The Green Science Policy Institute has created a set of lectures on the 6 classes of chemicals that are both the most commonly found in our consumer products AND highly toxic. Knowledge about these 6 classes of chemicals is essential to anyone working on prevention.
WATCH For each of the 6 chemicals, there is a PPT and voice-over found on this page, starting with an introductory PPT:
Discuss each of the 6 half-hour webinars in a single blog post, separating the post by inserting each webinar's title before discussing that webinar.
There are also two extra webinars on the page, regarding regulation ("Do We Need It?") and green chemistry ("Green Chemistry"). These are not required viewing, but are fascinating and recommended if you are interested in the topics.
1. PFAs or highly fluorinated chemicals
I thought this webinar on PFAs was fascinating because I did not know that much about PFAs prior to taking this class. I was surprised to learn that water repellency was dangerous and I have a waterproof rain jacket that has these chemicals and I am really disappointed to learn that they are so terrible for the environment and human health. I had no idea it was so dangerous for children and fetuses, and that they could cause vaccines to be less effective. I was also surprised to learn they can cause liver damage and other harm. It is shocking to me that these have not been banned. Also, the fact that this is found in cosmetics and nonstick cookware and therefore can so easily be ingested is frightening! I really wish there was an international movement towards banning all of these substances.
2. Antimicrobials
In my opinion, antimicrobials seem to be harming us more than helping us after listening to this particular presentation. I am shocked they are added seemingly needlessly to thousands of products when their costs clearly outweigh the benefits. Triclosan and triclocarban were discussed in particular and I was shocked to learn they provided no added benefit over regular soaps and yet were still added in them for years. I am genuinely confused as to why manufacturers would include harmful substances that can cause disruptions in hormone functioning, adverse reproductive and developmental effects, antibiotic resistance and increased allergen sensitivity, and add no value to the consumer. It seems like they could cut costs by avoiding these harmful and useless substances so I really don't understand their motivation. Perhaps, they are an added preservative that can extend the shelf life or help the sale of the product in some other way that was not discussed?
3. Flame retardants
I was especially shocked and moved by this presentation given the recent fires and use of flame retardants all over the state of California. It is shocking to me that flame retardants actually produce more air pollution and do not actually have proven effects to always stop or slow fires. It is scary to think that babies are born with the same level of flame retardants as their mothers and that toddlers have 5x the amount as adults. They are terrible for oceans and they are being dumped into the oceans currently due to the ways we have been putting out fires all over California over the last couple of weeks. Why are flame retardants included in mattresses and other objects when they do not actually work and cause more pollution? From now on, I will only purchase fire-safe furniture that does not include flame retardants.
4. Bisphenols and phthalates
I did not know that bisphenols and phthalates were hormone disrupters prior to watching this presentation. I did know that BPA was bad for us and that it can cause cancer and that is why we should not microwave plastic containers that contain BPA. I always buy BPA-free containers, but clearly, that is not even close to taking enough precautions when it comes to these harmful substances. We need to ban all 6 of these classes mentioned in these presentations. It is scary to think about how even a small amount of these chemicals can have a huge negative impact on human health. Once again, young children are the most vulnerable and we need to stop using these harmful substances in things they interact with.
5. Some solvents
It is scary to think that solvents that are simply used to dissolve other substances are polluting the air and are toxic to us. We breathe them in and can absorb them through skin contact. I have definitely been exposed to solvents through wood cleaners, paints, nail polish remover, markers, and shoe polish. I was shocked to learn that along with contributing to smog, they are also contributing to polluting our drinking water. I also think just being in a nail salon is probably really unhealthy given how much we inhale in those indoor, contaminated areas.
6. Certain metals
The metals discussed in this presentation are one of the many chemicals of concern in building materials. They include arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. We are exposed through water, food, breathing in cigarette smoke. They can harm brain development and are terrible for small children. After watching this presentation, I am going to stop my family members from eating fish that are high in mercury. I am also going to stop them from using anti-aging cremes and fluorescent light bulbs. I was surprised to learn that rice absorbs arsenic. I am going to stop my family members from giving small children rice and encourage my family to use alternatives to rice as much as possible. I am also going to stop my cousins from letting their small children play with jewelry and toys that may have cadmium in it. I am also going to avoid breathing in cigarette smoke as much as possible. Finally, I have known that lead is terrible for human health for a long time, I have felt helpless in reducing my exposure to lead. There is lead in so many of the old buildings that where live and work in Oakland and San Francisco. I really hope that we are able to continue reducing lead exposure like we were able to successfully do with gas. I am also going to use cold water only from now on.
1. PFAs or highly fluorinated chemicals
I thought this webinar on PFAs was fascinating because I did not know that much about PFAs prior to taking this class. I was surprised to learn that water repellency was dangerous and I have a waterproof rain jacket that has these chemicals and I am really disappointed to learn that they are so terrible for the environment and human health. I had no idea it was so dangerous for children and fetuses, and that they could cause vaccines to be less effective. I was also surprised to learn they can cause liver damage and other harm. It is shocking to me that these have not been banned. Also, the fact that this is found in cosmetics and nonstick cookware and therefore can so easily be ingested is frightening! I really wish there was an international movement towards banning all of these substances.
2. Antimicrobials
In my opinion, antimicrobials seem to be harming us more than helping us after listening to this particular presentation. I am shocked they are added seemingly needlessly to thousands of products when their costs clearly outweigh the benefits. Triclosan and triclocarban were discussed in particular and I was shocked to learn they provided no added benefit over regular soaps and yet were still added in them for years. I am genuinely confused as to why manufacturers would include harmful substances that can cause disruptions in hormone functioning, adverse reproductive and developmental effects, antibiotic resistance and increased allergen sensitivity, and add no value to the consumer. It seems like they could cut costs by avoiding these harmful and useless substances so I really don't understand their motivation. Perhaps, they are an added preservative that can extend the shelf life or help the sale of the product in some other way that was not discussed?
3. Flame retardants
I was especially shocked and moved by this presentation given the recent fires and use of flame retardants all over the state of California. It is shocking to me that flame retardants actually produce more air pollution and do not actually have proven effects to always stop or slow fires. It is scary to think that babies are born with the same level of flame retardants as their mothers and that toddlers have 5x the amount as adults. They are terrible for oceans and they are being dumped into the oceans currently due to the ways we have been putting out fires all over California over the last couple of weeks. Why are flame retardants included in mattresses and other objects when they do not actually work and cause more pollution? From now on, I will only purchase fire-safe furniture that does not include flame retardants.
4. Bisphenols and phthalates
I did not know that bisphenols and phthalates were hormone disrupters prior to watching this presentation. I did know that BPA was bad for us and that it can cause cancer and that is why we should not microwave plastic containers that contain BPA. I always buy BPA-free containers, but clearly, that is not even close to taking enough precautions when it comes to these harmful substances. We need to ban all 6 of these classes mentioned in these presentations. It is scary to think about how even a small amount of these chemicals can have a huge negative impact on human health. Once again, young children are the most vulnerable and we need to stop using these harmful substances in things they interact with.
5. Some solvents
It is scary to think that solvents that are simply used to dissolve other substances are polluting the air and are toxic to us. We breathe them in and can absorb them through skin contact. I have definitely been exposed to solvents through wood cleaners, paints, nail polish remover, markers, and shoe polish. I was shocked to learn that along with contributing to smog, they are also contributing to polluting our drinking water. I also think just being in a nail salon is probably really unhealthy given how much we inhale in those indoor, contaminated areas.
6. Certain metals
The metals discussed in this presentation are one of the many chemicals of concern in building materials. They include arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. We are exposed through water, food, breathing in cigarette smoke. They can harm brain development and are terrible for small children. After watching this presentation, I am going to stop my family members from eating fish that are high in mercury. I am also going to stop them from using anti-aging cremes and fluorescent light bulbs. I was surprised to learn that rice absorbs arsenic. I am going to stop my family members from giving small children rice and encourage my family to use alternatives to rice as much as possible. I am also going to stop my cousins from letting their small children play with jewelry and toys that may have cadmium in it. I am also going to avoid breathing in cigarette smoke as much as possible. Finally, I have known that lead is terrible for human health for a long time, I have felt helpless in reducing my exposure to lead. There is lead in so many of the old buildings that where live and work in Oakland and San Francisco. I really hope that we are able to continue reducing lead exposure like we were able to successfully do with gas. I am also going to use cold water only from now on.
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