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Chemicals, Environmental Justice & AAPI Health
Health Justice NetworkQuarterly Meeting
May 10, 2010
Chemicals Are All Around Us…
The number of chemicals registered for commercial use now stands at 80,000- a 30% increase since 1979
In 2007, over 54 million pounds of chemicals were released into the environment in California. (TRI data)
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Pathways of Exposure
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In the HomeResidues on Food
Pathways of Exposure
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Personal Care Products
Pathways of Exposure In the Workplace
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One study found that women plastics workers more frequently sought treatment for infertility than the general population. (Center for American Progress)
Pathways of ExposureOutdoor Urban Pathways
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Environmental Justice is the right to a decent, safe quality of life for
people of all races, incomes and cultures in the environments where we live, work, play, learn and pray.
Asian Pacific Environmental Networkwww.apen4ej.org
Chemical exposures occur in utero
Testing of 10 newborn umbilical cords detected a total of 287 industrial chemicals- including pesticides, consumer products chemicals and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage. (Environmental Working Group)
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Health Impacts of Chemical Exposure
Birth defects
Low Birth Weight
Reproductive disorders: fertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, premature menopause
Endocrine disruption
Learning disabilities
Cancer & Breast Cancer
Asthma
Autism
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Bisphenol-A (BPA)BPA is a plasticizer (or softening agent) and
ranks among the highest-volume chemicals worldwide.
Exposure to BPA comes from ingesting foods or fluids in containers or packages made from BPA.
Workers with manufacturing jobs involving BPA to higher exposures levels.
Products with BPA11
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Health impacts of BPA
Prostate and breast cancer
Reproductive Health Problems: Miscarriages
Obesity
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Breast Cancer
Leading site for cancer incidence and mortality for AAPIs
Rates among U.S.-born Chinese and Filipino women under age 55 were even higher than those among whites, which has been rapidly increasing over time.
Native Hawaiians have 2.3 times the rate of BC as non-Hispanic whites and 2.4 more likely to have late stage diagnosis
BC is being diagnosed in younger and younger women
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We can’t shop our way out of this problem!!
Limits to personal responsibility!
Chemicals
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The majority of synthetic chemicals in use have never been tested for their effects on human
health.
Cracks in the Regulatory Process
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Requires regulators to show that toxins pose unreasonable risks before taking action
Discounts and ignores low-level exposures and combinations over a long period of time
What does good Chemical policy look like? Take Action to Protect
Communities and Workers
Require Safer Substitutes and Solutions
Phase-out Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Highly Toxic Chemicals
Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-To-Know
Act on Early Warnings
Require Comprehensive Safety Data for All Chemicals
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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals
Use fewer products
Always read the label- check the ingredients
Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.c
omwww.womenshealthanden
vironment.org
Breastfeed
Buy BPA-free bottles and sippy cups
Wash/scrub all fruits and vegetables to reduce pesticide levels
Avoid certain types of plastics for food (avoid #s 3, 6, and 7)
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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals
Avoid heating food in plastic containers
Avoid anti-bacterial products
Use less toxic cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide)
Use safer pest control practices (IPM)
Have toddlers, painted surfaces and dust tested for lead if you live in an apartment/house built before 1978
If you work around chemicals, wash exposed skin and change out of your work clothes before returning to your home. Clean your work clothes separately.
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Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals
Get involved with statewide effortsCA SB 797 BPA BillCA Healthy Nail Salon
Collaborative
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Special thanks to:
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