First, here are some interesting facts:
- In the past 40 years, at least 70,000 new chemicals have been released into the environment through new consumer and industrial products and food. Besides a few well known “bad actors”, there is virtually no regulation on the chemical industries. They can produce anything they want, no matter how harmful it is.
- Male and female infertility are on the rise. Research is now pointing to pesticides as a viable cause. This research is well documented by the Environmental Working Group in partnership with the Red Cross and a number of other reputable organizations.
- Women who work in the home have a 54% higher death rate than women who work out of the home. – Toronto Indoor Air Conference, 1990 — could it be, at least in part, the chemicals used to clean the home that they are breathing all day?
- Each year more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the US, costing the health care system $18 billion annually. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (inflamed nasal membranes) has increased substantially over the past 15 years. Chemicals are becoming stronger and, therefore, their effects on people are more severe.
- Asthma ranks among the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting an estimated 14.9 million persons and its prevalence is increasing.
- According to the U.S Poison Control Centers, “A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds and more than 50% of all poisonings occur at home with children under 5 years of age.” Chemicals should always be handled carefully and kept out of the reach of children.
- Asthma is the #1 cause of absenteeism in schools.
- There has been a 25% increase in the last 25 years in cancer incidence among children under 15 years of age.
- ADD/ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood behavior disorder today. More than two million (3-5%) children have ADD.
- Thirty years ago the 3 major childhood illnesses were chickenpox, measles and mumps. Now it is asthma, ADD and cancer.
- Brain cancer in children is up 40% in 20 years. Could it be due in part to early exposure to chemicals?
