A threatening paradox has imposed itself on the United States during the past half-century. We’ve become more technologically advanced scientifically informed and adept in the clinical realm of health care— yet the incidence of diseases like breast cancer prostate cancer childhood leukemia asthma and autism has shot up. And we can’t explain why. Also paradoxical is that we’ve become collectively sicker despite our significant progress against environmental pollution brought about by the vigor of the green movement and a number of important policy interventions.
But now a growing body of evidence suggests we’re waging an invisible war— against chemicals.
The conclusion of World War II and the subsequent industrial expansion led to a deluge of synthetic chemicals. More than 80000 chemicals were brought into use in the past 50 years but few have even been tested for toxicity to children. Our environment has become inundated with synthetic compounds that we only marginally understand.
Among the culprits are chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates synthetic hormones suspected to disrupt the endocrine system. They are found unavoidably in plastics bottled and tap water canned foods cosmetics fragrances and a slew of other products we use everyday. A recent study found that BPA is in 92 percent of Americans. Given that BPA and phthalates are excreted from the human body within about a day this speaks to our continual exposure to these chemicals.
Urgency is beginning to surround the situation as scientists increasingly reference potential links between chemicals and adverse health effects. The Journal of the American Medical Association linked elevated BPA in humans to “an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities.”
There is added concern about environmental toxins upsetting early development. A study on phthalates found that elevated exposure during pregnancy left women more likely to have children with behavioral problems. All this has led to a rush of scientists questioning whether chemicals like endocrine disruptors may also be tied to autism allergies and even obesity. In fact an article just published in Current Opinion in Pediatrics suggests a high likelihood that prenatal environmental exposures interrupt brain development and lead to disorders like autism.
The government has been notoriously absent all the while. Its last major effort came 34 years ago with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) widely regarded as a failure. Under the TSCA the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has been feckless as a regulator restricting only a handful of chemicals and proving unable to ban even conspicuous toxins like asbestos.
The European Union boasts a rigorous chemical safety program and has far outpaced us in consumer protection. Whereas in the United States the burden is on the government to prove a chemical unsafe in Europe the onus is on industry to demonstrate its safety before its use is authorized. Some in Washington have advocated comprehensive reform modeled after Europe’s system and Americans shouldn’t settle for any less.
Just a few days ago the EPA moved BPA to its list of chemicals of concern. This decision is very encouraging. In general the Obama administration has demonstrated a commitment to following scientific evidence. But the reversal on BPA just two years after its approval is also a sobering call to be more supportive of additional research and monitoring.
Going forward we need to support the likes of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) who is writing legislation to overhaul the TSCA and give it the power it needs to be effective and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) who has championed increased research in environmental health.
As we reform health care there should be a keen focus on public health. The reform effort was aimed after all at preserving wellness largely by extending access. Americans should demand that their government get to the bottom of why wellness is so elusive in this country.