by Tony Isaacs
(The
Best Years in Life) After years
of delay due to intense pressure
from the chemical industry, the
government finally added
formaldehyde and styrene - two of
the worlds mostly widely used
chemicals - to its list of known and
probable carcinogens this month.
Formaldehyde is widely used in
plywood, particle board, mortuaries
and hair salons. Styrene is found
in styrofoam containers and is
widely used in boat manufacturing.
The chemical and manufacturing
industries have long suspected that
the latest report would warn about
formaldehyde and styrene and
industry groups have fought the
process behind its release ever
since. As a result of industry
pressure, the government added
numerous public comment periods to
the process. Even after the report
was written, officials at the
Department of Health and Human
Services delayed the report’s
release for months in order to cope
with industry complaints.
“Industry held this report up for
four years,” said Jennifer Sass, a
senior scientist at the Natural
Resources Defense Council. “They
have tried to create the impression
that there was real scientific
uncertainty here, but there’s not.”
Studies of workers exposed to high
levels of formaldehyde, such as
embalmers, have found increased
incidences of myeloid leukemia and
rare cancers of the nasal passages
and upper mouth. Studies of workers
exposed to high levels of styrene
have found increased risks of
leukemia and lymphoma as well as
genetic damage to white blood cells.
The report also found that there is
some evidence that styrene increases
the risks of cancer of the pancreas
and esophagus among styrene workers.
Consumers can be exposed to styrene
from the fumes of building
materials, photocopiers and tobacco
smoke.
Though the report downplayed the
risks associated with styrene, it is
notable that hundreds of millions of
styrofoam food, beverage and other
containers contain styrene and the
styrofoam particles can easily be
dislodged with metal utensils as
well as hard plastic utensils. In
addition, consumers frequently
re-heat food and beverages in
styrofoam containers, including cups
and disposable plates and the
process can leach dangerous styrene
into the food and beverages.
The American Cancer Society (ACS),
whose ties to the chemical
industries have been well
documented, conceded that
formadehyde problematic, but
attempted to downplay the dangers of
styrene. According to Chief ACS
medical officer Dr. Otis Brawley
formaldehyde is “worrisome but
inescapable.”
“It’s the smell in new houses, and
it’s in cosmetics like nail polish,”
he said. According to Brawley, “all
a reasonable person can do is manage
their exposure and decrease it to as
little as possible.”
As for styrene’s presence in
styrofoam, plastic utensils and
other consumer products, Brawley
said the risk was uncertain and
slight - the same Brawley said is
true of cell phones.
The new report also lists
aristolochic acids as a known
carcinogen the fungicide captafol,
finely spun glass wool fibers used
in insulation, cobalt-tungsten
carbide, riddelliine (found in
plants eaten by horses, cows and
sheep) and ortho-nitrotoluene (used
in dyes) as probable carcinogens.
To see how the chemical industry and
other cancer causing industries have
diverted and hidden attention from
their cancer causing compounds, see
the article series beginning with
this article:
The American Cancer Society:
Running WITH the Money and AWAY From the Cure - Part 1
and this in-depth expose:
Breast Cancer Deception – Hiding
the Truth beneath a Sea of Pink
Sources included:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/health/11cancer.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2011/06/12/2011-06-12_two_main_components_of_coffee_cups_and_carry_out_containers_identified_as_cancer.html
About the authorTony Isaacs is a natural health advocate and researcher and the author of books and articles about natural health including Cancer's Natural Enemy. Mr. Isaacs articles are featured at Natural News, the Health Science Institute's Healthiertalk website, CureZone, the Crusador online, AlignLife, the Cancer Tutor, the American Chronicle and several other venues. Mr. Isaacs also has The Best Years in Life website for baby boomers and others wishing to avoid prescription drugs and mainstream managed illness and live longer, healthier and happier lives naturally. In addition, he hosts the Yahoo Oleandersoup Health group of over 2000 members and the CureZone Ask Tony Isaacs - Featuring Luella May forum. Mr. Isaacs and his partner Luella May recently began hosting The Best Years in Life Radio Show for Rumor Mill News on the Micro Effect Radio Network..
After
years of industry delay,
formaldehyde and styrene added to
carcinogens list