Neurotoxic Chemicals Found in Biomonitoring Study on Developmental Disabilities Community

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http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1 & page=NewsArticle & id=156\

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By: Carin Yavorcik

 

61 toxic chemicals found in human participants pose the question: What is the

relationship between toxic chemicals and rising rates of autism,

attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other learning and developmental

disabilities?

 

The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI), a coalition of

health and developmental disabilities organizations including the Autism

Society, today released the first-ever biomonitoring report identifying toxic

chemical pollution in people from the learning and developmental disability

community. Mind, Disrupted: How Toxic Chemicals May Affect How We Think and Who

We Are examines 61 toxic chemicals present in study participants in the context

of rising rates of autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other

learning and developmental disabilities.

" Given the increasing rates of learning and developmental disabilities -

particularly autism - we need to recognize that costs associated with special

education, health care and long term support services will also continue to

grow, " explained Jeff Sell, Autism Society Vice President of Public Policy and

father of teen sons with autism.

 

A total of 61 chemicals (out of 89 tested) were found in the 12 participants, of

which Mr. Sell was one. Each participant was found to harbor at least 26 and as

many as 38 of the tested chemicals in their bodies. There were 16 chemicals

detected in every participant.

 

The report was released in conjunction with today's Senate Hearing to be held at

10 a.m. before the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund,

Toxics and Environmental Health to examine current science on public exposures

to toxic chemicals.

 

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the primary federal law governing

chemical safety, and has never been significantly amended since its adoption in

1976. Of the 80,000 chemicals available for use in the U.S., the Environmental

Protection Agency has been able to require safety testing of only 200. Since its

passage, evidence has been accumulating that chemicals such as lead, mercury,

bisphenol A (BPA) and PBDEs may harm the developing brain at levels much lower

than those previously considered safe. New legislation to bring the toxics law

into the 21st century will be introduced by Sen. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) in early 2010.

 

The report is now available at www.minddisrupted.org, where the Senate hearing

will also be streamed live. For more information about the Senate Environment

and Public Works Committee Hearing, visit their Web site.

Love, Gabby. :0)

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" I know of nobody who is purely Autistic or purely neurotypical. Even God had

some Autistic moments, which is why the planets all spin. " ~ Jerry Newport