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Table 4 Informed Choice

From: Pregnant Women’s perceptions of exposure to brominated flame retardants

THEME IV: Informed Choice

Comments

IVA: Information Provision

“…there’s…so many hazards for the mother and the baby that just…providing a good source of information [on BFRs] would be helpful.” RP12

“…I guess it should be known that there is a concern in regards to the chemical that is being used [such as BFRs] and leave it up to the individual…let them…be known it’s a risk…” RP5

“…if the person has the choice, if they go on the government resource…you could at least look at that and see, well, they’re saying [BFRs]…could be risk, so I don’t need to [be concerned] but I could…” RP4

“…I think there should be…a warning link…if there is even a hint of possible threat to our lives…it should definitely be brought to everyone’s attention and then it’s for people to choose whether they want to go from there.” RP3

“…pamphlets at doctors’ offices would probably work the best.” RP3

“…I think that we should have the opportunity to know everything that you would, say, a drug that a doctor’s prescribing you…or a procedure that you’re going to have done, you should be able to make the informed decision on your own instead of having it [BFR exposure] forced upon you.” RP9

IVB: Product Labelling

“…I don’t think I’d go as far as prohibiting their [BFRs] use. I would say the labeling, letting the consumers make a choice…you can’t just say, oh but there’s nothing wrong until we find out…where consumers are aware, things are clearly labeled…the information’s out there for people to get to make the choices that they need.” RP9

“…a warning label would be something that would be considered. I would always look for that cause I do generally read labels, so, something visual on the product would really stand out and makes you think twice about purchasing it [products containing BFRs].” RP7

“…it’s [products containing BFRs] no different than the genetically modified food, they should be labeled as well, so that we can make our own informed choices…” RP9

IVC: Early Initial Contact

“…there’s a [BFR] risk to pregnant women…you should be informed before you get pregnant so that you can avoid those risks…” RP4

“I would want to hear about it before I was pregnant, if I had the chance. Cause I would want to avoid it through the whole pregnancy if possible.” RP19

“I think it [discussion about the potential harms BFRs] would have to be done preventatively… probably through a healthcare professional if you’re within childbearing age your physician will recommend folic acid, or making sure you’re taking your supplements. So they probably should be knowledgeable about this so they can also talk to you about this preventatively…” RP7