Harmful Chemicals neurotoxin young children and fetuses are

Harmful Chemicals

* neurotoxin * young children and fetuses are the most vulnerable

Sources of Lead Exposure ceramic glaze ammunition picture tube pipes & solder

Reducing Lead Exposure

* neurotoxin * young children and fetuses are the most vulnerable

Sources of mercury in the environment elemental (Hg) and inorganic (Hg 2+) NATURAL weathering

ANTHROPOGENIC waste incineration

How mercury enters humans * inhalation (elemental & inorganic) * Eating fish contaminated with methyl mercury (CH 3 Hg) Once inorganic mercury falls into the water, bacteria convert it to an organic form, methyl mercury. This is easily biomagnified because of its solubility in fats (lipids). ** Acid deposition can accelerate conversion to methyl mercury **

Reducing Mercury Exposure

* Toxic & persistent * Can cause respiratory problems * Organochlorines may act as endocrine disrupters

Uses of Chlorine TCE chlorinated solvents disinfectant in water treatment production of PVC

Reducing use of Chlorine use O 3 or H 2 O 2 to “bleach” pulp/paper alternatives to chlorine based cleaners use O 3 to disinfect drinking water use plant based plastics instead of PVC plastic

* Chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds * Some are carcinogenic * Endocrine, reproductive, and immune disruptors

Where do dioxins come from? * Unwanted by-products of industrial processes that use chlorine production of PVC * Incineration of municipal & medical waste

Most human exposure comes from. . . FOOD most notably contaminated fatty meats & dairy products

POPs Treaty persistent organic pollutants * 2001 international treaty * “Dirty Dozen” pollutants including DDT, PCBs, and dioxins * GOALS 1> ban/phase out use of dirty dozen 2> detoxify/stockpile dirty dozen * The United States still has not ratified the treaty

The Dirty Dozen ▪ Banned/highly restricted chemicals ▪ Pesticides Insecticides Industrial Waste Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Aldrin Chlordan DDT Dieldrin Endrin Heptachlor Hexachlorobenzene Mirex Toxaphene PCBs Polychlorinated Dioxins Polychlorinated Furans