According to a newly released report by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), which represents OB-GYNs in 125 countries, chemical exposures represent a major threat to human health.
Toxic chemicals are all around us; in our food, water, air, and countless commonly used products and goods, and this onslaught is having a definitive effect — even when exposures are relatively low.
This is particularly true during pregnancy and early infancy. According to the report:
“Exposure to toxic environmental chemicals during pregnancy and breastfeeding is ubiquitous and is a threat to healthy human reproduction.”
The report is being shared during this year’s global conference on women’s health issues in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The group warns that international trade agreements currently under negotiation lack protections against toxic chemicals, and they also urge health professionals in all countries to advocate for policies that help prevent toxic exposures and ensure a healthy food system.
Environmental Chemicals Threaten Human Health and Reproduction
The FIGO report homes in on a number of the most pervasive toxins, including:
• Pesticides
• Air pollutants, such as diesel fumes
• Plastic chemicals, such as Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates
Among the health outcomes linked to these toxic chemicals are:
• Miscarriages
• Stillbirths
• Cancer
• Reduced cognitive function
• Hyperactivity
The Cost of Chemical Exposures Is Significant
The costs associated with these health outcomes are staggering. For example, in Europe, costs associated with exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals alone are estimated at 157 billion Euros (which is approximately $177.1 billion) per year.
In 2008, the cost associated with childhood diseases linked to toxic exposures in the US was estimated at nearly $77 billion.
To understand just how severe chemical exposures have become, consider this: each year a total of 9.5 trillion pounds of chemicals are manufactured or imported into the US, which translates into 30,000 pounds per American!
All of these chemicals “go” somewhere... They go into food production, building materials, household products, personal care items, furniture, clothing — you name it, it will probably have a variety of chemicals in it.
Chemical emissions and runoff also contaminate our soils, water, and air. As noted by Mother Jones:4
“Dr. Tracey Woodruff, an associate professor at the University of California-San Francisco, says while there are ways individuals can limit their exposure — including building better health practices overall and eating a pesticide-free, healthy diet — more needs to be done to protect everyone.
‘You can do some things to enhance your resiliency to disease or decrease chemical exposures,’ she says, ‘but there are a lot of things that are not in your control.’
That's why FIGO... is calling on health professionals and legislators to support policies that prevent exposure and offering recommendations that could help mitigate health risks, including increasing access to healthy food and incorporating environmental health into health care.”
