In an article in the Reuters News Service, Theo Colburn,
a scientist with the World Wildlife Fund, and co-author of the book
Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and
Survival?-A Scientific Detective Story , is quoted as
saying, "The evidence is here, and the weight of evidence is
powerful. This is enough to wake people up!"
The book, Our Stolen Future, explores the various
aspects of the calamitous health effects from chemicals such as pesticides,
plastics, and from industrial processes. This book explores not only
research on the link between these chemicals and cancer, but also to their
effect on the bodies hormone systems.
Ten scientists from universities, hospitals, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Academy of Science,
organized a comprehensive research effort to study the effects of these
chemicals on the human reproductive system.
It was found that these chemicals seem to lower sperm
counts in men. Evidence shows that men's sperm counts have dropped worldwide
since these chemicals were introduced in the late 1930s.
Zoologist Theo Colborn, of the World Wildlife Fund, and
her co-workers, have compiled a list of 42 chemicals (or classes of
chemicals), that have been reported to affect the reproductive and/or
hormone system.
These chemicals have also been linked to the disruption
of other human reproductive and metabolic functions.
According to Christopher DeRosa, director of the Health
and Human Services Department's Division of Toxicology, "Given the
environmental, economic and biological impact of endocrine-disrupting
chemicals, difficult decisions regarding the abatement of health hazards are
necessary."
Micropollutants have been linked to cancer.
These chemicals can mimic naturally occurring, biologically active
compounds, also known as estrogen mimics. These substances appear to disrupt
intercellular communications.
As an example, nonyl-phenol, which is a common chemical,
increases proliferation in breast tumor cell cultures.
In the mid 1980s, high levels of a common industrial
chemical solvent called tetrachloroethylene, or perc, was found in the water
supplies of several Massachusetts towns. The subsequent studies linked
exposure to this chemical to a none fold increase in the development of
leukemia and bladder cancers.
This same chemical has been found, at lower levels, in a
quarter of the water samples around the country.
The information presented here is just a "tip of the
iceberg." There are thousands of reports, and hundreds of studies
being conducted at this time.
We can not afford to wait. While we may not be able
to see, smell or taste many of these chemicals, they still pose a
serious health threat.
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