Why is the CPSC Denying the Risks of Chemical Exposure for Kids?
Posted April 3rd, 2009 by stefanieWhen I became a mother, I always thought that I could trust products that I purchased for my children. Now, every day, it seems, a new scientific study emerges showing chemical exposure in products we once thought to be safe.
How did this happen?
Well, if we all thought the deregulation of the finance industry hurt us, just wait until we grasp the extent of harm from the deregulation of the chemical industry.
Things were so bad during the Bush administration with political appointee and industry influence and interference with scientists working on these issues in our government, that Union of Concerned Scientists polled many government scientists to document the phenomena. Of course, this interference and influence impacted regulations and may have allowed toxic chemicals in products that should have never hit the marketplace in the first place.
Now, with a new administration, it is still shocking to hear a government bureaucrat repeat the old industry rhetoric, unchallenged by reporter Jon Hamilton, in an attack on an awakened consumer public and refreshingly intelligent Congress in a “news” story on National Public Radio.
Consumer Product Safety Commission staffer Marilyn Wind accused health advocates and Congress of “panicking” over phthalates, a toxic chemical now banned in products for children.
When one looks at Wind’s record, she has been resolutely defending phthalates, and interestingly, using outdated studies conducted, in part, by phthalate make Exxon Mobile, as her evidence. Shame on Dr. Wind for being a front person for the chemical industry while enjoying a position where she is supposed to protect our health and the health of our children.
Physician and scientist for Natural Resource Defense Council, Dr. Sarah Janssen, gives a compelling response to Wind’s comments regarding the scientific study on this dangerous chemical. The Breast Cancer Fund is calling for an immediate overhaul of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to rid our government of this holdover from the regime that just about did us all in. We should join together to insist that the Consumer Product Safety Commission uphold its duty to protect our children, and support scientists who are current with the increasing health data on dangers of chemicals like phthalates.
A new Danish study, for example, identifies more cases of autism where children are exposed to phthalates from the off gassing of poly vinyl chloride flooring. Environmental Health News reported on this and many other stories on chemicals hurting our health.
We’ve heard that the chemical industry is hiring moms to blog with the messaging that concern about chemical exposure is unnecessary panic; this could be all part of a big push to negate the efforts of so many to finally regulate chemicals and protect our children.
If the chemical industry and the manufacturers who use those chemicals refuse to be ethical and responsible, than we need a government that will tell them: Develop safer products or you’re out of business! And if NPR airs a story that accepts, unchallenged, this industry messaging, how can we trust National Public Radio?
2 Comments
May 12, 2009 at 2:16 am by ShavondaAs a former government employee highly involved in the decision- and policy-making process, I can guarentee you that no policy is going to resurrect overnight to eliminate the many sources of toxins. And even if it were possible to create the policies, the man-power does not exist within government to enforce it in individual homes. You are doing the best thing here: question current practices, inform others, and make changes in your own/family’s lives. If you want to take control of your life, you can access a cost-effective, comprehensive line of natural, safe products that will improve your health and wellbeing, while protecting the environment as well. Once we shift our collective financial support from main stream providers, their voice will become powerless and our solution will be heard! Stay the course.
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May 11, 2009 at 12:18 am by JulieI was of the same impression. They wouldn’t sell it if it wasn’t safe, right? WRONG!! Having six great kids, I’m appalled at the number of toxins found in our everyday household products. Only in the past six months have I personally started investigating the matter. The use of alternate names to disguise the “most commonly known as” names of chemicals/toxins is calculated deceit by both the manufacturers and our government. Then, I discovered the process of “outgassing” and how it attributed to the increase in cancer rates among women and children.
From my personal research, I am outraged! I have a child who must be on breathing treatments. Another one with eczema and a learning disabilty. Then, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer cells in 07/08. After extensive research, I was able to locate a wellness company that addressed all my family’s needs and concerns and remove the toxic products from my home. However, why should we have to seek safer alternatives when we pay some mighty salaries to others to have the best interest of ALL the great people of this nation? How much is enough? Corporations justify the lack of testing and safety research projects as an overexpenditure. Such research and testing would not allow the products to remain cost effective for consumers. Thus, arising the need for additional healthcare for the average person and children. I’d be willing to pay a little more for SAFE products versus the outrageous expense of healthcare/treatments caused by and/or attributed to the presence of toxic, caustic, or otherwise harmful products in my home. I have to ask myself if members of the CPSC would have these products in their homes around their family?
Julie
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