Toward a Cancer Free Economy December, 2013

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production Premise Our systems of production and consumption are not only root causes of environmental and health problems, but also significant contributors to solutions.

Collaborating partners Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition (JPNET) – Chuck Collins, Carlos Espinoza-Toro Lowell Center for Sustainable Production – Dick Clapp, Polly Hoppin, Molly Jacobs Jamaica Plain Centre-South Main Streets – Mary Hannon Toxics Action Center – Sylvia Broude, Claire Miller Funding/technical assistance: Toxics Use Reduction Institute – Joy Onasch

Are we winning? 1 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the US this year 13 million people in the U.S. are living with cancer Direct costs in 2009: $243 billion Since the 1970’s, billions of dollars spent on cancer research – National Institutes of Health – Volunteer organizations American Cancer Society Komen for the cure Pan Mass Challenge

The trend for all cancers has leveled off and is declining, especially among men MEN BOTH WOMEN

Yet rates of some kinds of cancer are dramatically increasing. These 4 also have well-established environmental causes. All ages, both sexes Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Kidney Thyroid Liver

All cancer, all children <20 years, U.S. SEER data Deaths from childhood cancer have been falling for 35 years… But the numbers of kids getting the disease rises steadily Rapidly increasing number of cancer survivors All cancers, <20 years old

Why are cancer rates rising? It’s not genes – These trends are too rapid It’s (mostly) not better diagnosis – There have been only modest improvements in cancer diagnosis since the 1970s (e.g. PSA test for prostate cancer). That leaves environmental causes – Diet, water, air pollution, chemicals in food, indoor environment

Oil production Oil refining Chemical production Product manufacturing Wholesaling Retailing Consumption Disposal The (broken) production cycle of the chemicals economy Lowell Center for Sustainable Production 9/28/13

Oil production Oil refining Chemical production Product manufacturing Wholesaling Retailing Consumption Disposal Carcinogens are released at every step: air, water, soil, food contamination. CANCER Lowell Center for Sustainable Production 9/28/13

Research on cure Research on early diagnosis Patient support Prevention: healthy behaviors Prevention: environmental Cancer Organizations The production cycle causes cancers. The cancer organizations could intervene more effectively Lowell Center for Sustainable Production 9/28/13

How Cancer Develops A complex, multi-causal disease Six or eight “hallmarks” that have to occur before a cell becomes a cancer cell But, “virtually all cancer is BOTH genetic and environmental” – Factors outside the body cause genetic damage inside the body – Can be multiple exposures that cause a series of genetic changes over many years

Chemicals in the Environment & Workplaces: Part of a Comprehensive Cancer Prevention Strategy

“The true burden of environmentally induced cancers has been grossly underestimated.” The panel recommended “removing carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase healthcare costs, cripple our nation’s productivity and devastate American lives.” President’s Cancer Panel

Encouraging words from federal panel “A precautionary prevention-oriented approach should replace current reactionary approaches to environmental contaminants in which human harm must be proven before action is taken to reduce or eliminate exposure”

Encouraging words from federal panel “ ‘Green chemistry’ initiatives and research, including process redesign, should be pursued and supported more aggressively…”

The goal of a cancer free economy can drive innovation Green Chemistry: “Green chemistry is the utilization of a set of principles that reduces or eliminates the use or generation of hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical products.” -Anastas and Warner, Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice, 1998

Some initial steps Inventory businesses that use cancer-causing substances – Dry cleaners that use PCE (perchloroethylene) Linked to bladder cancer & NHL – Auto body shops that use degreasing solvents (e.g. TCE (trichloroethylene) and repair asbestos brake shoes Linked to NHL, leukemia, kidney & liver cancers (TCE), lung cancer & mesothelioma (asbestos) – Nail salons/beauty salons that use formaldehyde and that release from products VOCs (volatile organic compounds) Linked to leukemia and nasal cancers (formaldehyde) Promote safer alternatives – Boston Public Health Commission Green & Clean program – TURI wet cleaning processes