Nov 27, 2007

"Are Your Products Safe? You Can't Tell"

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Labels often fail to list compounds that can disrupt biological development
Chemical Fallout

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Warning: Chemicals in the packaging, surfaces or contents of many products may cause long-term health effects, including cancers of the breast, brain and testicles; lowered sperm counts, early puberty and other reproductive system defects; diabetes; attention deficit disorder, asthma and autism. "U.S. regulators promised a decade ago to screen more than 15,000 chemicals for effects on the endocrine system. Officials identified the program as a top priority. Browner appointed the first panel of scientists to build a framework for how to screen the chemicals. She left the agency after the presidential election in 2000.

More than $80 million later, the government program has yet to screen its first chemical. So far, not one has been screened. The government's proposed tests lack new measures that would spot dangerous chemicals older screens could miss. Hundreds of products have been banned in countries around the world but are available here without warning." Read more from Susanne Rust, Meg Kissinger, and Cary Spivak

Key Findings A Journal Sentinel investigation found:
U.S. regulators promised a decade ago to screen more than 15,000 chemicals for effects on the endocrine system. So far, not one has been screened.
The government's proposed tests lack new measures that would spot dangerous chemicals older screens could miss.
Hundreds of products have been banned in countries around the world but are available here without warning.