Hostages in the War Against "Chemicals"

If you are a parent (or grandparent) of a young child, you are a target for manipulation by activists who claim that we are surrounded by a sea of chemical "toxins" and "carcinogens." You are easy prey -- because you care so deeply about the health and welfare of your babies and children. Purveyors of unfounded health scares know that. The fear-mongers have just about everything going for them, and, unless you recognize their manipulative tactics, you will be among their millions of terrified victims.

Here's how they work: They know what psychiatrists have known for many years: that human beings are fearful of substances that are unknown, unfamiliar -- and invisible. It's just human nature to postulate that there are hostile, unseen agents out there that are going to get you -- like the boogeyman under the bed at night. What you cannot see can be downright scary. And that is what the "toxic terrorists" count on. You will act to ensure the safety of your child -- whether or not there is a real risk.

•••

Take the example of phthalates: Phthalates are chemicals that are used to make plastics flexible -- and they have been widely used for some fifty years in everything from plastic shower curtains to medical devices to rubber duckies. Phthalates are invisible, unfamiliar (who can pronounce the word, much less spell it correctly?), and totally unknown to almost every parent. So when an activist like Mark Schapiro -- author of Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products -- claims that "American infants are...sucking on phthalate-contaminated teething rings, ingesting toxins directly into their still-developing, vulnerable bodies," you have the perfect storm: a purportedly hostile, invisible agent attacking your baby. The scaremongers have got you -- all because you are a loving, caring parent.

Contrast the activist scare about phthalates with the scientific reality: there is no evidence whatsoever -- not even a hint -- of health problems from phthalates in any consumer products used by children or adults. That is the conclusion of esteemed scientists from the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and universities around the world -- and a blue ribbon panel on phthalates and health chaired by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. The issue has been addressed and studied extensively. There are more than 1,000 articles on phthalates in the scientific literature. The claimed health risk is totally bogus, based exclusively on results of high-dose rodent experiments. If one were to assume that phthalates should be regarded as dangerous because vast quantities make rodents sick, then we would also have to fear the myriad collection of natural foods (like mushrooms, table pepper, coffee, and nutmeg) that contain chemicals that cause cancer in rodents -- as plenty of all-natural chemicals do, without any corresponding illness in humans.

The scare tactics on phthalates worked like a charm recently in California, since Gov. Schwarzenegger banned most forms of phthalaltes, declaring, "we must take this action to protect our children. These chemicals threaten the health and safety of our children at critical stages of their development." Building on this momentum, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation to ban phthalates nationwide. These regulatory moves will do absolutely nothing to promote the health of children. They will only serve to remove from the market safe, useful products.

•••

How should we as consumers and scientists react to these bogus scares, which are increasingly targeting worried parents?

We have a clear choice: The easy way would be to tolerate this insidious manipulation and agree to "do something" to eliminate the bogus risk -- no matter what the cost. If we continue in this direction, we will be squandering public health resources by targeting non-risks, and we will literally be dismantling our technologically-sophisticated society, demolishing our enviably high standard of living. After banning rubber duckies, what will be next?

But if we listen to scientists dealing in the facts about such alarmism, we can recognize this manipulation for what it is -- and reject it. This will take extraordinary leadership by members of the scientific community, who would need to step forward and say, in essence, "I understand your fears. We all care deeply about the health of our children. But this is fear that has no basis in reality."

Obviously, scientists in California did not speak up to declare the scare about phthalates a bogus threat -- and manipulation through fear prevailed. We can only hope that science will prevail when similar national legislation is considered -- and that any legislation to protect us from risks that do not exist will be rejected.

Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan is president of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com).

Comments

[ldelp84227]

There are many people that discuss these articles and write for government journals that have conflict of interest. I for one get very ill when near baby lotions, diaper rash products, sunscreens, most fragrance of any kind. In fact these companies don't even have to reveal what chemicals are in these products. I don't trust most of these government agencies since I have read documents from Washington where they even admit concern about the children's toys, etc. a few years back and they did not want our products regulated because they had more concern about the economy than the health of the people. The EU Government's economy didn't get ruined when they started provided safer products. I am tired of suffering because people print info like this and when we go home and our family doesn't think they have to avoid fragrances, air fresheners, certain soaps, etc. because the tv and some of the press says these products are safe. Why would my asthma doctor have a sign on the wall stating no fragrances aloud in the office or they will be asked to leave and-- that was about 10 years ago. Millions are suffering at the expense of these companies that do not even bother to test to see if these fragrances are safe. And fragrance is in everything and this particular chemical mentioned in this blog is in fragrance and many other products. If these companies want to continue putting poison in their products we should be compensated for not being able to work or live a normal life. Disgraceful. Linda

[AsaNisMasa]

in 5,000 years...when future civilizations start doing archealogical digs into our civilization like we do to ancient civs these days...they're going to be flabbergasted at the amount of crap they'll be able to find because it'll still be breaking down by then thanks to all the chemicals in everything.

[Wilburrr]

Back again, eh Elizabeth?

While "there is no evidence whatsoever -- not even a hint -- of health problems from phthalates in any consumer products used by children or adults. That is the conclusion of esteemed scientists from the Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission, and universities around the world -- and a blue ribbon panel on phthalates and health chaired by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop" may be a slight exageration -- check http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/phthalates.htm
wouldn't it be wise to take a cautious approach? Why have phthalates been banned in European cosmetics? Oh... did you fail to mention that? You also failed to mention that phthalates are found in the highest concentrations in pregnant women. How did you manage to leave that out? Is there a group that should be more cautious of chemical exposure?

When you work in the lab, do you wear a labcoat and safety goggles? Do industry standards allow you to wear contact lenses in the lab? Why are those regulations in place? Isn't it true that you have been taught to be cautious of chemicals for which effects are unknown? What research has been done to show that phthalates are safe? Oh... I guess the answer to that is the same; NONE!

As a chemist I have heard two cliche's... "What you don't know can't hurt you"

but, probably more apropos: "The last one to know is the first one to die"....

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Wow Wilbur, great post as usual.

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Are you kidding me Elizabeth? You're a doctor?

You want me to trust the FDA and the CPSC??!!?? The same FDA that gives a thumbs up to anything that a maga corporation wants to put on a shelf without requiring studies and testing? The same FDA that turns its back on public safety by allowing all kinds of chemicals into the food chain...nitrites, sulfites, BHT? The same FDA that recommends 330 grams of carbs a day for the average American? The same FDA that continues to push mercury filled 'vaccines' on our children... which have tripled in the last 10 years...but refuses to link them to the MASSIVE increase in Autism? The same FDA that allows growth hormones and antibiotics to be pumped into cows and then feeds children that milk...so that they can mature at a healthy age 8...but BANS organic farmers from stating that rBGH is harmful?

50 years of safety huh? Why don't you tell me why the cancer rate in this country has QUADRUPLED in the past 50 years... even after smoking has decreased and people began understanding the importance of eating right and exercise? Can't? Why don't you tell me why almost every child I come in contact with has some sort of a serious allergy? Why don't you tell me why after having silver/mercury fillings removed from my mouth, I rarely, if ever get sick? Why don't you tell me why Alzheimers has tripled in the last 20 years...could it be the aluminum...in everything? No?

It's people like you that make the public complacemnt in trusting our Fed agencies.. when in fact, they are all owned by special interests... that do NOT have the public's interest in mind.

[Cathexis]

I am old enough to remember "4 out of 5 doctors smoke Camels" from back in the 60s.

And after 8 years of some of the most blatant, deceptive, and outright false "scientific and medical" announcements coming from government and industry "experts," you'll excuse me if your solace doesn't do much to convince me, Dr Whelan.

The primary thing being protected, in my experience, has been some Corporations revenues.

[BonnieJW]

I can remember this woman preaching the wonderful world of chemicals 30 years ago!

[sickofthis]

It's not targeting a nonrisk. I heard the author of Exposed on NPR, and he sounded far more credible than the FDA or C. Everett Koop. It's not just the governor of California who has been taken in. Many European countries do not accept toys or plastics made with phthalates. Plastics can be made w/o them. But the US is one of the few countries that accepts them. No disrespect, but I don't think you understand the problem.

[Mariel]

Some scares are about real bad things. Some are not.

There are an increasing number of us who are truly sensitive to toxic chemicals in our environments. These chemicals increase in number daily.

I am unable to attend many public places such as churches and many clinics or movie theaters because of toxic chemicals in carpets, carpet glue, carpet cleaner, mold, new furniture, etc. I had to quit teaching early because of a toxic carpet which sent many of our faculty to the hospital ER, but I was so sensitive that my brain shut down, which is a considerable handicap for a teacher.

I correspond with many like me, and I know there are many REAL bad things in our environment. They are not all new--that is, modern science did not produce them all; but modern science produced many of them.
We should be scared of them, and scared for our children.

I don't now much about the plastic material you mention, but I know a lot about many other chemicals which threaten me and many many others.

[stevesrant]

You would better serve your corporate employers by admitting at least PART of the truth, and then go on to point out where public panic has overstepped common sense. The facts you omitted: 1. There is lots of evidence that phthalates are harmful to humans; just no tests showing that phthalates from plastic bottles specifically are enough to be harmful. 2. The phthaltes are not just used to "make plastics flexible." They are used as INGREDIENTS of cosmetic products - for BABIES! 3. The esteemed scientists at the Consumer Product Safety Board are the same ones who apparently had no idea there was lead in kids' toys from China.
While I agree that irrational reactions against "chemicals" is not always the best course of action, not erring on the side of caution when it comes to babies is just plain wrong. Especially since most of the chemicals in question are petro chemicals - and thus represent enormous profit to uh,,,um...

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

Well said!

[RoseMerry]

Dr. Whelan answers charges that the
American Council on Science and Health that she has co-founded is "a creation of the petrochemical industry" and that she is "paid liar for industry" at her web site:

http://acsh.org/news/newsid.852/news_detail.asp

Everyone enjoy these great chemicals who beloved industry that so loving provided for us all!

Yeah, right.

[sickofthis]

thank you for enlightening me. I knew something was amiss with this post.

[JScott]

Yes she is an occasional contributor to Huffpo and that's fine as long as her background is DISCLOSED. Ya gotta give Arianna credit tho for being fair to both sides.