedding materials”  
Authors: Corinne Lehr, Elena Polishchuk, Marie-Chantal Delisle, Catherine Franz,
Bill Cullen

2. From 2.1 deaths per 1000 live births in 1994 to 1.1/1000 in 2000 (provisional)

3. Ford et al, “Changes to Infant Sleep Practices in Canterbury”, New Zealand Medical Journal, January 2000


Note:  Dr Sprott is a former Honorary Consul for Canada.