February 3, 2003
Contacts: Jonathan Sinker 215-567-4004 ext.222

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FINDS AMERICANS CARRY INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS IN THEIR BODIES
Public Health Experts Alarmed by Wide-Spread Exposure to Chemicals Linked to Cancer, Birth Defects, and Other Health Problems

Philadelphia, PA- Average Americans are carrying multiple toxic chemicals in their bodies, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed in a recently released report. The CDC's second "National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals" found that chemicals used or produced by industry, in agriculture and in some popular consumer products are present in the bodies of most of the 10,000 people tested nationwide.

"Industry leaders have frequently downplayed the idea that the public is exposed to the chemicals used in products or released as pollution," said Aaron Firestone, Children's Environmental Health Coordinator of Clean Air Council. "The CDC is providing quantifiable evidence that Americans are in fact bearing the burden of these toxic chemicals in their bodies."

While official decisions on chemical pollution rely almost entirely on estimates of human exposure, the CDC program measures actual human exposure. The first CDC exposure report in 2001 found higher levels of phthalates and mercury in women of childbearing age than studies by the National Toxicology Program and National Academy of Sciences had estimated just months previously.

"Measuring actual levels of chemicals in humans is the necessary step needed in public health to establish sources of exposure," Dr. Julie Becker, Women's Health & Environmental Network "Many of these chemicals have been linked to cancers, birth defects, and reproductive and developmental disabilities in human and animal studies. While we don't know what health problems are associated at the levels found in this study, this information is crucial to understanding the connection between chemical exposures and poor health outcomes."

Today's report highlighted:

• Between 5-10% of women of children-bearing age have more mercury in their bodies than EPA or the National Academy of Sciences recommend as the ceiling level-- the maximum dose that is deemed safe for developing fetuses. Mercury primarily affects the brain, central nervous system, liver and kidneys. There are many sources of human exposure to mercury, including power plant emissions, fish consumption, dental fillings, thermometers, blood pressure devices, batteries, old latex paint, fluorescent lights and vaccines.
  
  
• 2.2 % of children under 5 have blood lead levels over 10 ug/dL -- which is the amount that experts say there could be neurological damage. Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
  
  
• Mexican-American have twice as much DDE (DDT breaks down into DDE) in their bodies compared to the rest of the populations. The letters "DDT" stand for dichloro-diphenyl-trichloro-ethane. DDT is an insecticide used to control insect-borne diseases.

The CDC tested 10,000 Americans for the presence of 116 environmental chemicals in their bodies including lead, mercury, arsenic, uranium, cadmium, benzene, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), vinyl chloride, and many other substances known to be dangerous to health.

"Our laws have not kept pace with the science of environmental health," said Jonathan Sinker, Pennsylvania Field Organizer of the National Environmental Trust. "The widespread exposure to chemicals found by the CDC suggests stronger policies are needed to protect the public."

"Laws dealing with pesticides, air and water pollution need to be aggressively enforced and the industries that manufacture chemicals and generate pollution should not have too much influence over the regulatory process" said David Masur, Director of Penn Environment.

For a copy of the report go to www.environet.org

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Clean Air Council is committed to the belief that everyone has the right to breathe clean, healthful air. Founded in 1967, the Council is the oldest member- supported environmental organization in the state. The Council's team of attorneys, community organizers, and policy analysts focuses its efforts on the following key areas: Clean Air Act, Clean Energy, Sustainable Transportation, Waste Reduction and Recycling, and Indoor Air Quality.