[Pharmwaste] New concerns over chemicals in plastics and body products, NBC news report

DeBiasi,Deborah dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
Tue Feb 26 14:22:48 EST 2008


Good job on this, Helen!


http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=7922678

New concerns over chemicals in plastics and body products

Posted: Feb 25, 2008 04:36 PM EST 

New concerns over chemicals in plastics and body products 
  
Monday, February 25, 2008

Reported by: Joe Vignolo, Helen Chickering, NBC News

(Videos on the site)

NATIONAL

There are new concerns over chemicals in plastics and body products that
have scientists at odds with each other and the public in a panic.

Could the same products that moisturize and protect children's skin end
up affecting their fertility?

Clearly not a question most parents ponder in the grocery store, but one
that hits at the core of ongoing scientific study, public debate, and
hype over the potential health impact of chemicals used to make personal
care products and plastics. 

"I've heard to avoid certain numbers, a lot of the sippy cups, because
of the phthalates," said one parent.

Phthalates are a family of chemical compounds that soften plastic, and
even help fragrances linger longer. 

Bisphenol A makes plastics clear and strong, and is in resins that coat
the inside of canned foods. 

The reason for concern? Evidence suggesting these compounds may affect
the developing reproductive system. The Environmental Protection
Agency's Earl Gray studies phthalates in animals.

"In the rat, we know that in-utero that several of the phthalates
disrupt the testes function in the male, so that he produces lower
levels of hormones," said Ph.D. Research Biologist Earl Gray.

But figuring out the human impact is proving to be quite a challenge for
scientists. Meantime, what's a plastic-panicked parent to do?

"Well, it's hard, because the story is incomplete," said Gray.

The Environmental Working Group's Sonya Lunder says concerned parents
can take steps to reduce exposure.

"Quick simple things parents can do are use fewer body care products on
their children," said Sonya Lunder, M.S. with the Environmental Working
Group.

Determining which products contain the chemicals isn't so simple, as
they are not typically listed on labels. 

Lunder says fragrance usually means a product contains phthalates, and
on plastics, the letters PVC or the number 3. Seven for bisphenol, which
is also in canned food. 

"Basically, it's trying to be moderate without trying to be too
extreme," said one parent, a task that's proving to be quite a challenge
for parents. 

While scientists hash out the potential human health effects, one thing
is for certain: these chemicals are everywhere. 

Studies by the Centers for Disease Control found phthalates in the urine
of 75 percent of people tested. Bisphenol was present in 95 percent of
study subjects.


Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
FAX:      804-698-4032



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