We all use chemicals in our day-to-day lives. But the uncomfortable truth is that more and more research is suggesting that many chemicals are threatening our health with a new kind of pollution that contaminates the bodies of us and our families, our environment, animals, plants, the planet.
Why we need safer chemicals?
Anything you buy – whether it’s soap or a computer, perfume or paints – will contain a mixture of substances produced in a chemical factory. Chemicals are used for all kinds of reasons such as to smell nice,to kill germs, to make things last longer, make things stronger etc. etc. But the uncomfortable truth is, more and more research is suggesting that many chemicals are threatening our health with a new kind of pollution that contaminates the bodies of us and our families, our environment, animals, plants, the planet. Chemicals have been linked to everything from many forms of cancer, to obesity and behaviour problems. The effects of hundreds of chemicals is not yet fully understood. Our bodies are now contaminated with more than 300 human-made chemicals. We think that as a minimum first step, chemicals that build up in our bodies should be phased out. The precautionary principle should always be applied. Producers of chemicals must be able to proof that the chemical are safe, whether they are new or old chemicals. Producers must be held accountable.
A game of double Jeopardy
The most worrying types of chemicals are those which are hormone disrupters and/or which can build up inside in the human body. Friends of the Earth thinks these chemicals should be phased out completely and replaced with safer alternatives.
Hormone disrupters: Hormone disrupters interfere with our body’s hormones. Our hormones regulate our day-to-day bodily functions and are vital for making sure we grow up healthy.
Bio-accumulation: Some chemicals that we can’t break down properly will accumulate in the body’s tissues. This is known as bio-accumulation.
The risk with these chemicals is that it’s not known what the long term effects of some of them might be and we would be unable to remove them from our bodies and environment if they were found to be harmful.
So what can you do now to reduce the risk?
Try to avoid coming into contact with risky chemicals – ultimately, though, we will only be protected by tighter laws.
OUR CAMPAIGNS ON CHEMICALS:
Bisphenol A: Check here for details on this project. Check here for details on this Victorian-based work
other work: swimming pool chemicals, http://www.foe.org.au/chemicals/swimming-pool-chemicals
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To contact this campaign:
Dr Rye Senjen
Nanotechnology & Chemicals Campaigner
Friends of the Earth Australia
P.O Box 222 Fitzroy Vic 3065
m +61 431 66 2124
e [email protected]
w http://nano.foe.org.au/