All of us are affected by chemical toxicants
You can find synthetic chemicals in everything from baby bottles to pet food, toys, detergents, carpets, furniture—in every corner of our lives.
The blood of nearly every American contains hundreds of toxic chemicals, including those used in flame retardants, food packaging and even rocket fuel.
They may be in your drinking water. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 9% to 34% of U.S. drinking water supply sources tested contain one or more toxic chemicals.
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Quick Facts
Bisphenol-A (BPA)
- BPA is used in many products, everything from food can linings to credit card receipts
- It's linked to infertility, low birth weight, breast and prostate cancer, and metabolic disorders
- 97% of Americans have BPA present in their bloodstream
- Scientists have even found BPA in the blood of newborn babies
Toxic chemicals can damage children's developing minds
Exposures to toxic chemicals in the womb, during infancy and childhood can result in lifelong problems with learning, behavior and development.
Children's metabolisms and developing immune systems are less able to get rid of contaminants or reduce the toxicity of pollutants.
Plus, children take in more food, fluids and air than adults, per pound of body weight and spend more time on the ground putting objects and hands into their mouths, resulting in more contact with chemicals.
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Quick Facts
Of the 3,000 chemicals produced at more than 1,000,000 lbs/year:
- we know ten are neurotoxins that can cause or contribute to learning and developmental disabilities
- we have good evidence that another 200 are also neurotoxins
- we know some disrupt the endocrine system and can impair thyroid development, which is essential to healthy brain development
Teens at risk from toxicants
Many teens don't realize products they use every day may contain chemicals that can disrupt their still-developing biochemistry. These products often aren't required to be tested for safety.
Yet they can contain hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds, which may cause harm with repeated exposure. And research is showing teens may be particularly sensitive to even trace levels of chemicals like the ones found in these products.
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Quick Facts
Many American teens often use up to 15 to 25 personal care and cosmetic products per day.
Common toxicants
- Hydroquinone used in:
facial cleansers, dye synthesis - Formaldehyde used in:
nail polish, furniture, plywood - Coal tar used in:
shampoo, hair dyes, asphalt
Toxic chemicals prevalent in health care equipment
Health care institutions regularly use a surprising number of toxic materials. Some are known carcinogens, while others can damage the skin and organs.
Many of these chemicals are used daily by hospital staff, but most are hardly regulated. Reports show a link between hospital substances and asthma, and a high incidence of cancer among children of nurses.
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Quick Facts
Chemical toxicants in health care settings
- mercury
thermometers - phthalates
IV bags and plastic gloves - triclosan
cleaners and disinfectants - brominated flame retardants
furniture - dioxin
incinerated medical waste
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Posted: 20-Apr-2010; Updated: 27-Jul-2010
