Household Chemicals Affect Fertility - More Testing Now!
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
A UC Berkeley study released in late January, 2010 revealed that common household chemicals can reduce a woman's fertility.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame-retardants that are found in sofas, fabrics, plastics and electronics, and are present in 97 percent of Americans. This study showed that of the 223 women monitored, the women with high levels of PBDEs were were between 30 and 50 percent less likely to conceive in a month's time!
Two types of PBDEs have been phased out by the EPA and the one still in use is set to be phased out beginning in 2013. But not only do these chemicals remain in our homes for many years, but the new chemicals that are replacing these flame-retardants are just as unknown and untested as PBDEs when they were first used.
We cannot continue this dangerous cycle of toxicity! Tell the EPA to properly test chemicals before allowing them into our homes.
Dear FDA Administrator Jackson,
A UC Berkeley study recently revealed that women with high levels of Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in their blood were 30-50 percent less likely to become pregnant than those women with lower levels.
This is a troubling and dangerous statistic. I am aware that the current PBDE that is being used will not be phased out until 2013, and I believe that is too far away. However, I am more concerned that the chemicals that are replacing PBDEs are just as unknown to us, as are their affects on the human body. If these chemicals are going to be replacing PBDEs in order to meet fire safety standards, then it is critical that these chemicals undergo rigorous testing as to their affects on human health.
It is incredibly disconcerting to find out that products are extremely dangerous many years after having those products in my home. Please ensure that any chemicals released for public use are properly tested.
Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
