Well! It’s been a while…since my last post folks! My apologies for those who’ve been waiting for an update…
A very interesting issue that I’ve been following for some years now is the pre-pollution of children’s health, before they even come out of their mother’s womb.
Just recently Ken Cook-President of the EWG (Environmental Working Group) testified in a U.S. Senate hearing. Ken Cook co-founded EWG in 1993. He is the author of dozens of articles, opinion pieces and reports on environmental, public health and agricultural topics.
This is what he told the Senators.
“Toxic industrial chemicals slip past the mother’s placenta just as they have slipped through the Toxic Substances Control Act, and until this law is reformed we’re all defenseless, starting with babies in the womb,” said EWG President Ken Cook.
“The late, great environmental attorney and champion Al Meyerhoff used to joke that ‘TSCA’ (Toxic Substances Control Act) should stand for “Toxic Substances Conversation Act” because about the only thing it has ever resulted in for thirty years is talk,” Cook added. “Now even the law’s longtime defenders in industry recognize that TSCA must be modernized if public confidence in the safety of chemicals and consumer products is to be restored.”
Babies are coming into this world pre-polluted with synthetic toxic chemicals.
Groundbreaking scientific studies have been documented, by EWG. Pollution begins in the womb. EWG laboratory tests have found an average of 300 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of 10 newborns born in the U.S in August and September of 2004.
Just to name a few of these chemicals:
· BPA (Bisphenol-A) - may disrupt the hormonal system, and it is found in common everyday products like many bottles and cans. Manufacturers use BPA-based lining on the metal portions of formula containers for babies. Tests of liquid formulas by FDA (Food Drug Administration) and EWG show that BPA leaches into the formula from all brands tested.
· Perchlorate - is used as an ingredient in solid fuel for rockets and missiles, construction of highway safety flares, fireworks, pyrotechnics, explosives, common batteries, and automobile restraint systems. Perchlorate contamination has been reported in at least 20 states. Perchlorate greatly impacts human health by interfering with iodide uptake into the thyroid gland. In adults, the thyroid gland helps regulate the metabolism by releasing hormones, while in children, the thyroid helps in proper development. Perchlorate is becoming a serious threat to human health and water resources.
· PCB’S (Polychlorinated biphenyls)- The most commonly observed health effects in people exposed to extremely high levels of PCBs are skin conditions. Studies in workers exposed to PCBs have shown changes in blood and urine that may indicate liver damage. Common symptoms include dermal and ocular lesions, irregular menstrual cycles and a lowered immune response. Other symptoms included fatigue, headache, cough, and unusual skin sores.
Additionally, in children, there were reports of poor cognitive development.
There have also been studies of the health effects of PCBs in the general population and in children of mothers who were exposed to PCBs.
The best way to stop this pre-pollution is to enact the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act, which would require that chemicals be proven safe for children before they can be sold.
But lawmakers in Washington need to know that you want them to reform their broken toxics laws, with the hope that other countries follow suit.
Now is the time for Congress to introduce the Kid-Safe Chemicals Act!
The chemicals found in Commercial Skin & Body Care products are increasingly linked to serious long-term health effects, from childhood autism and cancer to ADHD, learning deficits, infertility, and heart disease.
These chemicals are already in us. The risk of disease and illness is very serious.
We need a system for assessing chemicals so our children get the healthy start they deserve.
The longer Congress waits, the more babies are exposed.
If you are concerned about this problem, please sign EWG’s Action Fund's petition to Congress!
Join the 1000's of other Americans and International individuals who are telling Congress it's time for a real federal toxics law that will make chemicals in consumer products safe for kids.
Click here to add your name to the Action Fund’s petition.
Governments need to hear from you right now!
Don’t you think it’s time we try to change these irresponsible laws.
We need to speak up for a new national chemical policy that places human health front and center - right where it should be!
Thanks for reading!
Venice Harmsen
Jah Naturals (Non-Toxic Body Care Australia)
