Babies enter the world with hundreds of industrial chemicals, solvents and pesticides in their veins, according to a new study of umbilical cord blood released by the Environmental Working Group.

The finding, in the words of one public health expert, "completely destroys the long-held medical myth that the placenta is an impervious barrier."

The pollutants, the study concludes, cross the placenta as easily as residue from cigarettes or alcohol.

"To the same degree scientists have found toxic chemicals invading the bodies of adults," said Bill Walker, the group's West Coast president, "we are now finding they can reach infants in the womb, so they are literally born polluted."

Industry representatives cautioned on Wednesday that the results "are not an indication of a risk to health and should not be cause for alarm."

Chris VandenHeuvel, spokes-

man for the American Chemistry Council, reiterated a stan

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