Science Daily (January 16, 2011) is reporting that in a recent study of 268 pregnant women, 99 percent tested positive for multiple chemicals, including banned ones. This is especially alarming because of the link between some of these chemicals and "preterm birth and birth defects, childhood morbidity, and adult disease and mortality."
"[R]esearchers detected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), phenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perchlorate in 99 to 100 percent" of the pregnant women analyzed. These chemicals can be found in flame retardants, non-stick cookware, personal care products, pesticides, and even canned goods.
A few ways women can reduce chemical exposure include eating organic foods, using natural cleaning products, use only BPA free plastics, and invest in air and water filters. Research any beauty products (makeups, perfumes, lotions, and hair products) before using: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/. An excellent book on this topic is Raising Baby Green.