Chemical testing results startling

I was delighted to see that the Bangor Daily News covered the results of the body burden study released by the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, “Tests on 13 Mainers find industrial chemicals” (BDN, June 12). The body burden study tested the blood, hair and urine of 13 volunteers whose lifestyles ranged from organic farmers to politicians. This study looked for the presence of 71 different chemicals and 46 of the 71 were detected in the volunteers.

Many of the chemicals that were found in the volunteers are known to have adverse health effects. For example, a type of toxic chemical known as phthalates was found in some of the participants. Phthalates are found in everyday vinyls, adhesives and beauty products and are believed to threaten reproductive health. I cringe at the thought that nasty chemicals like this are probably in my home.

More and more children are born with disabilities that can be traced back to some of these synthetic chemicals, which makes the decision to have children harder than it used to be. For many people, the thought of bringing a newborn child into the world is heartwarming. However, learning that I might someday pass toxic chemicals onto another generation is saddening.

I don’t want to stand by while my body is being polluted with these dangerous chemicals; I don’t deserve it and my future children don’t either. Ninety percent of the chemicals produced in the United States have not been fully tested for public safety before they are put on the market. How can a product be labeled as “green” without testing it first? Most people assume that we have some sort of process requiring that chemicals have to be proven safe before they are dispersed to unsuspecting consumers. You would think it would be illegal to sell cancer-causing toys and other everyday consumer products in stores. I know I did.

The Bangor Daily states “The report’s authors recommend… [that] manufacturers provide health and safety information on chemicals” and “advocate that any chemicals be proved safe, especially for children, before use.” I am excited that there is a way for Maine to fix this problem. There is a concrete solution that will dramatically reduce the amount of pollution in people.

The authors of the report recommend that the state pass a comprehensive chemicals policy in 2008. Maine has the option to drastically reduce the amount of chemicals released into the environment. If our leaders in Augusta choose, they could spend the 2008 legislative session working towards this type of chemical reform.

A comprehensive chemicals policy would hold companies accountable by requiring them to demonstrate that all of their chemicals are fully tested before they hit the market and have companies test the chemicals that are currently being sold here in Maine. If our leaders are bold enough to pass this type of legislation, companies will be required to replace dangerous chemicals, such as phthalates, if there are safe, affordable and effective alternatives available. In the event that a product contains a chemical and there is not an immediate alternative available, they should be required to put a label on the product honoring our right to know if it contains dangerous chemicals.

We can all agree that it makes sense to have a “surgeon general’s warning” on cigarettes, so perhaps it is time to have a similar advisory on products containing chemicals that may cause learning disabilities, developmental disorders, reproductive health problems and cancers.

A comprehensive chemicals policy would assure all Maine citizens, parents, and children that the products being sold to us in stores are safe. We at the Maine People’s Alliance, in coalition with the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine believe it should be our right as Maine citizens and consumers to know the health risks connected with the products used in our homes and everyday lives.

This issue concerns everyone. We need our environment to be clean, not only for our children but for our children’s children as well. These chemicals in our environment are just so insidious; we need to take comprehensive action now. To be effective we can’t keep tackling one hazardous chemical at a time.

Please call or write to your legislators in support of a comprehensive chemicals policy that would protect everyday Maine consumers from dangerous toxic chemicals. We have a right to know if we are using products that threaten our health.

Ashley Zook of Bangor is a member of the Maine People’s Alliance and is co-chair of MPA’s Environmental Strategy Committee.