Toxics in People

Toxics in People What would it feel like to learn you are contaminated with toxic chemicals that permanently damage laboratory animals? What would it feel like to learn those chemicals come from the shampoo, soda cans, baby bottles and thousands of other products you and your family use every day?

Thirty-five Americans from seven states participated in a national biomonitoring project in the spring of 2007. This is the broadest non-governmental project of its kind to measure toxic chemicals in the bodies of average Americans.

Each participant was tested for contamination by 20 toxic chemicals from three chemical families: phthalates (THA-lates), bisphenol A, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

The project found toxic chemicals in every person tested.

  • All 35 participants had at least seven of the 20 chemicals in their bodies.
  • All 33 participants who contributed urine samples had phthalates in their bodies.
  • All 33 participants who contributed urine samples had bisphenol A in their urine.
  • All 35 participants had six types of PBDEs in their bodies, and all but one had decaBDE.

No one can shop, eat or exercise his or her way to a body free from toxic chemicals.

We shouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary, dangerous chemicals as we go about our daily routines. We can improve our health and the health of our communities by adopting these common sense policies, which are already advancing at the state and federal levels:

  • Phase-out the most harmful chemicals and switch to safer alternatives;
  • Require that all chemicals are screened for safety and that toxicity data and product ingredients be made publicly available;
  • Promote the development of safer alternatives and environmentally friendly “green” technologies;
  • Protect workers and communities where toxic chemicals are produced, used, and disposed.

Americans need a new, comprehensive federal policy to raise the standards governing chemical use in society. Some states are taking the lead to create new solutions that could be applied nationally. To learn more about what is happening in your state or in Congress, visit www.IsItInUs.org.

Other Biomonitoring Projects

Maine:

In June, 2007, the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine released a biomonitoring report, “Body of Evidence,” which studied 13 people in the first-ever study of chemical pollution in Maine people. The study found a total of 46 different chemicals (of 71 tested) in samples of blood, urine and hair. On average, each participant had measurable levels of 36 toxic chemicals in their bodies.

For more information about "Body of Evidence," click here.

Washington State:

In May, 2006, the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition tested the hair, blood and urine of 10 Washington residents for the presence of toxic chemicals. Every person had at least 26 and as many as 39 of the toxic chemicals tested for. This pollution in people came from everyday activities and products.

For more information about “Pollution in People” see www.pollutioninpeople.org.