CHEMICAL EXPOSURES LINKED TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

A new national report links chemicals used by industry and at home to developmental disabilities

 

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Subject:   In Harm's Way-----
Date:       Sat, 13 May 2000 16:15:24 -0400
From:        Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization:     Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)

To:     Lyndon Hawkins <hawkins@empm.cdpr.ca.gov>
          Senior Research Scientist
          State of California, Department of Pesticide Regulation - Integrated Pest Management

Dear Lyndon, I thought you might like to read an article entitled:  CHEMICAL EXPOSURES LINKED TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.  

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, May 12, 2000 (ENS) - A new national report links chemicals used by industry and at home to developmental disabilities, including behavioral and learning disabilities. These chemicals are toxic to the developing brain and can lead to hyperactivity, attention deficit, lower IQ and motor skill impairment. The Clean Water Fund and Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) released the report, "In Harm's Way," on Thursday. Among the chemicals evaluated in this groundbreaking study are metals including  lead, mercury, cadmium, and manganese; pesticides; dioxins and PCBs; solvents used in gasoline, paints, glues and cleaning solutions; nicotine and alcohol.  

The report found that blood lead levels in one million U.S. children now exceed the accepted level above which lead affects behavior and cognition. The report also found that over 80 percent of adults and 90 percent of U.S. children have residues of one or more harmful ("Registered") pesticides in their bodies. "It is critical that we understand and, as a matter of public policy, address the impact of these neurotoxic chemicals on developmental and learning disabilities," said Dr. Ted Schettler, a practicing physician and one of the report's co-authors. "The urgency of this issue is underscored by the fact that between 5 and 10 percent of school children in America have learning disabilities and at least an equivalent amount have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)." Robert Wendelgass, Pennsylvania director of Clean Water Fund, recommended "passing state legislation that would reduce the use of pesticides in our schools, making sure that the school environment doesn't put our children in harm's way." The report is available at: www.preventingharm.org  

Well Lyndon, you have chosen to only allow the "legal" use of your "registered" POISONS to "control" pest problems in California.  In so doing, I believe you have put many innocent Californian's In Harm's Way.  How does that make you feel?  

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