WARNING by 200 scientists: Even low chemical exposure harms fetuses

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'The warning, dubbed the Faroes Statement, came from 200 chemists,biologists, toxicologists, epidemiologists and pediatricians at aconference... funded in part by the World Health Organization, theNational Institutes of Health and the European Environment Agency." Group: Even low exposure to chemicals can harm fetuses By Weise, USA TODAY

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-05-24-pregnancy_N.htmAn international group of scientists sounded a warning Thursday thatexposure to even extremely low doses of some chemicals while a fetus isdeveloping can cause major changes in its future growth, health andability to reproduce.The warning, dubbed the Faroes Statement, came from 200 chemists,biologists, toxicologists, epidemiologists and pediatricians at aconference in the Faroe Islands, between Norway and Iceland. It wasfunded in part by the World Health Organization, the National Institutesof Health and the European Environment Agency. While numerous recent research conferences have focused on the topic,this is the first time a group of respected scientists have publiclycalled for a full-court press to research the extent of the problem andto focus on prevention.The amount of a chemical that can affect an adult may be "orders ofmagnitude" different from what can seriously interfere with thedevelopment of a baby, said Philippe Grandjean, a professor ofenvironmental health at Harvard University's School of Public Health anda conference co-chairman. "Both prostate cancer and breast cancer can begenerated by exposure to very low concentrations of some chemicals earlyin life," he said.Paracelsus, "the father of toxicology" in the 16th century, firstadvanced the paradigm that "the dose makes the poison." That still holdstrue, but "equally important is that 'the timing makes the poison,' "the Faroes Statement said.Examples discussed at the conference included the link betweenhormone-mimicking chemicals, some of which are used to make pesticidesand plastics, and the increasing occurrence of testicular cancer andpoor semen quality, as well as changes in puberty development. Low dosesof chemicals that affect the immune system have been linked to increasedsusceptibility to allergies. The message is not a new one, but scientists have tended to quietlysuggest more research was needed, rather than shouting there's a problemthat needs to be dealt with."What's important is that they're saying it," said Gore,professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Texas, whohas helped organize previous meetings on the topic."This says 'Wake up!' " said Eskenazi, a professor ofepidemiology at the University of California, Berkeley who attended theconference. "This is not about us any more, this is about futuregenerations."

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