1. The Dangers Behind The Label
Introduction
During this past summer (2016), the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition (HBCAC) sent Walt Whitman High School Students Desislava Kirina and Jordan Roiland - two Walt Whitman High School students- to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. We interned in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health to learn more about environmental exposures and impactful ways to relay information to the public in order to promote awareness and ultimately improve overall human and environmental health. Guided by Doctor Sarah Evans and Marketing and Communications Associate Megan Markham, we created a survey for the community designed to find out which environmental issues concerned people, as well which ones they had little knowledge of. Once we gathered our survey results, we honed in on researching endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) found in personal care products and the different ways to encourage people to limit their exposure.
Objective
While interning at Mount Sinai, my first goal was to pinpoint exactly which subjects of concern people are impacted by the most. This was done through the survey results, where a large portion of people who use personal care products on a daily basis knew very little about the ingredients they were placing on their bodies. It is crucial that we communicate our findings to people, especially since government may misguide the people’s perception on what is considered “safe”. We start slathering on product after product at very early ages in hopes to look better, smell nicer, and be cleaner, unaware that these products are doing more harm than good. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of EDC’s because they are at an age known as a “window of susceptibility”, where they are more receptive to receiving many diseases through exposure. On average, they use 17 products per day, while adults use 12. People go through multiple “windows of susceptibility” through the years so it is imperative that they remain informed throughout all stages of their life. Since most people do not have the time to read various research papers, Jordan Roiland and I took on the task of condensing crucial information and important key points into various infographics, videos, and social media posts using the abundance of applications that technology has to offer. We combined scientific research with user-friendly approaches in order to successfully reach a wider audience.
Background
Humans are unknowingly exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals on a daily basis through the use and consumption of many products that contain EDC’s linked to cancer cell growth. A study has determined that one of every five adults are potentially exposed every day to all of the top seven carcinogenic impurities common to personal care product ingredients. Women are especially vulnerable to these exposures since the majority of personal care consumers are female. This also poses a threat to children; researchers have discovered that toxic chemicals can cross the placenta, enter amniotic fluid, bind to fetal DNA, and can even be traced in breast milk. The chemicals that cause these adverse effects are all found inside FDA approved products that are located on local grocery store or pharmacy shelves all over the United States. Many people assume that all of the ingredients on a label must be safe if the product is available for consumer purchase, however, this cannot be any further from the truth. In fact, European Union law has banned 1,328 chemicals from cosmetics that are known or suspected to cause cancer and other various damage, meanwhile the U.S FDA has only banned or restricted 11 chemicals from cosmetics. Although they have the potential to be highly dangerous, the effects of EDC’s can be eliminated by keeping away from exposure to begin with.
Discussion
The most important step is not only for us to communicate our research and findings with the public, but for them to then share it with friends and family. Without communicating the science, we would not be able to initiate change all over the country and ultimately prevent the spread of cancer and various diseases. By gathering enough support, we would be able to institute significant changes. The power lies within the consumer. We have the potential to require companies to test their products through peer reviewed research studies before they enter the market, to ensure their safety. We also have the capability to influence companies to provide full disclosure behind their ingredients, a process which has already begun as a result of advocacy, petitions, and boycotting products from our homes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, educating the public on making safer choices will empower them to live a healthier lifestyle by limiting their exposure to environmental hazards and increase awareness of how the environment affects health and well-being while sparking a much needed conversation about the dangers behind the label.
Ideology
The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition is a non-profit community grassroots organization that is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer and promoting awareness through education, advocacy, outreaches, and various support programs. While many scientists, doctors, and researchers try to find cures for preexisting diseases, HBCAC promotes the idea that Prevention is the Cure, meaning that it is easier to prevent illness than it is to treat it advocating for the education of individuals to make their own choices and actively choose healthier lifestyles. They promote the mentality that it is better to be “safe than sorry” when bringing products with undisclosed ingredients into our bodies and homes and that small changes early on can eliminate risk factors that could have resulted in various diseases later in life. People have a right to know what is in their products, which is achieved by spreading this knowledge and participating in citizen science. HBCAC has successfully communicated their ideology with every level of government, from Huntington Town Hall to Washington D.C., helping to bring about some much needed change in regards to environmental health awareness.
References
Acknowledgements
This project is supported by:
Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Children’s Environmental Health Center
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Cancer Institute grant U01 ES as part of the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program.