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Chemicals, Environmental Justice & AAPI Health

Health Justice NetworkQuarterly Meeting

May 10, 2010

Chemicals Are All Around Us…

The number of chemicals registered for commercial use now stands at 80,000- a 30% increase since 1979

In 2007, over 54 million pounds of chemicals were released into the environment in California. (TRI data)

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Pathways of Exposure

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In the HomeResidues on Food

Pathways of Exposure

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Personal Care Products

Pathways of Exposure In the Workplace

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One study found that women plastics workers more frequently sought treatment for infertility than the general population. (Center for American Progress)

Pathways of ExposureOutdoor Urban Pathways

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Environmental Justice is the right to a decent, safe quality of life for

people of all races, incomes and cultures in the environments where we live, work, play, learn and pray.

Asian Pacific Environmental Networkwww.apen4ej.org

Chemical exposures occur in utero

Testing of 10 newborn umbilical cords detected a total of 287 industrial chemicals- including pesticides, consumer products chemicals and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage. (Environmental Working Group)

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Health Impacts of Chemical Exposure

Birth defects

Low Birth Weight

Reproductive disorders: fertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, premature menopause

Endocrine disruption

Learning disabilities

Cancer & Breast Cancer

Asthma

Autism

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Bisphenol-A (BPA)BPA is a plasticizer (or softening agent) and

ranks among the highest-volume chemicals worldwide.

Exposure to BPA comes from ingesting foods or fluids in containers or packages made from BPA.

Workers with manufacturing jobs involving BPA to higher exposures levels.

Products with BPA11

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Health impacts of BPA

Prostate and breast cancer

Reproductive Health Problems: Miscarriages

Obesity

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Breast Cancer

Leading site for cancer incidence and mortality for AAPIs

Rates among U.S.-born Chinese and Filipino women under age 55 were even higher than those among whites, which has been rapidly increasing over time.

Native Hawaiians have 2.3 times the rate of BC as non-Hispanic whites and 2.4 more likely to have late stage diagnosis

BC is being diagnosed in younger and younger women

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We can’t shop our way out of this problem!!

Limits to personal responsibility!

Chemicals

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The majority of synthetic chemicals in use have never been tested for their effects on human

health.

Cracks in the Regulatory Process

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Requires regulators to show that toxins pose unreasonable risks before taking action

Discounts and ignores low-level exposures and combinations over a long period of time

What does good Chemical policy look like? Take Action to Protect

Communities and Workers

Require Safer Substitutes and Solutions

Phase-out Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Highly Toxic Chemicals

Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-To-Know

Act on Early Warnings

Require Comprehensive Safety Data for All Chemicals

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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals

Use fewer products

Always read the label- check the ingredients

Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.c

omwww.womenshealthanden

vironment.org

Breastfeed

Buy BPA-free bottles and sippy cups

Wash/scrub all fruits and vegetables to reduce pesticide levels

Avoid certain types of plastics for food (avoid #s 3, 6, and 7)

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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals

Avoid heating food in plastic containers

Avoid anti-bacterial products

Use less toxic cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide)

Use safer pest control practices (IPM)

Have toddlers, painted surfaces and dust tested for lead if you live in an apartment/house built before 1978

If you work around chemicals, wash exposed skin and change out of your work clothes before returning to your home. Clean your work clothes separately.

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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals

Get involved with statewide effortsCA SB 797 BPA BillCA Healthy Nail Salon

Collaborative

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Special thanks to:

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