Positively Against Pollutants ~ Discovery, May 2000
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 23:58:54 -0700
From: ilena rose
ilena@san.rr.comTo: Recipient List Suppressed:;
~~~ thanks to Martha M ~~~
POSITIVELY AGAINST POLLUTANTS
Few environmental threats are as ominous, or as bitterly debated, as the man-made chemicals that mimic or counteract developmental hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. These pollutants include common plastics as well as pharmaceuticals and PCB.. Theo Colborn, director of the wildlife and contaminants program at the World Wildlife Funds signs that such chemicals are responsible for health problems in humans and animals. Other researchers argue the data are inconclusive. Discover associate editor Josie Glamsiusz asked Colborn to comment.
Whats the evidence that these contaminants are hazardous?
The first evidence came decades ago from wildlife. Male birds were developing ovotestes instead of proper testes. Even today in the Great Lakes some fish eggs aren't making it to maturity. Bald eagles that come in to reproduce cant. If they do have a chick, it has crossed bills and clubfeet.
What about effects on humans?
The most insidious are seen in children whose mothers had one part per million or more PCBs in their bodies when pregnant. At age 11, the more highly exposed children had a 6.2 point IQ deficit and were as much as two years behind in reading. There is also circumstantial evidence. About one in every 125 boys in this country now has a condition at birth called hypospadias, in which the opening of the urethra isn't at the tip of the penis. And testicular cancer has increase by 400% over the last 20 - 25 years among men aged 17 to 41.
What Is To Be Done?
I'm calling for a new Manhattan Project. During World War II we set up the Manhattan Project and within three years, with industry help, we produced an atom bomb. Industry has profited from these chemicals, and its now time for them to put money into the pot. In a couple of years, an independent institution could complete testing on these chemicals.
What is our planets long-term environmental outlook?
I'm an eternal optimist. I've seen what industry can do when they put their minds to it. Think agour Y2K! We were headed for a disaster, and industry said, "Were not going to let this happen." They put millions into it, and the funny thing is, it didn't hurt the economy. I am thoroughly convinced that testing chemicals is going to help the economy. And we will be so much healthier.
Source: Discover, May 2000