Two Day Magazine

82,000 Chemicals and Counting...

Ever heard of the TSCA? (That stands for the Toxic Substances Control Act). This chemical safety law was enacted in 1976 and was created to protect us from serious illnesses that could be prevented by controlling what chemicals were permitted in our every day products. This was monumental at the time, giving the government the control it needed to regulate private industry from running amok with our health.
 
Sadly, even though there are more and more chemicals being introduced into our lives every day, the TSCA has not stepped up to the plate to regulate these chemicals, even though health care providers, environmental and reproductive health advocates and scientists have strongly encouraged the TSCA to grow a pair and do their job.

What is their job, exactly? The TSCA should be testing everyday household items like baby bottles, food containers, personal hygiene and beauty products, children’s toys and our water for dangerous and toxic chemicals. But, they are not. Due to their spinelessness and inability to stand up to corporations and lobbyists, the TSCA has put everyone’s health at major risk. These chemicals that we absorb every day (unknowingly, at times) are causing infertility in women as well as reproductive health issues in both sexes.

Who is at the highest risk? Pregnant women and children, of course. Being exposed to even low levels of toxic chemicals have been associated with learning and developmental disabilities, reduced fertility, childhood cancers, early puberty and autism. (To name a few.) These chemicals can build up in the body over time, and can  have a seriously negative impact on fertility and overall health.

What’s worse is that lower-income communities are affected by these chemicals at a disproportionate rate. Think of your typical Family Dollar stores. This is oftentimes where unsafe toys and products go to die. A lot of the products sold to these chains have often times discontinued or recalled due to safety issues. No regulation means that they can still technically sell these misfit toys and housewares products without fear of the government stepping in. What’s worse is the chemical effects of hair relaxers and skin lighteners (primarily marketed to minorities) have not been regulated or monitored, and reproductive and environmental justice organizations are concerned as to what these nasty chemicals do to women long-term.

What are some chemicals that are harmful?

BPA (Bisphenol A--which has since been removed from plastic products like baby bottles from the bottle maker, Nalgene) is a hormone disruptor that negatively impacts the balance of hormones that are required for  the regulation of our reproductive health system. It is still found in the lining of canned foods, infant formula, plastic water bottles and other beverages. What’s crazy, though, is that Nalgene did not remove BPA due to pressure from TSCA. They removed it due to consumer pressure. In fact, use of BPA has not been restricted or regulated by the government!

Diazinon is a combustible chemical that is corrosive to the eyes and highly neurotoxic. It has been shown to be toxic to birds as well as human fetuses and can cause severe birth defects. It is found in lawn pesticides, flea collars, lawn care companies and home exterminators.

DDVP (Dichlorvos) is a skin and eye irritant that is also highly neurotoxic, as well as being carcinogenic. It can cause weird abnormalities in sperm and reproduction. It is found in flea collars, pet flea-control products and no-pest strips.

Ethylene glycol is a flammable substance that irritates the eyes, skin and respiratory system. It is absorbed through the skin and is a reproductive toxin, can cause kidney, blood and liver damage, as well as being a neurotoxin. It is found in shoe polish, antifreeze, metal polishes and car waxes.

Phthalates are a family of chemicals that make plastics more flexible and are commonly found in fragrances, medical devices, cosmetics, and vinyl, have been linked to endometriosis, infertility and early puberty. The TSCA hasn’t regulated this group well AT ALL and they are still found in every day products, including kids’ toys! They have been banned by the EU in 1999, but the US hasn’t done anything to prevent these from invading our homes and bodies.

Toulene is an eye and skin irritant that is a neurotoxin that can cause cardiac sensitization as well as negative reproductive effects. People have brought lawsuits against the use of this chemical, and yet it still exists in spot removers and art products.

There are literally 82,000 chemicals that the United States produced and used everyday.  Since the EPA has been around (34 years now) they have only been able to test 200 of these chemicals and get this? Only 5 HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED.

Interestingly enough, Maine has recently decided to echo the EU’s approach to regulating toxic chemicals. They are requiring the maker of toxic chemicals to notify state authorites of the purpose and amount of the chemical in question and work develop safer, better alternatives. Maine sponsored a study of 13 people to see if they had any potentially toxic chemicals in their bodies. All 13 did. One woman (who was 31 years old) stated to Reuters.com:

“I just got married last summer and am interested in having kids in the next few years, and those chemicals could have a dangerous impact on me and my ability to bear children.”

So what can we do? We can write our legislators at the state and federal level, encouraging them to get with the program and start regulating the chemical industry much more closely. We can boycott brands that contain known carcinogens, like the ones listed above. For a more complete list of toxic household chemicals, go to: http://www.preventcancer.com/press/pdfs/hazardous.pdf.

There is also growing evidence to suggest that adopting a plant based diet can prevent carcinogens from being “turned on” and wrecking the different systems of the body. The China Study, by T. Collin Campbell, Ph. D. and Thomas M. Campbell II, gives a great argument in support of a vegan lifestyle in combatting carcinogens in the body by decreasing the amount of acid in our system. (Acid that is formed when we eat dairy and meat products.) Acid is a perfect environment for cancer to thrive, and creating an unfriendly place for cancer first starts with our diets.

Unfortunately, none of the suggestions I made are very comforting when it comes to the overwhelming reality that there are so many chemicals that we know so little about, and the adverse effects that they could be having on our bodies and world are mind boggling. However, knowledge is power, so spread the word and maybe each little ripple of this newfound empowerment could create great waves of change and a better life for our future generations. To your health!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Diazinon and other organophosphates have been removed from the market due to consumer and environmental concerns, so it is unlikely to see these in products, unless you bought them before they were taken off shelves, years ago.