Choice Words

Everything in our world is connected by the delicate strands of the web of life, which is a balance between the forces of destruction and the magical forces of creation. – Fern Gully

As technology and science advance within our society we need to acknowledge the ways in which they affect our environment and how the environment impacts us. Here at Choice USA we have been involved in a number of conversations in the past year discussing environmental toxins and their impact on our reproductive health systems. Researchers are finding alarming rates of harmful chemicals in baby’s products (like bottles and food can linings) even after credible studies stated that bisphenol A was harmful.

These showed that BPA can cause “breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, low sperm counts and miscarriage in laboratory animals,” according to a related article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Off gasses from PVC contain a major source of Phthalate exposure. When PVC is the most cost effective drainpipe material used in homes and vinyl chloride is used in furniture the exposure to these toxic chemicals is astronomical. Unfortunately, children and pregnant women are the most susceptible to these chemicals. This of course means that the poor are the most susceptible group as they are the least likely to get sufficient health care and testing.

The findings, released in the February issue of Pediatrics, shows a direct link between use of baby shampoo, lotions and powder, which contain phthalates to stabilize fragrances, and the presence of phthalates in babies’ urine samples. “Right now, we still don’t know the true long-term effects,” says study author Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana. But, she said it’s wise to “decrease the amounts of products used, especially in newborns.” While companies aren’t required to list phthalates on their labels, consumers can seek out fragrance-free, organic products. In tests, phthalates have been linked to male reproductive problems.

California is one of the first states to take steps to prevent phthalates in children’s toys.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm and is filed under environmental justice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.