Philosophy
This probably is not a severe concern but nevertheless interesting.
Americans are being widely exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals such as those found in nonstick coatings on cookware, the plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA), and many other chemicals found in everyday consumer products, according to the "Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals." The report, released by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on Dec. 10, provides an extensive look at exposure to 212 chemicals, including 75 that have not previously been measured in a representative sample of the U.S. population.
The 75 chemicals new to the list include acrylamide (found in fried, starchy food); arsenic species and metabolites; endocrine disrupters such as BPA and the antimicrobial triclosan; perchlorate (found in rocket fuel); perfluorinated chemicals; PBDE flame retardants; and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, styrene, and the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether.
The data are based on blood and urine samples collected from approximately 2,400 people who participated in CDC's National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2004.
The findings prompted Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics & Environmental Health, to issue a statement highlighting the need to reform U.S. chemical law. "This study affirms that Americans are exposed to a wide range of industrial chemicals--including some that are known to cause cancer--and provides further evidence that America's broken chemical regulations must be fixed," Lautenberg stated.
Lautenberg is expected to introduce legislation next year to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The American Chemistry Council, a trade group that represents the chemical industry, emphasized that the presence of a chemical in a person's blood or urine is not an indicator of health effects. "We now have the ability to measure minute amounts of chemicals," Cal Dooley, ACC President and chief executive officer, said in a statement. ACC stressed that the levels of all of the chemicals measured in the report remain low and that more research is needed to determine whether exposure at those levels is a health concern.
- Apples...public Enemy Number One
Don't blame him; blame the growers. This problem has been known for years and it's not just pesticides but a planned effort to make the fruit last longer and look good. Pity...apples are great. "Apples top most pesticide-contaminated list" by...
- Deadly Toys?
Sometimes I wonder about toy safety regulations. Sure, small parts and detachable items are a concern but this over reaction to chemical components may be unwarranted. The federal government recalls certain toys for excessive use of lead or chromium,...
- Ddt...ya Win Some, Ya Lose Some
"The DDT debacle" by Wiida Basson May 2010 Science in Africa While an estimated 880 000 people – most of them young children – die each year of malaria in the developing world, we may underestimate the potential effects of continued DDT use on future...
- Lisa P. Jackson...epa Administrator
A lessor known member of Obama's staff is moving to the front. "Lisa P. Jackson" EPA administrator is blazing trails, from regulating greenhouse gas emissions to reforming chemical management policies by Cheryl Hogue May 10th, 2010 Chemical &...
- Phthalates Or Norman Bates?
Be afraid--VERY AFRAID...not of Norman Bates but of shower curtains made from "phthalates". The American Chemistry Council has announced that such items are harmful...a reversal of an earlier position. Is this micromanagement gone too far. After all,...
Philosophy
Humans and nonessential chemicals
This probably is not a severe concern but nevertheless interesting.
"Chemicals In People"
Toxic Substances: National biomonitoring report provides assessment of exposure to 212 substances
by
Britt E. Erickson
December 14th, 2009
Chemical & Engineering News
Toxic Substances: National biomonitoring report provides assessment of exposure to 212 substances
by
Britt E. Erickson
December 14th, 2009
Chemical & Engineering News
Americans are being widely exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants, perfluorinated chemicals such as those found in nonstick coatings on cookware, the plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA), and many other chemicals found in everyday consumer products, according to the "Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals." The report, released by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on Dec. 10, provides an extensive look at exposure to 212 chemicals, including 75 that have not previously been measured in a representative sample of the U.S. population.
The 75 chemicals new to the list include acrylamide (found in fried, starchy food); arsenic species and metabolites; endocrine disrupters such as BPA and the antimicrobial triclosan; perchlorate (found in rocket fuel); perfluorinated chemicals; PBDE flame retardants; and volatile organic compounds such as benzene, styrene, and the gasoline additive methyl tert-butyl ether.
The data are based on blood and urine samples collected from approximately 2,400 people who participated in CDC's National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey from 2003 to 2004.
The findings prompted Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics & Environmental Health, to issue a statement highlighting the need to reform U.S. chemical law. "This study affirms that Americans are exposed to a wide range of industrial chemicals--including some that are known to cause cancer--and provides further evidence that America's broken chemical regulations must be fixed," Lautenberg stated.
Lautenberg is expected to introduce legislation next year to overhaul the Toxic Substances Control Act.
The American Chemistry Council, a trade group that represents the chemical industry, emphasized that the presence of a chemical in a person's blood or urine is not an indicator of health effects. "We now have the ability to measure minute amounts of chemicals," Cal Dooley, ACC President and chief executive officer, said in a statement. ACC stressed that the levels of all of the chemicals measured in the report remain low and that more research is needed to determine whether exposure at those levels is a health concern.
- Apples...public Enemy Number One
Don't blame him; blame the growers. This problem has been known for years and it's not just pesticides but a planned effort to make the fruit last longer and look good. Pity...apples are great. "Apples top most pesticide-contaminated list" by...
- Deadly Toys?
Sometimes I wonder about toy safety regulations. Sure, small parts and detachable items are a concern but this over reaction to chemical components may be unwarranted. The federal government recalls certain toys for excessive use of lead or chromium,...
- Ddt...ya Win Some, Ya Lose Some
"The DDT debacle" by Wiida Basson May 2010 Science in Africa While an estimated 880 000 people – most of them young children – die each year of malaria in the developing world, we may underestimate the potential effects of continued DDT use on future...
- Lisa P. Jackson...epa Administrator
A lessor known member of Obama's staff is moving to the front. "Lisa P. Jackson" EPA administrator is blazing trails, from regulating greenhouse gas emissions to reforming chemical management policies by Cheryl Hogue May 10th, 2010 Chemical &...
- Phthalates Or Norman Bates?
Be afraid--VERY AFRAID...not of Norman Bates but of shower curtains made from "phthalates". The American Chemistry Council has announced that such items are harmful...a reversal of an earlier position. Is this micromanagement gone too far. After all,...