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.
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.
Of the 3,000 chemicals produced at more than 1,000,000 lbs/year:
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.
Many American teens often use up to 15 to 25 personal care and cosmetic products per day.
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.
EDF is proud to be a founding member of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition, a nationwide effort to pass smart federal policies that protect us from toxic chemicals. Many coalition partners are central to our I am Not a Guinea Pig campaign, including:
The coalition also includes many other individuals, organizations and businesses representing over 11 million Americans.
