Current Issues – Five Chemicals and Human Health

1. Current Issues – Five Chemicals and Human Health

2. 1. Asbestos • A group of 6 natural minerals – thin crystal-like fibers. • Mined in Asbestos, Quebec • Absorbs sound, heat, chemicals • Has been used in insulation, cement, floor tiles, drywall, pipe wrap……

5. Fibers can be inhaled and lodge in the lungs  asbestosis / cancer

7. Banned for most use in Canada now but……… • April 26/2011 – Prime Minister Harper visits Asbestos, Quebec and defends the export of Asbestos to other countries for “safe and controlled use” • http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/canada-labelled-immoral-asbestos-pusher-as-harper-visits-quebec-mining-town/article1999035/

8. Safe and controlled use?

10. Safe and controlled use? Can Canada really guarantee that the asbestos it sells will be used in a way that does not cause human health issues?

11. June 2010 – protests in New York, Washington and Seoul, South Korea

12. 2. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) • Anthropogenic (manufactured) • Used in plastics, fabrics, furniture, bedding, electronics…. • Very effective at slowing down residential fires

13. 2. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) • Building up in the environment – water, plants, animals (bioaccumulates) • Exposure to dust (inhalation) – workers • Ingestion of food with BFRs • Swedish study (late 90s) – increase in breast milk

14. Nervous system development, liver effects, cancer (animal studies only) • IKEA banned use in their products, Sweden followed, EU followed

15. Do we really need BFRs in our pillows!

16. 3. Bisphenol-A (BPA) • Polycarbonate plastics (hard plastic) • Lining of canned foods • Thermal paper (some receipt machines) • Mimics estrogen (female hormone) – endocrine disruptor • Can leach out of plastic (especially when microwaved) • Banned in baby bottles (Canada, 2009)

18. The U.S. Response? (FDA) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1HRpjl1VTc Listen carefully for a brief mention of Canada!

20. PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES Is "BPA-free" the Same as Safe? • The new Nalgene water bottle is made of a "copolyester" plastic manufactured by the Eastman company with the trade name Tritan. They (and others using Tritan) advertise the fact that their bottles are BPA-free, with the implication that BPA-free is the equivalent of safe. But we have no way of knowing because the ingredients that make up Tritan have been kept secret. They could include another dangerous chemical...or not. Since the ingredients have not been identified, no one can say.

21. 4. Pthalates • Added to plastics to make them flexible (softeners) + detergents, shampoos, plastic bags….. • Children most exposed (chewing plastic toys….) • Endocrine disruption – affecting sexual characteristics (early puberty), low birth weights….. • Partial bans / restrictions currently

22. An Industry Website promoting pthalates

23. 5. Tricolosan – antibacterial chemical (bacteriacide)

25. Triclosan can pass through skin and is suspected of interfering with hormone function (endocrine disruption). • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists detected triclosan in the urine of nearly 75 per cent of those tested • The European Union classifies triclosanas irritating to the skin and eyes, and as very toxic to aquatic organisms, noting that it may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. Environment Canada likewise categorized triclosan as potentially toxic to aquatic organisms, bioaccumulative, and persistent. In other words, it doesn't easily degrade and can build up in the environment after it has been rinsed down the shower drain. In the environment, triclosan also reacts to form dioxins, which bioaccumulate and are toxic. • Currently under review (US FDA) and in Canada (Environment Canada)

26. In August 2009, the Canadian Medical Association asked the Canadian government to ban triclosan use in household products under concerns of creating bacterial resistance and producing dangerous side products (chloroform).