Silent Spring

A Different way is Needed to Test Toxic Chemicals

But how should new testing methods go?

How can you test for chemicals that could affect foetal development at concentrations at one part per trillion?

The current approach is the complete opposite of that required to deal with endocrine disruption. Industry is allowed to use a new synthetic chemical unless a danger has been proved with scientific certainty. But everyone know that if is near impossible, to establish scientific certainty of causation of most health problems in humans. Therefore the laws are extremely biased towards the unrestricted use of poorly tested synthetic chemicals in industry.

However, the situation is becoming very serious. Every day that nothing is done to control the use of already established endocrine disruptors endangers the health of a whole generation of children. The warning signs are there, the cases seen in wildlife of sterile alligators, panthers and declining bird populations. Among humans, increases in reproductive health issues and the decreases in the average sperm count of men in industrialized countries.

Everyday new evidence is coming to light, but everyday we drag our feet. There has to be a change in the way toxicity is measured and this change has to be quickly applied to law where it can be used to regulate the use of possible endocrine disruptors.

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Silent Spring