The first inventory of its kind has found that hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals are building up in the bodies of Americans.
The
analysis from Environmental Working Group (EWG), based on more than 1,000 biomonitoring studies—which measure the burden of certain chemicals present in the human body—and other research by government agencies and independent scientists, found that up to 420 chemicals known or likely to cause cancer have been detected in blood, urine, hair, and other human samples.
"The presence of a toxic chemical in our bodies does not necessarily mean it will cause harm,
but this report details the astounding number of carcinogens we are exposed to in almost every part of life that are building up in our systems," said Curt DellaValle, author of the report and a senior scientist at EWG.
According to the report,
Pollution in People, carcinogens detected in biomonitoring studies come from diverse sources, including:
- Industrial chemicals
- Commercial products including flame retardants in furniture and other items; dry cleaning chemicals; styrene in plastics; nonstick, waterproof and grease-resistant chemicals in cookware, clothing and food wrappers; other chemicals in paints and hair coloring; and flavoring and fragrance ingredients
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Byproducts of combustion, heating and disinfection
- Solvents
Read the entire report
here.
Comment: 'The report details the astounding number of carcinogens we are exposed to in almost every part of life.' The 'landmark' report by the EWG is yet another confirmation of the toxic environment that has become the reality of everyday life. While the conclusions are not really surprising, nothing will be done to change the current situation! Big corporations are not in the business of protecting people from indiscriminate chemical poisoning!
2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the Toxic Substances Control Act. But there is little to celebrate. Signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1976, the TSCA has been sharply criticized for failing at what it was meant to do: protect public health and the environment from the tens of thousands of chemicals that saturate the marketplace, and the hundreds of new ones that are introduced every year.
Adding to the concern is the fact that the law hasn't been significantly updated since it was enacted, during which time some 22,000 new chemicals have entered American commerce, with around 700 new ones rolled out each year. Many of these chemicals — most of which did not previously exist in nature — have been widely dispersed throughout the environment, into the air, soil and water where some will persist for decades, or even centuries.
The figures are staggering. Every year, around 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released by American industries. In 2011 alone, 16 new chemicals accounted for nearly 1 million pounds. There is far too little testing of these substances: Only a fraction of the nearly 3,000 high-production-volume (HPV) chemicals — chemicals that have an annual production run of at least one million pounds — have been studied for their potential toxicity. According to the EPA, the agency has "only been able to require testing on a little more than 200 existing chemicals" out of the 62,000 that have been introduced since the TSCA's enactment. The EPA has banned just five.
Comment: 'The report details the astounding number of carcinogens we are exposed to in almost every part of life.' The 'landmark' report by the EWG is yet another confirmation of the toxic environment that has become the reality of everyday life. While the conclusions are not really surprising, nothing will be done to change the current situation! Big corporations are not in the business of protecting people from indiscriminate chemical poisoning!