Poisoned for Profit: How Toxins Are Making Our Children Chronically Ill, Philip and Alice Shabecoff, 2010, ISBN 9781603582568
Have you ever wondered why there seems to be an epidemic of serious childhood diseases, such as cancer, asthma, and birth defects in the United States? It has a lot to do with the huge increase, in the last 50 years, of toxic chemicals released into the environment. This book gives the details.
There are several cities across the country, from Dickson, Tennessee, to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Toms River, New Jersey, that suffer a much higher than normal number of serious childhood illnesses. Each city also contains a large industrial plant that handles many toxic chemicals. Are all diseases “isolated cases” or “just one of those things”?
The authors say that the CEOs of major chemical companies are not evil people who deliberately want to poison innocent children, but profit is most important. It is very difficult to prove, absolutely, that a particular case of asthma or cancer, for example, was caused by chemicals from a particular industrial plant, although the circumstantial evidence is quite strong. Chemical companies use that uncertainty to delay paying fines or cleanup costs.
Scientists for pay are willing to say what chemical companies want them to say. The evidence is not conclusive and more studies are needed (read: delay). Washington is of no help. Through lobbying and campaign contributions, it has been made clear to members of Congress that bills to add new regulations must be watered down or rejected. Only a few of the thousands of chemicals have been tested in the environment. Those tests have been very short-term and have looked at the exposure of adults to chemicals. The level of toxicity for children and fetuses is much lower.
What can parents do? If you plan to have children in the future, adopt a healthy lifestyle. Get adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals, starting today (men and women). If you already have children, let them play outside and open the windows in your house for at least a few minutes a day (to let out accumulated toxins). Stay away from pesticides and dry cleaning, buy organic food as much as possible, buy solid wood furniture and floors instead of particle board, which is treated with formaldehyde. There are also many websites to visit with safer alternatives to everyday items.
This book easily reaches the level of Wow. It is very easy to read and is an eye-opener for all parents and expectant parents. This is highly recommended.
