Definitive Link Between Chemical Toxins and Health Problems

Higlights of article below, full text at http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/67238.

"If individuals and the public are properly educated about chemical toxicants, they will be empowered with the choice to make decisions to protect themselves and their offspring; without knowledge, the choice is precluded," says Stephen J. Genuis, a researcher in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta, Canada. Genuis says recent research demonstrates a definitive link between chemical toxicants and potential health problems, including congenital defects and gynecological disorders. Nevertheless, Genuis stated, "There has been limited exploration of the relationship between contemporary chemical exposure and reproductive medical issues in mainstream obstetrics and gynecology literature. Credible scientific study is emerging, however, which raises disquieting evidence about the potential for environmental toxicants to profoundly affect the health and well-being of individuals at all stages of life."

Over the last half-century, more than 75,000 new synthetic chemicals have been introduced. An 'innocent until proven guilty' approach remains in effect for chemical agents; proof of safety is generally not required before products go to market. Adverse chemical agents may be inhaled in many homes, schools, and workplaces. Various personal care products inflict dermal exposure to chemical toxicants. Although small exposures may seem insignificant, many chemicals bioaccumulate (collect into larger amounts) within the human body. Chemicals can alter communication between cells and disrupt cellular and tissue regulation, often disrupting hormones. Individuals have differing genetic vulnerabilities and may exhibit differing responses to the same exposure. Doses of environmental chemicals asserted to be 'safe' are based on many assumptions and are typically derived from animal experiments. It is not ethical to intentionally expose a human to a potentially toxic substance in clinical trials, therefore the actual impact of chemicals on humans has not been evaluated and no claims to safety are warranted.

"Vociferous claims that insufficient proof exists to establish a link between common chemical exposure and harm as well as protestations by some industry that the benefits and expediency of chemical use outweigh the risks have contributed to confusion regarding chemical toxicity."

Legislation like the Kid Safe Chemical Act, recently proposed by Senator Lautenberg, is just the beginning. We all need to become more involved in approaching our legislators to regulate toxic chemicals. For a sample letter to your legislators, see "Inside MCS America: Activist's Corner" in the July issue of MCSA News or contact admin@mcs-america.org.