Healthy Environments [
from toxic exposures, we can protect
Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Henry Waxman
everyone. We need to create healthy
(D-CA) introduced the Safe Chemicals Act
environments to ensure that all children
of 2010—long-awaited landmark legislation
can reach their full potential, have the
that would overhaul the way the federal
best possible quality of life and contribute
government protects the public from toxic
to society.
chemicals.
Given the increasing rates of autism, the
The Safe Chemicals Act goes a long way
costs associated with long-term care of
toward bringing our failing chemical
those with disabilities, special education
management system into the 21st
and related health-care costs will continue
century. It puts health first, provides
to grow. The recent health-care debate
better information to businesses and
suggests that we need to do everything we
helps the average consumer avoid toxic
can to decrease costs by taking preventative chemicals in everyday products. However, actions. Reducing environmental
this important bill still has room for
contributors to neurological problems will
improvement, and the Autism Society is
serve to save families, communities and
currently advocating for strengthening it
society significant expenses in the future.
and working with Congress to make it more
The Need for Chemical Reform
difficult for new harmful chemicals to enter the marketplace without first being tested
The connection between toxic
for safety. However, they need your help.
environmental exposures and
Please write to your Representative and
neurodevelopment is an emerging area
Senators to encourage them to cosponsor
of concern. According to a 1994 study,
and strengthen this legislation:
approximately 16 percent of children in the United States have some form of
http://tiny.cc/o58ym.
Yeargin-Allsopp, 1994). Rates of autism
Effects of Environmental Exposures
and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Toxins in our environment should be
(ADHD) continue to rise. Exposures
a major concern for all of us. Some
to environmental toxins, such as lead,
developmental disabilities are caused
mercury and chemicals in plastics and
by exposure to toxins prior to birth or
personal care products, can harm brain
during childhood. Large amounts of
developmental delay (Boyle, Decoufle, &
development and contribute to learning and neurotoxic chemicals are released into the
developmental disabilities. Incredibly, the
environment every year. However, because
vast majority of the 80,000 chemicals used
the connection between environmental
in commerce have never been screened for
toxins and neurodevelopment is an
human health impacts. Comprehensive
emerging area, much more research needs
reform of chemical policy is crucial if we
to be done. To learn more about the link
are to reduce exposures that are associated
between environmental health and autism,
with developmental disabilities and prevent
the Autism Society offers a free online
further harm to vulnerable populations.
course at http://tiny.cc/45itk.
A first step toward this reform occurred
Exposure to environmental toxins, such as
on April 15, 2010, when Senator Frank
lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls
Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Congressmen
(PCBs), alcohol and tobacco, have all been SECOND EDITION 2010 •
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