Between 1990 and 1997, industrial polluters in Washington sent more than 2.8 million pounds of lead to be used as filler in fertilizer and spread onto farms and grazing land. Can impair immune system function, neurological development and learning behavior in infants and small children. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and can cause birth defects and damage to the kidneys and lungs. Lead may cause damage to the brain, kidneys and reproductive system. In children, may cause delayed physical and mental development and deficits in hearing and learning ability.
Pentachlorophenol exposure can cause spasms, convulsions and coma.
Exposed workers have been found to have increased incidence of leukemia, skin cancer and nasal cancer. For years, polluting industries have fought against state and federal proposals that would reduce the amount of pollution pumped into our environment or even give the public more accurate information about who's polluting what. However, since then, intense pressure from the polluters has stalled the initiative. The Solution Banning the worst toxic chemicals To protect ourselves, our children and our environment, we must stop releasing dangerous chemicals into our environment. In the fall of 2000, the public overwhelmingly expressed their support of a PBT strategy that would phase out and eliminate persistent bioaccumulative toxins.