Toxic Nation | Pollution. It's In You.

Photo from thedailygreen.com Triclosan – a man-made antibacterial found in many soaps and sanitizers – has, perhaps, seen more encouraging days. While its use in all kinds of antibacterial consumer products continues to grow (think toothpastes, cutting boards, socks), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) questioning of the substance also seems to be expanding.

BPA, the hormone-mimicking chemical banned from baby bottles in Canada is also known to be used for carbonless copy papers (i.e., most cash-register and credit-card receipts) and thermal imaging papers. These may potentially be another significant source of exposure that requires addressing.

A new interactive web site graphically depicts the latest science surrounding the effects of controversial chemicals on babies in the womb. “Critical Windows of Development” is an electronic database that presents a timeline of fetus development and provides information on the potential health effects that can result from low exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

The latest article by Martin Mittelstaedt published in the Globe and Mail outlines how males are being affected by levels of synthetic hormones in our products and our environment. Painting a frightening picture of decreasing male birth rates, lower virility, smaller reproductive organs in baby boys, and higher rates of testicular cancer, the article includes statements from some of the leading researchers in the area of endocrine disruptors.

Exposed: The toxic chemistry of everyday products

Who’s at risk and what’s at stake at American Power

by Mark Schapiro

Chelsea Green Publishing 2007

A consensus statement signed by over 50 international health professionals and scientists from the Collaborative on Health and the Environment’s Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative shows us a summary of concerns associated with learning and developmental disabilities. According to the experts, children are more susceptible to the negative effects of toxic chemicals.

Are you interested in participating in an important new documentary for CBC television on the subject of endocrine disruptors (like Bisphenol A) in the everyday environment that interfere with our hormonal systems and disrupt the body’s normal functions.

For the film, the documentary filmmakers are focusing on how these chemicals seem to disproportionately affect boys and men. They are looking to speak with people or families struggling with the following issues: