Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Consumer Products
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1104052
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1104052
Robin E. Dodson, Marcia Nishioka, Laurel J. Standley, Laura J. Perovich, Julia Green Brody, Ruthann A. Rudel
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Laboratory and human studies raise concerns about endocrine disruption and asthma from exposure to chemicals in consumer products. Limited labeling or testing information is available to evaluate products as exposure sources.
OBJECTIVES: We analytically quantified endocrine disruptors and asthma-related chemicals in a range of cosmetics, personal care products, cleaners, sunscreens, and vinyl products. We evaluated whether labels can be used to select products without these chemicals.
METHODS: We selected 213 commercial products representing 50 product types. We tested 42 composited samples of high market-share products. We also tested 43 alternative products identified using criteria expected to minimize target compounds. Analytes included parabens, phthalates, bisphenol A, triclosan, ethanolamines, alkylphenols, fragrances, glycol ethers, cyclosiloxanes and UV filters.
RESULTS: We detected 55 compounds, indicating a wide range of exposures from common products. Vinyl products contained >10% DEHP and could be an important source of DEHP in homes. In other products, the highest concentrations and numbers of detects were in the fragranced products perfume, air fresheners, and dryer sheets, and in sunscreens. Some products that did not contain the well-known EDC phthalates contained other less-studied phthalates (also EDCs), suggesting a substitution. Many detected chemicals were not listed on labels.
CONCLUSIONS: Common products contain complex mixtures of EDCs and asthma-related compounds. Toxicological studies of these mixtures are needed to understand their biological activity. For epidemiology, findings raise cautions about potential confounding from co-occurring chemicals and misclassification due to variability in product composition. It appears that consumers can avoid some target chemicals—synthetic fragrances, BPA, and regulated active ingredients—using purchasing criteria. More complete labeling would enable consumers to avoid the rest.
Citation: Dodson RE, Nishioka M, Standley LJ, Perovich LJ, Brody JG, Rudel RA 2012. Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Consumer Products. Environ Health Perspect :-. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104052
If Monsanto's genetically engineered crops (corn, soybeans, canola, sugar beets, cotton) pollute an organic or non-GMO farmer's land, under corporate-corrupted U.S. patent law, Monsanto can sue these victimized farmers for so-called "theft of intellectual property." Since the mid-1990s, 144 farmers have been taken to court by the Biotech Bully of St. Louis. Monsanto has brought charges against more than 700 additional farmers who have settled out-of-court. These farmers had no intention of growing crops or saving seeds that contain Monsanto's controversial patented genes. Their crops have been contaminated by genetically engineered plants in neighboring fields or contamination in seed processing facilities.
Last week, we reported that the Sacramento Bee had run an opinion piece by Dan Morain full of lies about the California ballot initiative campaign to label GMOs. We asked Bytes readers to set the record straight by reading our rebuttal and posting comments to the article on the Sacramento Bee website. 
"The U.S. industrial food and farming system, dominated by fast food restaurants and processed, chemical-laden food, has precipitated a public health crisis. Although nutritionists recommend that consumers avoid eating unhealthy junk foods, every day 75 million Americans "supersize" themselves and damage their health by eating at McDonald's or other fast food restaurants. Forty percent of American meals are now purchased and consumed outside the home, typically consisting of high-calorie, low-nutrition items such as soft drinks, French fries, and low-grade meat, laced with fat, cheap sweeteners, pesticide residues, chemical additives, and salt. We have become a Fast Food Nation of bulging waistlines and high blood pressure."
OCA and our lobbying ally, the Organic Consumers Fund, put our money where our mouth is. With the 2012 California Ballot Initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Connecticut, Hawaii and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto, corporate agribusiness, and the supermarket chains with the skull and crossbones they fear so much: mandatory labels on genetically engineered food. At the same time we are continuing our struggle to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally; while warning consumers about the dangers of junk food and chemical agriculture. 
The US Department of Agriculture has extended its comment period on Dow's request to commercialize corn which has been genetically engineered for increased resistance to the herbicide 2,4-D of Agent Orange infamy.
