Current research suggests that at minute doses, some toxic chemicals can have devastating effects on the reproductive, developmental and immunological systems of the offspring of many species, including humans. Half of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals identified so far are chlorinated chemicals. The public health crisis related to environmental contamination is reaching dramatic proportions. Breast cancer affects one in eight women. Other forms of cancer are also rising.
Research suggests that sperm counts are dropping in some industrialised countries.
Research conducted in New York has shown behavioural abnormalities in children whose mothers ate Great Lakes fish prior to pregnancy. These and other findings require us to question the wisdom of exposing another generation to such toxins. There are initiatives happening on the international and national levels aimed at restricting the production, use and dangerous disposal of chlorinated chemicals. These efforts are likely to increase over the next decade due to a combination of escalating health effects, new research on endocrine disruption and vigorous broad-based citizen action campaigns. We must develop a broad alliance working for these changes that includes environmental health and justice forces and labour to push for a transition away from a toxic, chemically-addicted economy to a saner, healthier, more sustainable world.