Biomonitoring and TSCA Chemical Control Reform

"Mind Disrupted" is a report recently released with the results of a biomonitoriting project sponsored by the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI). The project involved "twelve leaders and self-advocates from the learning and developmental disabilities community" who "stepped forward to have their bodies tested for the presence of a set of known or suspected neurotoxic or endocrine disrupting chemicals."

Results indicated that "sixty-one distinct chemicals were detected in the participants." All 12 participants tested positive for at least 26 of the tested chemicals, including bisphenol A, mercury, lead, PBDEs (brominated flame retardants), PFCs (perfluorinated compounds), perchlorate, and organochlorine pesticides. The report then goes on to evaluate possible connections between exposure to these chemicals and various learning and developmental disabilities.

The report concludes that TSCA needs to be updated to:

"reflect 21st Century science - including the importance of critical windows of development, mixtures of chemicals, and low-dose exposures - to ensure current and future generations reach their fullest potential."

They also suggest that federal chemicals management be modernized to do the following:

1) Take immediate action on the worst chemicals
2) Require basic information for all chemicals in teh market and for those intended to be developed and marketed
3) Protect the most vulnerable from exposure
4) Use the best scientific methods
5) Hold industry responsible for demonstrating chemical safety
6) Prioritize environmental justice and protect low income, communities of colar and indigenous communities that are disproportionately impacted by pollution
7) Enhance government coordination between agencies
8) Promote safer alternatives by implementing the principles of green chemistry
9) Ensure the "right to know" by requiring labeling of chemical ingredients in products.

Other TSCA related posts (click here and scroll for articles)