1. Protecting Our Health: New Science and Environmental Health Policy
Class 4—Science to Action and
Protective Policies
Pamela Miller, Executive Director
Alaska Community Action on Toxics
ACAT, in collaboration with the villages on St. Lawrence Island and University at Albany, has conducted community-based environmental health training and research since We initiated community-based training and research with other Norton Sound communities beginning in 2005, and includes additional researcher partners from the University of Alaska—this work has been supported through grants from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). This presentation provides a brief overview of some of our findings.

2. Objectives and overview
Review and describe the latest peer-reviewed scientific information on environmental health and chemical exposures
Provide information about the benefits of preventative measures to reduce and eliminate harmful exposures
Discuss the need for protective public health policies and the role of the citizens in achieving positive change.

3. Ten chemicals suspected of causing developmental neurotoxicity
In a recent study, scientists from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine listed “10 chemicals and mixtures widely distributed in the environment that are already suspected of causing developmental neurotoxicity.”
Lead: a heavy metal banned from gasoline in the 1970s, found in old paint, lead pipes and sinkers, toys, jewelry, and other items made of vinyl plastic.
Methylmercury: released into the air from coal-burning power plants; also found in some medical equipment, switches, personal care products, and fluorescent bulbs.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): used in electrical transformers; banned in the late 1970s but still widely found in lakes, rivers, soil, fish, and people.
Organophosphate pesticides: pesticides containing phosphorous that work by disrupting the nervous system; used to kill insects on crops and lawns, and in buildings.
Organochlorine pesticides: pesticides containing chlorine that work by disrupting the nervous system; used to kill insects on crops and lawns, and in buildings; many but not all have been banned in the United States.
Endocrine disruptors: chemicals that disrupt the hormone system, including phthalates and bisphenol A (both widely used in plastics), PCBs, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, dioxins, organochlorine pesticides, among others.
Automotive exhaust
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: air pollutants from fuel combustion in vehicles, coal-fired power plants, heating, and cooking; also found in tobacco smoke.
Brominated flame retardants: flame retardant chemicals added to furniture, electronics, building materials, bedding, and a wide range of other products.
Perfluorinated compounds: used in stain-resistant and nonstick products.

4. Definition of an Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical (EDC)
“An exogenous chemical, or mixture of chemicals, that interferes with any aspect of hormone action.”—Endocrine Society
Hormones are natural chemicals produced in cells within endocrine glands, which are located throughout the body.
Circulating in very low concentrations, hormones regulate the body’s response to nutritional demands; they are critical to reproductive function; and essential to normal development of the body and brain.

6. Exposures to EDCs Household chemicals
Foods, especially processed foods
Plastics
Personal care products
Food contact materials (BPA)
Air, water
Pesticides—DDT, chlorpyrifos
Products—children’s toys, electronics, brominated flame retardants

7. Key Principles
Endocrine systems are essential for development, reproduction, and health.
EDCs can mimic or block actions of natural hormones, and interfere with their production, release, and metabolism.
As the body’s interface with the environment, endocrine systems are vulnerable to EDCs.
Early life development is very sensitive to EDCs: “The timing [not just the dose] makes the poison.”
A single EDC class can act at many types of targets.
Hormones—and EDCs—can interact to have complex health effects that may not be observed for years, or decades.

8. There is no such thing as a “safe dose”
Natural hormones act at extremely low levels.
Hormone receptors are exquisitely sensitive.
Safety testing does not take into account periods of developmental vulnerability.
“Safe thresholds” cannot be determined by traditional methods.
Testing rarely considers mixtures, synergistic effects.

9. State Legislation: Good News
SB 111/HB 199 (Senator Bill Wielechowski and Representative Harriet Drummond): --Phases out ten toxic flame retardants in children’s products and furniture and requires disclosure -We need your help!

10. Toxic flame retardants—Key science about environmental and health effects
Why are we concerned?
These chemicals are toxic, persistent, used in children’s products and furniture, and now found in the environment, fish, wildlife, and people. Health effects include: carcinogenicity (cancer causing), neurodevelopmental toxicity (affects the developing brain and nervous system), endocrine disrupting effects (including harm to function of thyroid and reproductive hormones).
Antimony trioxide
Chlorinated paraffins
Deca-BDE
HBCD—hexabromocyclododecane
TBB
TBPH
TBBPA
TCEP
TCPP
TDCPP

11. Sources of PBDEs

12. PBDEs in Alaska
Yupik women of western Alaska have the highest known concentrations of PBDEs in the circumpolar Arctic
High concentrations of PBDEs found in Gulf of Alaska orcas
PBDEs detected in ringed, spotted, bearded, and ribbon seals from Bering Sea

13. Chlorinated Tris or TDCPP
TDCPP was a flame retardant used in children’s pajamas in the 1970s until it was eliminated from that use due to adverse health effects.  Now, TDCPP is a widely used flame retardant added to polyurethane foam in furniture and baby products. Baby products containing TDCPP:
Nursing pillows, changing pads, car seats, baby carriers, high chair pads
Why should I be concerned?
Associated with increased cancer rates, DNA mutations, and reproductive effects in animal studies. TDCPP has been listed as a known carcinogen under California's Proposition 65. In humans, men with higher levels of household TDCPP had lower sperm counts and altered hormone levels. 
What can government and industry do?
Some manufacturers use naturally fire-retardant materials, non-chemical flame retardancy measures such as barriers, or use least-toxic chemicals. Government agencies should allow only the least toxic chemicals to be used, and adopt sensible flammability standards.

14. Toxic Chemicals in Commerce
Carcinogens – Benzene, ethylene oxide
Hormone Disrupting Chemicals – BPA
Reproductive Toxicants – Phthalates
Neurodevelopmental Toxicants –
Flame Retardants

15. Failure of TSCA By the Numbers 85,000 chemicals 62,000 grandfathered
200 chemicals tested
39 years without updating
5 chemicals regulated

16. Elements of True TSCA Reform
Strong Safety Standard that includes Vulnerable Populations
Adequate Safety Data on All Chemicals
Quick Action on the Worst Chemicals – Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics
Public Access to Information
Protection of States’ Right to Act

17. Critical Role for Alaskans
“Numerous constituents have mentioned persistent bioaccumulative toxins ("PBTs") as an important point of concern, and I would not sign on as a cosponsor of this bill until provisions addressing those substances are included”.

18. Steps to reduce your exposure
Support state and federal chemicals policy reform that require companies to:
Test the safety of their products
Inform consumers if their products contain harmful ingredients
Phase out the most toxic chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives

19. Taking Action at Home Simple Actions to Reduce Exposures:
Go Fresh, Organic and Hormone-Free
Don’t Microwave in Plastic…Ever!
Cut Down on Personal Care Products
Go Simple When Cleaning
(Vinegar, Baking Soda)

20. Resources Listings
Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT):
Alaska Collaborative on Health and the Environment
Collaborative on Health & the Environment (CHE):
Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment:
Physicians for Social Responsibility:
Pediatric Environmental Health
Editor Ruth A. Etzel, MD and Associate Editor Sophie J. Balk, MD
Skin Deep Cosmetics Safety Database:
For anyone seeking further information on EH 21

21. Policy Research Resources
Federal/Congress website: State/Alaska (Basis): Alaska: Fish Consumption Guidelines: For both (state and federal): Sunlight Foundation Tools -Open Congress: -Open States: -Call Congress: Safer States Chemicals Policy Bills Tracker:

22. Protecting Health, Assuring Justice
(907) phone
(907) fax 23