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During a biomonitoring, people's blood and urine were
tested for traces of chemicals in three potentially hazardous classes of
compounds found in common household products like upholstery, shampoo,
tin cans and shower curtains.
The results were not reassuring. All of the
participants tested positive for all three classes of contaminants.
Obviously there are chemicals in our bodies that
don’t belong there. The Centers for disease control has found hundreds
of chemicals in Americans of all ages, including lead, mercury, dioxins
and PCBs. Other scientists have detected antibacterial agents from
liquid soaps in breast milk, infants’ cord blood and the urine of young
girls.
Scientists say we are now awash in a chemical brew
of hormone-mimicking compounds that didn’t exist 100 years ago. These
chemicals have changed the nature of nature.
Bisphenol A is a basic constituent of
polycarbonate plastics found in baby bottles, sippy cups and juice
bottles. It is also found in dental sealants, CDs, DVDs and the resin
linings of food and beverage containers, including many cans and takeout
cartons.
Chemical Industry reports that even though 92
percent of Americans age 6 and older who were tested and found to have
present bisphenol A, it is safe…and the FDA agrees.
Not the case say reproductive biologists.
Phthalates, used to soften plastics, as in rubber duckies, help preserve the fragrance in shampoos and lotions have also
raised concerns.
Last but not least there are the flame-retardants, PBDEs. They make an appearance in fabrics, upholstery, foam mattresses,
circuit boards and the casings of computers and televisions and escape
into indoor air and dust.
Studies show they can have negative impacts on
learning and memory, sperm counts and thyroid. PBDEs tend to linger in
the body and one mixture in particular seems biologically active.
It could take decades to resolves doubts about the
safety of all these chemicals, one way or another. But, I am not
waiting.
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