BALTIMORE -- A study released this week said that flame retardant pollution can be found all over most households and that those compounds are finding their way into the bloodstream.

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Laboratory tests found that in 19 of 20 U.S. families, concentrations of the toxic chemicals polybrominated diphenyl ether, or PBDE's, were at an alarmingly high amount in children ages 1 to 4.

Lab studies have found that a single dose of PBDE administered to mice can cause permanent changes in behavior.

For years, many people have assumed that fire retardant clothing is good for children, but a study currently shows that might not be true.

The study released by the Environmental Working Group found that children ages 1 to 4 have three times the amount of fire retardant chemicals in their systems than their parents.

"There had been assumption for a while that if the parents level was high, the child's level was probably similar. This new study shows us that in fact, they are sometimes three times higher," said Brenda Afzal of the University of Maryland School of Nursing.

Fire retardant chemicals can be found all over the home, including on children's pajamas and in sofas, chairs and other upholstery.

"They're not chemically bonded to the material that is in those objects. So, it can easily get off onto children's' hands. It gets into the dust in the house, and that way it can be breathed in," said Kristi Horvath of Maryland PIRG, a public advocacy group.

Many parents said they're concerned.

"If I can have her wear pajamas that don't contain these chemicals and still protect her, then I would definitely rather do that than expose her to potentially harmful, toxic chemicals," said parent Kate Canada.

"There are alternatives to these products and there are safer methods that can be used, in terms of production of these products," Afzal said.

Maryland PIRG said that in Europe, fire retardants with PBDE's have been banned.