I whole-heartedly endorse the Safe Chemicals Act mentioned in Ian Urbina's April 13, 2013 New York Times article, THINK THOSE CHEMICALS HAVE BEEN TESTED. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sunday-review/think-those-chemicals-have-been-tested.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 But, I take issue with the presumption that
pesticides are tested and safe for the marketplace. If the synthetic pesticides are “safe”, why
are they banned or regulated for “cosmetic” lawn care in most of Canada and
Europe? Why do various states like New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey have
laws regarding their use on school grounds, public parks and playing fields? Why
are Harvard and the University of Colorado at Boulder and other colleges as
well as various cities, school systems and finally, hospitals not using
traditional chemical grounds care?! It can, indeed, be said that like with the
majority of chemicals in use today, the same holds true of most pesticides—that
they have never been tested independently as well as together! The American Academy of Pediatrics warns about pesticide use:
Pesticides are a collective term for chemicals intended to kill unwanted insects, plants, molds, and rodents. Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their potential toxicity. Acute poisoning risks are clear, and understanding of chronic health implications from both acute and chronic exposure are emerging. Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems. Related animal toxicology studies provide supportive biological plausibility for these findings. Recognizing and reducing problematic exposures will require attention to current inadequacies in medical training, public health tracking, and regulatory action on pesticides. Ongoing research describing toxicologic vulnerabilities and exposure factors across the life span are needed to inform regulatory needs and appropriate interventions.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/6/e1757.full
Public health is at great risk and it is high time we put our heads together to regulate the chemical industry. We have rules for just about every aspect of our lives and yet we have been permitting toxic pesticides, and chemicals in general, to be manufactured and used despite their huge cost to society. All of us, businesses included, will benefit from having safer alternatives in the marketplace.
Pesticides are a collective term for chemicals intended to kill unwanted insects, plants, molds, and rodents. Children encounter pesticides daily and have unique susceptibilities to their potential toxicity. Acute poisoning risks are clear, and understanding of chronic health implications from both acute and chronic exposure are emerging. Epidemiologic evidence demonstrates associations between early life exposure to pesticides and pediatric cancers, decreased cognitive function, and behavioral problems. Related animal toxicology studies provide supportive biological plausibility for these findings. Recognizing and reducing problematic exposures will require attention to current inadequacies in medical training, public health tracking, and regulatory action on pesticides. Ongoing research describing toxicologic vulnerabilities and exposure factors across the life span are needed to inform regulatory needs and appropriate interventions.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/130/6/e1757.full
Public health is at great risk and it is high time we put our heads together to regulate the chemical industry. We have rules for just about every aspect of our lives and yet we have been permitting toxic pesticides, and chemicals in general, to be manufactured and used despite their huge cost to society. All of us, businesses included, will benefit from having safer alternatives in the marketplace.
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