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Sorting Out Facts on Environmental Contaminants

When it comes to scientific research, absolutes are hard to come by – especially when you’re talking about cause and effect. Too often the answers to the questions, “Does it cause cancer?” and “Does it cause learning disabilities?” end up being “Maybe.”

That can make it hard for consumers who want to know, without a doubt, whether a particular chemical used in a children’s toy, for example, will or will not cause their child harm. Today’s parents face a wealth of information – much of it available on the Internet – regarding chemical exposures their kids may face on a daily basis. But sorting through all that data to make wise choices for their families can be tough.

What’s more, there are still areas where we don’t have enough information to make informed choices. For example, of the 2,800 most widely used chemicals on the market today, only half have been studied for their potential to harm people, wildlife and the environment.

Experts advise parents to be reasonably informed and do what they can to avoid toxic exposures for their children, but not to spend all their time fretting about it. When in doubt, avoid the biggest risks – such as mercury in fish, smoking and lead paint. Other steps are also easy to take, such as never microwaving food in plastic containers. And when you have the option, purchasing organic fruits and vegetables promises your kids fewer chemical exposures and higher levels of nutrients in their food.

If you’ve done that much for your family, you’ve done a lot.

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To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org