Buying "BPA-free" isn't enough to keep us safe
Originally appeared in the New York Times as an Op-Ed on May 9th. Thanks to Dominique for letting us re-blog it here!
Suddenly, there’s a baby boom going on around me. I’m making weekly shopping trips to stock friends’ nurseries, and I’m struck by how many signs on the shelves advertise BPA-free bottles, BPA-free sippy cups. It breaks my heart. Manufacturers might be removing BPA, a chemical used to harden certain plastics, from their products, but they are substituting chemicals that may be just as dangerous, if not more so. Read the rest of this post »
Week 5: n-Hexane
Why the chemical is considered of concern:
n-Hexane in its pure form is a colorless, volatile liquid that gives-off a gasoline-like odor. In industrial applications, n-hexane is most commonly mixed with other similar chemicals to produce solvents. These solvents are in turn used in industry for extraction and cleaning purposes. n-Hexane is also found in several consumer products.
n-Hexane is neurotoxic. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure to high levels of n-hexane in people causes mild central nervous system (CNS) effects, including dizziness, giddiness, slight nausea, confusion and headaches. Chronic (long-term) exposure to n-hexane in air results in peripheral neuropathy in people, with numbness in the extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headache, and exhaustion. Effects can be long-term or permanent.
How the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 would fix TSCA
On April 14, 2011, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), a comprehensive bill aimed at revamping the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act.
We're encouraging you to contact your Senators and ask them to cosponsor the bill. EDF Senior Scientist Richard Denison prepared a comparison to show you why. Read the rest of this post »
Week 4: Phthalates
Part of our Chemicals of Concern series.
Why the chemicals are considered of concern:
Phthalates are a whole family of related chemicals that are most commonly used as plasticizers. As plasticizers, phthalates are added to plastics found in hundreds of commercial and industrial products in order to achieve desired properties such as increased flexibility, resilience and softness. Read the rest of this post »
Week 3: Methylene Chloride
Part of our Chemicals of Concern series.
Why the chemical is considered of concern:
Methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor. Methylene chloride is used in many different industries, primarily as a solvent. It is also found in numerous consumer products (see below). Exposure to methylene chloride most often occurs through inhalation of contaminated air, but may also occur through skin contact or drinking contaminated water. Read the rest of this post »
Week 2: Nonylphenols and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates
Part of our Chemicals of Concern series.
Why the chemicals are considered of concern:
Nonylphenol (NP) and Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs): NPEs are surfactants that are common ingredients in many formulated consumer products, and are also used in various industrial applications and pesticides. NP is primarily used to make NPEs.
NP and some NPEs are persistent in the environment, moderately bioaccumulative and extremely toxic. Other NPEs are not as toxic and are less persistent, but are still highly toxic to aquatic organisms; moreover, these NPEs can degrade in the environment back into NP. The widespread and multiple uses of these chemicals mean they can enter our food chain and water supply, raising serious concerns about both human and environmental exposures. Human biomonitoring data reveals the presence of NP in human breast milk, umbilical cord blood, and urine.
Week 1: Formaldehyde
Part of our Chemicals of Concern series.
Why the chemical is considered of concern:
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)—the United Nations authoritative research body on cancer—has classified as a “known carcinogen”, (i.e., a substance that causes cancer.) Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of cancer among people regularly exposed to formaldehyde in the workplace. In addition, studies in rats have found that exposure to formaldehyde causes nasal cancer. IARC concluded in 2009 that formaldehyde causes leukemia in people.
The mildest symptom of over-exposure, especially for those with sensitive skin, is skin irritation. If breathed-in in small amounts, formaldehyde can cause burning and watering eyes. As levels increase, it can cause burning of the nose and throat, coughing, and difficulty in breathing.
Where it is most commonly found: Read the rest of this post »
Chemicals of Concern Series Introduction
Part of our Chemicals of Concern series.
Decades ago the chemical industry assured American consumers that potentially toxic chemicals used in everyday products like furniture and plastics would not be absorbed into our bodies – and therefore posed no risk to human health. We now know differently: As chemicals have become ever more pervasive in our society, government studies show that hundreds of synthetic chemicals are in the bodies of all Americans. They are even present in newborn infants due to exposures in the womb coming from their mothers during pregnancy. Read the rest of this post »
Polling Shows Public Overwhelmingly Supports Safer Chemicals Legislation
Public opinion research conducted by the Mellman Group for the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition has found that Americans overwhelmingly support a major overhaul of our outmoded chemicals policies. (See a description of how the polling was conducted.)
Support crosses party lines
The poll found that 94% of Democrats, 77% of Independents and 70% of Republicans support legislation similar to the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010. Further, a total of 84% of those polled want tighter controls on chemicals, including 75% of Republicans and 82% of Independents.
TSCA Vs. Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010
Comparison by EDF senior scientist Richard Denison
Download a printable version [PDF] or a more detailed analysis [PDF]. Read the rest of this post »