Biomonitoring Turns Up Some Upsetting Results

Five Illinois volunteers in a new study released last week by IEC member Environment Illinois discovered they had nearly a dozen different toxic chemicals in their bodies. Part of a nationwide biomonitoring project, the report, "Is It In Us?: Chemical Contamination in our Bodies - Toxic Trespass, Regulatory Failure and Opportunities for Action," looked for three toxic chemical families: phthalates, bisphenol A and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

The chemicals are found nearly everywhere in everyday life, from shower curtains to cosmetics, computers to toys. Studies have linked the chemicals to birth defects, cancer, learning disabilities, infertility, asthma, obesity and other health impacts.

“This report asked a basic question: If toxic pollution is in the products we use everyday, is it also in our bodies? The answer is yes. Just by going about their daily lives, Illinoisans are exposed to toxic chemicals,” said Max Muller, environmental advocate at Environment Illinois, and the project’s Illinois coordinator. “This exposure happens without most people’s knowledge, and certainly without their consent.”

The report supports a campaign to create a comprehensive federal policy to raise the standards governing chemical use and a state program to create a biomonitoring program. State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook) recently pushed the state Legislature to approve $250,000 to set such a program, but the funding was vetoed by Gov. Blagojevich.

Oh, and Rep. Nekritz was one of the participants in the Environment Illinois Study. She had four phthalates, seven PBDEs and bisphenol A in her system.

For more, here's the press release, with a link to the report.