[Pharmwaste] Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

[DeBiasi, Deborah (DEQ)]

http://socyberty.com/issues/exposure-to-toxic-chemicals/


Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

It is not surprising that the CDC report confirms that the U.S.
population is exposed to more than 200 chemicals found in the
environment. What is surprising is that the report has identified a
number of chemicals for the first time in the U.S. population.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released an assessment on the
exposure of the U.S. population to more than two hundred chemicals found
in the environment.  The assessment was based on a two year study in
which blood and urine samples from 2,400 individuals were collected and
analyzed.

It is not surprising that this report confirms that the U.S. population
is exposed to more than 200 chemicals found in the environment.  What is
surprising is that the report has identified a number of chemicals for
the first time in the U.S. population. These are commonly used
substances that are used as fire retardants, plastic food containers and
non-stick cookware. 

 Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are fire retardants used in the
manufacture of household products such as televisions, computers and
residential upholstered furniture.   One type of polybrominated diphenyl
ether,P BDE-47, was reported for the first time in blood samples of
nearly all participants in the study.

 Each type of PBDEs has different uses and different toxicity. In 2009,
three major producers of Deca-BDE arrived at an agreement with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop producing, importing and
selling Deca-BDE by the end of 2012. Taking a more proactive approach,
the State of Washington passed a state law to eliminate the use of
Deca-BDE by 2011.

 Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is used in making plastic
food containers, water bottles and even baby bottles.  BPA can mimic the
body's own hormones and has been linked to concerns in fetal and infant
brain development and other negative health effects.  The CDC reported
finding BPA  in more than 90% of the urine samples collected in the
study.

When foods containing carbohydrates are cooked at high temperatures
(e.g., French fries), small amounts of acrylamide are formed. This
chemical may also be found in tobacco smoke.  Most people are exposed to
acrylamide through the foods they eat and from smoking. 
Acrylamide has been classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen
and by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) IARC as a
possible human carcinogen.  The CDC reports that exposure to acrylamide
is "extremely common" in the U.S. population.

 The report also has some good news.  Results of sampling indicate that
considerable progress has been made in reducing childhood exposure to
lead.  Blood lead levels in children have decreased, indicating that
public health efforts to reduce childhood exposures have been
successful. 

Information in the report will be used by federal agencies in regulating
or banning the production of some of the chemicals reported in CDCs
study. An executive summary of CDC's report  that includes a list of the
chemicals being reported for the first time is available from LEPC NEWS
at:  http://lepcnews.squarespace.com/cdc-toxic-exposure-report/
.



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