Look into my eyes.

When you have about 200 toxicologists, pediatricians, epidemiologists and other experts who get together and declare that exposure to common chemicals makes babies more likely to develop an array of health problems later in life, wouldn’t you think our governmental agencies and industry groups would be concerned? Well, no, they aren’t. Why? Because particularly in the United States, they said there is little or no human evidence to support concerns about toxic residue in air, water, food and consumer products. Yet as a nation, we are seeing more asthma, allergies, respiratory illness, confusing and alarming increases in autism, and other behavioral disorders like ADD and ADHD. What is it going to take for these governmental agencies and industries to begin to revise regulations and procedures that would take this into account? With profit and big business interests more important than human health, I don’t see these issues getting any attention any time soon. So, what’s the story?

There was recently a convention of 200 scientists from five different continents who stated that diabetes, attention deficit disorders, prostate cancer, fertility problems, thyroid disorders and even obesity are more likely to develop from common environmental exposure as babies. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times by Marla Cone, what the scientists are saying is that when fetuses and newborns encounter various toxic substances, growth of critical organs and functions can be skewed. In a process called “fetal programming”, children are susceptible to diseases later in life when exposed to toxic chemicals. They are even saying that perhaps this could be passed on as altered traits to their children and grandchildren.

In their four-page statement that outlines their position, they state “subtle effects during early development can lead to functional deficits and increased disease risks later in life”. They go on to say:

‘fetal programming’ hypothesis has gathered much support from both experimental and epidemiological studies. Substantial evidence now suggests that the prenatal and early postnatal environment is of crucial importance for gene expression, thereby affecting normal development and disease risks through adult life.

Don’t look at me. I’m mad at you!

There is also the Barker Hypothesis which was conceived by a British scientist in 1992, which basically states that “disturbed intrauterine growth has a negative influence on the development of the cardiovascular system and favors the occurrence of hypertension, insulin resistance, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperuricemia in adult life”.

The scientists have concluded that this is now well-documented for toxic exposures by a large collection of animal and some human data. Yet, no one listens. Scientists have urged government leaders not to wait for more scientific certainty and recommended that governments step in to increase regulation to take into account the subtle effects on fetal and infant development.

Dr. Bruce Lanphear, director of the Environmental Health Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center says, “we shouldn’t wait for an epidemic to fully mature before we develop policies to protect children”. For centuries, toxicologists have been warning that the dose makes the poison. Now they are saying that it is the timing that makes the poison. And our most vulnerable of all citizens are being thrown under the bus. How much longer are we going to have to wait?

With news of autism increasing ten fold in some areas and dramatically increasing in others, it is already approaching epidemic proportions. See the attached chart that counts the incidence of autism state by state from the Department of Education. This isn’t even the latest data which only illustrates the increase in 1999-2000. If this doesn’t get your attention, nothing will.

With little to no help from regulators and the industry, we all have to get smarter about controlling our own environments. It is important especially if you have young children, to be cautious about the everyday chemicals you use, from baby shampoos to toilet cleaners. Become more conscious in your purchases and just be aware of the effects of chemicals that we have for years taken for granted as being safe. These very chemicals may be effecting you, but most importantly your children. So, be smart, be “green”, pay attention!