Online resource:
Easybib.com – a Web site that helps with formating sources into MLA format.
Owl.english.purdue.edu – a website that shows how to format sources into APA format by giving sample paper and explaining rules for cover sheets and reference pages.
calstatela.edu - a great website that explains how to format a paper in ASA format (American Sociological Association). alterative link
Posted in Communication
vitacost.com, FL based company, is a great source for wholesale vitamins, it also offers herbs and organic products.
If you have any other suggetions or know of a great online site that offers great deals on vitamins, let me know. Thanks.
Posted in Health
written by: Jeffry Tupa
Comparative Study – Analytical Report
Synthetic Chemicals Used in Consumer Goods
Harmful or Not to Male Reproductive System
Introduction
The purpose of this comparative study is to find out if synthetic chemicals that are used in plastics impact the health developments in males. There are over thousands of unregulated, untested synthetic chemicals that are used in a variety of materials and consumer products.
Some synthetic chemicals that are used in plastics act and mimic the same hormone chemicals in humans and animals, and can cause some unwanted, unintended, damaging effects. The types of toxic chemicals in this comparative study will be examined are: diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonylphenol, dichlorodiphenyl-trichlorethane (DDT), bisphenol A (BPA), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), tributyltin (TBT), and seven different phthalates (DEP, DEHP, DINP, DBP, BBP, DNOP and DIDP).
This comparative study will examine all the different types of toxic chemicals used in consumer plastics and the effects it has on males in the U.S. This report will also study what most common toxic chemicals are found to have an impact on health affecting the reproduction system in male fetus and infants. This study will find out what U.S. cities produce and manufacture the most harmful chemicals used in all consumer goods and products in the market. This study will find out how often consumers are exposed and aware of exposure to toxic chemicals. This study will also examine what type of male development have been affected and what types of health issues have increased over the decades because of synthetic chemicals used in plastics.
Sources and Methods
This comparative study was put together from all different types of sources including books, experts, statistical and institutional data, Internet sites, magazine and newspaper articles, and surveys. The information for this topic is very controversial and there are a lot of disagreements on what is toxic. The government, industries, and private organizations/associations all try to define what ingredients and chemicals are safe, unsafe, or even how much a certain level of toxic chemical exposure is okay for the public. However, I decided not to use statistics for checking the number of national male population to see if there was a decline in the rate of males versus females, because the chemical industries that produce plastic chemicals depend on which cities they are in, so a national count of the population will not help.
The best sources of information found were from articles gathered from the Internet. The article The Disappearing Male – Doc Zone” by CBC-TV, a Canadian News site, provided a 43-minute documentary about males disappearing because of the “hormone mimicking” chemicals like BPA and phthalates used in shampoo, carpets, cosmetics, food products, and baby bottles. It also discribed how the chemicals attack the male reproductive system causing more males to develop health problems such as ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, genital deformities, low sperm count, sperm abnormalities, testicular cancer, and dyslexia. Another important article used was Factsheet: Male Infertility by the same site. It provided information about industrial nations decreasing in male babies and also on how much sperm count has declined in males.
In addition to BPA, the article Cancer and Chemicals In Our Daily Life (BPA, Dioxin) by Femtalks, a blog site, explained that BPA is a toxic chemical that is mostly used in canned foods and beverage containers because the epoxy resin that lines metal food cans and in some plastic containers of water bottles and baby bottles can cause early puberty, diabetes, obesity, and breast cancer.
Another source gathered from the Internet was from the article Changes In Human Sex Ratio by ourstolenfuture.org, a website that provides information on chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system. The article talked about decreasing chances of having a son and also gave a study report about China, Denmark, Canada, Russia, and Taiwan whose sex ratios of males are declining because of the exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.
Another useful site on synthetic chemicals in plastics was from Mindfully, a nonprofit research organization. The article For Her It’s Sexy. For Baby, It Could Really Be Poison explained that BBP, DBP, DEP, and DEHP are used as a plasticizer to add flexibility in plastics and to dissolve other ingredients in hair sprays, deodorants, lotions, fragrances, and nail polishes. These phthalates, known as vinyl plastic, or PVC, are also used in adhesives, medical IV, blood bags, paints, pesticides, and some plastic food packages. This article said that the exposure to toxic chemicals becomes harmful from the repeated doses and usage of these products and gave a list of some brand names which are in concern.
Some information was gathered from the article ETOX 80E – Hormone Disruptors found on the environmental toxicology page of University of California. The article explained that DDT is used for pesticides in farms, and that PAH is the by-product of industrial processes and incinerations. Also, DES is a synthetic estrogen that has been used for 20 years in about 6 million women in U.S. and U.K. to help prevent miscarriage and also used to help cattle growth. Some reproductive effects in offspring were increasing miscarriages, malformed or abnormal sperm, and undescend testicles at birth.
A great impact on this comparative study came from the expert interviews. I contacted 3 experts that are familiar with the effects of synthetic chemicals. “The science policy issue is a very complex and involved in a trade-off between environmental health and human health, especially in developing countries,” said Doug Fratz, vice president of the scientific and tactical affairs for Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA). The Encyclopedia of Association, located in the Alfred R. Neumann library at University of Houston – Clear Lake (UHCL), referred the CSPA, a trade association that has been working with manufactures in distribution and sales of consumer products. Fratz said that the ingredients used in personal care products are reviewed for safety in the Cosmetic Ingredient Review program. He also said that government sites such as the National Institutes of Health, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), are not accurate or up-to-date on consumer product ingredients. Fratz also said that consumer pesticides products are under the EPA regulation, while most other household products are regulated by the Consumer Protection Safety Commission, and all require adequate data in order to be labeled for safe use. The CSPA’s Product Ingredient Review programs allow companies to do joint testing.
The next person that I interviewed was Diana Post, a veterinarian and the president of the Rachel Carson Council. The Washington Information Directory, located in Alfred R. Neumann library at UHCL, referred the Rachel Carson Council, an association that seeks to inform about the impacts of harmful chemicals. Post said that she did not know where nonylphenol, BPA or phthalates were manufactured, but the only company listed in the Crop Protection Handbook that manufactured DDT was King Tech Corp in China. Post explained that PCBs was banned from U.S. in 1970s and that all “active ingredients” used in pesticides are not allowed to be called “safe” under EPA regulations. She said that the exposures to synthetic chemicals that are endocrine disruptors and have estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity have being reported to involve in an apparent decline in human semen quality. Also, Post said, “Most of the insecticides that are commonly used in and around homes are toxic to the nervous systems of insects, and also to a lesser degree than to other animals and people,” She said that chemicals such as PBA, used to harden plastics; nonylphenol, behaving as soap-like surfactants; and DDT, acting as pesticides can have adverse effects on the male reproductive system since they can act like female hormone, estrogen, or can act as an anti-androgen.
The third expert I interviewed was Dan Newton, a chemical risk and government relations manager for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA). Google, an Internet search engine, referred the Rachel Carson Council, an association that advocates policies of the government and chemical industries to take precaution with synthetic chemicals. He named a few organizations/departments such as the Society of Toxicology (SOT), ATSDR and NTP that have administered surveys on toxicologists recently, which was not a surprise to SOCMA.
Another useful source was the book Reproductive Health and the Environment edited by P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati, which was located through UHCL Library Catalog. This book contains important information supported with numerous studies. It explained exactly how TBT, PCB, phthalates, PHP, and Dioxin affect the reproduction. The book explained that the exposure to PHP derived from coal burning induces a greater number of DNA adducts. In areas where the levels of PHP are higher, DNA adducts are detected in many placentas of fetuses, meaning inhaled PHP interferes with DNA replication and transcription in fetal tissues. Also, the book talked about TBT used as an additive in paints to prevent marine organisms from growing, which also inhibits energy transfer (ATP) in the body by collapsing the mitochondrial membranes and changing the transports of ions among the lipid membranes. The book said that the people accumulate PCBs through the food chain or through dermal contact and inhalation through sealants in buildings built before 1980s.
The Lexis Nexis Statistical database, used through the UHCL Library on campus, offered information about which U.S. cities and states generate the most hazardous waste, the growth value of U.S. plastic industries, and also the amount of money spent on medical drug specifically targeting the reproductive and endocrine systems.
Finding and Analysis
Throughout my seven-step research strategy, I found out much interesting information about synthetic chemicals used in consumer goods and how it affects the health reproduction of males. First, I found that 20 of the most industrial nations have less than three million fewer baby boys in the last 30 years, and that, in the U.S., college students have less than half the amount of sperm count compared to students 50 years ago according to Canadian News. In 2008, the article Is Pollution Weeding Out Male Babies? said that U.S. has had an overall drop of 17 males per 10,000 and from 1972 to 1999, the fetal deaths of males rose nearly two-thirds. According to the article Risk Assessment For Environmental Health, there are at least twenty environmental chemicals and toxicants, some such as Dioxins, PCBs, DDT, and DDE, found in the human umbilical cords that were transferred from mothers to their babies. Also, “DDT and its transformation product DDE have been linked to lower sperm counts and impair semen quality, based on studies of men in Mexico and Africa, where DDT was being used at the time,” Post said.
I also found out in the article Reproductive Health and the Environment that the air pollution from petrochemical industry areas were associated with 2.9 times higher risk of spontaneous miscarriages and that pregnant women and their infants exposed to PHP had an impact on pregnancy outcome by increasing intrauterine growth retardation and lowing birth weight. Air pollution may be detrimental to reproductive health. The book also said that PCBs reduced semen quality and reduced sperm motility, regardless of PCB level and that men living in industrial areas have impaired sperm quality and endocrine alterations, due to the pollution of many endocrine-disrupting chemicals. According to the book Reproductive Health and the Environment and the article Changes In Human Sex Ratio, I found out that the EPA has confirmed that Dioxin is a cancer hazard to people and that dioxin, 2,3,7,8-TCDD, is now considered as a Class 1 carcinogen. The reason fathers are more likely to have daughters rather than sons is because Dioxin and PCB bioaccumulation alter the sex ratio, due to its anti-androgenic effects, which delay fertilization and alter Y chromosomes in sperm.
I found out that TBT intake is bioaccumulated through seafood, because fish near port waters become polluted with TBT and the fish species swimming through the port can migrate to where fishing does occur, according to the article Reproductive Health and the Environment. Toxic chemicals also penetrate the body through the use of consumer personal care products. “The dose is the poison” is the fundamental fact of toxicology, which means that all substances are toxic at high enough dose or exposure, and all chemicals are non-toxic at low enough dose/exposure,” said Fratz. When I asked Fratz if there were any toxicity concerns with phthalates and BPA chemicals, he said yes, because of the chains structures that were formed. For instance, he said that BBP is used as a plasticizer to bind with parts of the plastic to make it flexible and that DEP is used “as a solubilizing oil in some products.” DBP and DEHP (phthalates) have anti-androgenic activity that suppresses cell production in fetal Leydig and may lead to cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism is a frequent malformation. An article from the New York Times said that Canada was about to regulate the use of DEHP, DINP, DBP, BBP, DNOP and DIDP in any type of vinyl plastics because it can cause liver and kidney failure. I also found out that BPA was detected in 96% of soft drink cans, according to the article Cancer and Chemicals In Our Daily Life (BPA, Dioxin).
In the survey conducted for this comparative study, 56% of respondents bought one to three food cans a week and 44% bought soft drink cans and 36% used plastic packages. The survey also reported that 88% of soap/shampoo and 36% of hand cream products were used all the time. About half of all the respondents used plastic cups at home. I found out that 98% said if they were aware of a product that could be harmful to the reproductive system, they would stop using it. Dan said that manufacturers “are concerned about potential adverse effects of chemicals to health and the environment.” However, in the survey, 42% of respondents disagreed that manufacturing companies cared about the health of its consumers and 41% felt neutral. In the article Strategy Being Devised To Protect Use of BPA, I found out that manufacturers were using fear tactics vecause they were struggling to develop a clear defense for the use of BPA and that the FDA will not ban BPA because of two studies funded by the chemical industry saying it was safe. Also, what was even more surprising was the article Chemicals And Our Health when it said that manufacturers sometimes do not disclose when phthalates are being used in products. Fratz said, “Each chemical supplier tests their ingredients and does their own safety assessments on chemicals.” I didn’t know chemicals in the consumer products are regulated by the same companies who make the chemicals.
Table of Appendixes:
Appendix A – Survey Sample
Appendix B – Survey Results
Appendix C – Survey Analysis
Appendix D – Survey Question 1
Appendix E – Survey Question 2
Appendix F – Survey Question 3
Appendix G – Survey Questions 4 and 5
Appendix H – Survey Questions 6 and 7
Appendix I – Survey Question 8
Appendix J – Survey Question 9
Appendix K – Survey Question 10
Appendix L – Survey Question 11
Appendix – U.S. Value of Plastic and Rubber’ Shipments from 2000-2007
Appendix N – U.S. Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Preparations
Appendix O – Largest City Hazardous Waste Generators in U.S.
Recommendation
All the different types of toxic chemicals used in consumer plastic and the effects it has on males in the U.S. are evident, however, I recommend that pregnant women and infants need to stay away from these endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in plastics of toys and cosmetics. The most prevalent toxic chemicals are BPA and phthalates. I would recommend women not to wear cosmetic products or use personal care products that contain these chemicals because of the estrogenic activity can speed up the growth rate of breast cancer cells and be passed in offspring, causing the permanent health damage in their future. I also recommend using metal or glass plates, bottles, and cups for food at home and avoid buying canned products until BPA is not used anymore. I recomend not useing Styrofoam or anything plastic to heat up food in the microwave, which increases exposure to toxic chemicals.
There are some precautions and active measure that can help to reduce the amount of exposure to Dioxin and PHP, and by choosing not to live near an area where petrochemical industry processes plastic chemicals or where incineration take place. Also, try to avoid fishing and eating fish near water ports where many ships dock and import, so that the bioaccumulation of TBT does not increase in the body.
The government should take a more proactive role in pressuring manufactures to find alternative ways to make plastics and ban the production of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that threaten the health population of male babies. Information needs to be easily found, especially when it involves in the development and health of children. Manufacturing companies need to list every ingredient, even the chemicals used to make plastics, pesticides, fertilizers, animal feed, toys, and on food products. Everyone wants to know this so that they can protect themselves.
I don’t trust sites that are affiliated or funded with chemical industry. I recommend using published studies by the governmenal scientists and university laboratories that have tried to raise concerns about toxic chemicals used in products, instead of using the Cosmetic Ingredient Review or any other reviews that are funded and owned by the chemical industry.
Posted in Health
Nicolopoulou-Stamati, P., Luc Hens, and Vyvyan Howard. Reproductive Health and the Environment. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer, 2007.
This book explains how reproductive health and environment are affected by toxic chemicals used in consumer plastics. The book uses trends and data from records and analyzes the effects of synthetic hormone-disrupting chemicals and exposure to drug medicine on both male and female.
Sullivan, Patrick J., Franklin J. Agardy, and James J. J. Clark. The Environmental Science of Drinking Water. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005.
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The book talks about pesticide residue left behind in food which is toxic, depending on the tolerance level and exposure. It also says that consumers should be concerned with unregulated pollutants that are used in some factories. The book touches on many subjects like endocrine-disrupting chemicals, consumer products, and even the bottled beverages.
Lippmann, Morton. Environmental Toxicants: Human Exposures and Their Health Effects. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
The book talks about human exposures to the impacts of industrial settings and how the effects of human exposure are damaging to the health. Some toxicants talked about are pesticides and other by-products of manufacturing processes.
Robson, Mark, and William Toscano. Risk Assessment for Environmental Health. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2007.
This book addresses pesticide and chemical exposure through risk assessment. The models, analysis, and overviews in the book are useful and talk about many of the toxic chemicals that disrupt the environment and health development in species, for example, exposure to lead and pesticides on children versus adults. It also mentions phthalates, a plasticizer, DDT contamination in Triana, Alabama, and POPs found in umbilical cords of babies.
Grisham, John. The Appeal. New York: Doubleday, 2008.
It’s about a chemical company, owned by Carl Trudeau, trying to buy their way out from being punished for dumping toxic waste to a public water supply and causing cancer in the town to who drank the contaminated water.
Colborn, Theodora. Email and Telephoned. 28 July 2009. Author of Our stolen Future, a former senior scientist with the World Wildlife Fund and a current UF zoology professor. and President of TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) PO BOX 118525 Gainesville, FL 32611-8525. (352) 392- 1107. colborn@tds.net.
NO REPLY
Fratz, Doug. Telephone interview. 31 Jul 2009. Vice President of scientific and tactical affairs for the Consumer Specialty Products Association. (202) 833-7304. dfratz@cspa.org.
He has a BS in chemistry and Master degree in environmental sciences. Consumer Specialty Products Association is a trade organization for chemical manufacturers for commercial use. Doug Fratz spoke about the differences between the Cosmetic Ingredient Review programs and different government/organization groups like NIH, DHHS, FDA, EPA and DHHS. He spoke about how BBP, diethyl phthalate (DEP), BPA, and DDT worked.
Guillette, Louis J. Emailed and Telephoned. 28 Jul 2009. A Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Professor at University of Florida and GATOR Program Dirctor. 220 Bartram Hall, PO Box 118525 Gainesville, FL 32611-8525. (352) 392-1098. ljg@ufl.edu ljg@zoology.ufl.edu.
He studies reproductive biology and endocrinology, but NO REPLY
Mangino, Mario M. Email and Telephoned. 29 Jul 2009. Toxicologist of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5, Land & Chemicals Division. 77 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604. (312) 886-2589. mangino.mario@epa.gov.
He said, “I agree that endocrine disruption and synthetic chemicals issue is a very
timely topic. If you have time, I think you should contact the EPA person who has conducted research on EDs and Bisphenol- A and that is: Dr. Susan Euling, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Her contact info is: euling.susan.@epa.gov; (703)-347-8575;” However, I didn’t have enough time to contact this person.
Newton, Dan. Email interview. 31 July 2009. Chemical Risk and Government Relations Manager of Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates. 1850 M Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036. (202) 721-4158 newtond@socma.com.
Dan spoke about how manufacturers are concerned with the effects of chemicals that could harm male development and the health of the environment. He also told me to see this link: http://www.toxicology.org/pr/AreChemicalsPR.pdf for more information about the general public view on toxic chemicals and how it is portrayed.
Post, Diana. Telephone interview. 29 Jul 2009. A veterinarian and president of the Rachel Carson Council, Inc. PO Box 10779 Silver Spring, Maryland 20914. (301) 593-7507 rccouncil@aol.com.
Post spoke about nonylphenol, BPA, and phthalates, PCB’s. The company that makes and supplies DDT is King Tech Corp. Int Trade Comm Bldg, Rm 14 F/M, No. 3005 Nanhu Road, Shenzhen 518001, China. She also said that some “estrogen acting” chemicals do have adverse effects on the male reproductive system like BPA, Nonylphenol, and DDT.
Semenza, Jan C. Email and Telephoned. 28 Jul 2009. Associate Professor of Community Health at Portland State, and Clinical Associate Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at OHSU. (503) 725-8262. semenzaj@pdx.edu.
Semenza had Liana Winett, a Research Assistant Professor, leave me a voice message about how she didn’t have a resource or comment for my research topic.
Tolbert, Paige E. Telephoned. 28 Jul 2009. Professor and Chair of School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health at Emory University. (404) 727-3801. ptolber@sph.emory.edu .
NO REPLY
Wan, Yu-Jui Yvonne. Email only. 31 Jul 2009. a Professor, Director of The Liver Center, Joy McCann Professor and counselor of Society of Toxicology. 3901 Rainbow Blvd Kansas City Kansas 66160-7417. (913) 588-9111. (913) 588-9112. ywan@kumc.edu.
NO REPLY
Encyclopedia of Association: (professional organization)
Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA). 900 17th St. NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006. 202-872-8110. www.CSPA.org.
The CSPA, a trade association, works with over 240 manufacturers in distribution and sales of consumer products. The agency promotes air care markets by guiding the regulatory process of manufacturing and addressing health, safety, and environmental concerns to ensure that consumer products are safe and have appropriate label information.
Washington Information Directory: (non-governmental agency)
Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). 1667K St. N.W., #10000 2006; (202) 974-5200. William Carteaux, President. www.plasticsindustry.org.
This organization has represented the entire plastics industry supply chain since 1937. SPI helps develop commercial services and trade shows in the marketplace and provides industries with public policies. SPI has a Bioplastics Industry Overview Guide that gives consumer information about bioplastics usage and applications.
Washington Information Directory: (non-governmental agency)
Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA). 1850 M Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036. (202) 721-4100. Joseph Acker, President. www.socma.org.
Since 1921, SOCMA has been a leading international is a not-for-profit trade association that works to ensure policies that Congress and regulatory agencies are implement in chemical manufacturing. SOCMA has members in over 2,000 manufacturing sites that produce specialty chemicals and ingredients used in commercial products. This agency also has its own environmental, health, and safety programs.
U.S. Government Manual: (government agency)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., #3130, MS 7101M 20460-7101. (202) 561-2902. www.epa.gov/oppts.
This is a great source for the compiled list of chemical substances. The EPA also registers, controls, and regulates pesticides and toxic substances that are used in the manufacturing industry.
“For her it’s sexy. For baby, it could really be poison.” Mindfully.org. Retrieved 19 July 2009 <http://www.mindfully.org/Health/2002/Sexy-Baby-Phthalate-Poison.htm>.
This site is a nonprofit research organization that provides information to the public. This site talks about manufacturers using toxic chemicals like phthalate, which are linked to birth defects in babies. The site found four toxic phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEP and DEHP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a toxic chemical used in everyday consumer products
Goettlich, Paul. “Get Plastic Out Of Your Diet.” Mindfully.org. Retrieved 19 July 2009<http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Out-Of-Diet-PG5nov03.htm>.
There is no best plastic to contain food or drink. PVC is used in most cardboard milk containers instead of wax and is used to preserve freshness in both commercial and organic produce. The site says that the EPA regulates some plastic chemicals as a pesticide if it acts like a fungicide, so that the FDA doesn’t regulate it as a food. Plastic should never contact food.
“Cancer and Chemicals In Our Daily Life (BPA, Dioxin).” Femtalks Blog. Retrieved 20 July 2009 <http://www.femtalks.com/health-diet/bpa-cancer-chemical-dioxin-baby/>.
This site talks about how Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic chemical that is mostly used in canned foods and beverage containers. BPA causes adverse health effect to babies during mothers’ pregnancy.
“ETOX 80E – HORMONE DISRUPTORS.” UC Santa Cruz – ITS – Instructional Computing. Retrieved 21 July 2009 <http://ic.ucsc.edu/~flegal/etox80e/SpecTopics/hormone.html#Alligators>.
This article focuses on hormone disruptors caused by synthetic chemicals such as DDT in pesticides, BPA, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) a by-product of industrial processes and incineration. Some reproductive effects in offspring were increasing miscarriages, malformed or abnormal sperm, and undescend testicles at birth.
“The Disappearing Male – Doc Zone | CBC-TV.” CBC.ca – Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Retrieved 21 July 2009 <http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/2008/disappearingmale/>.
This article has a 43-minute documentary video on disappering males because of toxic threats to the reproductive system. In the video, a number of health problems linked to toxic chemicals used for plastics can cause genital deformities and increase risk of neurological damage in the brain.
“The Disappearing Male: Fact Sheet – Doc Zone | CBC-TV.” CBC.ca – Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Retrieved 21 July 2009 <http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/doczone/2008/disappearingmale/infertility.html>.
A short article that gives facts and percentages of penis abnormalities, sperm count average in North America, declining sperm quality, and increasing testicular cancer.
“Our Stolen Future: Changes in sex ratio.” Our Stolen Future: Home. Retrieved 22 July 2009 <http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/reproduction/sexratio/sexratio.htm>.
This article discusses about the apparent decline in male births in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, and the Netherlands because of industrial accidents, occupational exposures, and air pollutions from incinerators. Dioxin exposures in fathers decrease the likelihood of having sons.
“Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Nail Products and Salons.” Campaign for Safe Cosmetics : Index. Retrieved 23 July 2009 <http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=224>.
It talks about how some nail polish manufacturers have removed the “toxic trio” of ingredients: dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene. Some more toxic chemical names used in nail care products: an organic solvents like xylene, methyl ethyl ketone and acetone and acrylic polymers like methyl methylacrylate and ethyl methylacrylate.
“Cosmetic Ingredients Avoid these Controversial Tongue Twisters!” Natural Skin Care… for Radiant, Healthy Skin. Retrieved 23 July 2009 <http://www.naturalskincaresecrets.com/cosmetic-ingredients-avoid.html>.
The article talks about how 13 different types of synthetic ingredients to stay away from and explains why. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) is owned by the skin care industry, which means they get to determine which ingredients are safe.
GENERAL INTEREST
Dobrzyński, M., et al. “Effects of Dioxins in Environmental Pollution on Development of Tooth Disorders.” Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 18.3 (May 2009): 319-323. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=43009341&site=ehost-live>.
It says that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like dioxins are released through combustion from industries. Dioxin causes abnormalities in dentition and can take nine years to leave the body. Dioxin accumulated in humans is 90% through ingestion of animal fat. The earlier the exposure takes place in life, the greater the effect of damage is done by dioxin.
Haigh, Christen, and Jennifer Southall.. “Endocrine Society released scientific, position statements on endocrine-disrupting chemicals.” Endocrine Today 7.9 (10 July 2009): 15-15. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=43021313&site=ehost-live>.
This paper talks about endocrine-disrupting chemicals in pesticides, food, plastic bottles, lipsticks and consumer products which have harmful side effects to the reproduction and thyroid system. 90% of Americans have been exposed to Bisphenol A, which is used in plastic baby bottles and metal cans.
“The Case Against Juice.” Good Housekeeping 248.1 (Jan. 2009): 36-36. Academic Search Complete. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=a9h&AN=36091181&site=ehost-live>.
The article mentions that heavily overweight fathers may need to lose weight if they plan on having a baby because heavier men produce less sperm and have more sperm abnormalities. SIDE NOTE: Toxic chemicals like to store up in fat.
Glausiusz, Josie. “Is Pollution Weeding Out Male Babies?.” Discover 29.1 (Jan. 2008): 36-37. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/
login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=28044856&site=ehost-live>.
This article is a good source that talks about Japan and U.S. are declining in male babies caused by estrogen-mimicking chemicals. It’s a good source to find the figures in 2008, the U.S. has an overall drop of 17 males per 10,000. From 1972 to 1999, the fetal deaths of males rose from half to nearly two-thirds. The article suspects the estrogen-mimicking chemical exposures to arsenic, mercury, pesticides, solvents, plastics, phthalates, and PCBs.
BUSINESS
“New ban on plastic chemical.” Consumer Reports 74.3 (Mar. 2009): 15-15. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct
=true&db=bth&AN=36562396&site=ehost-live>.
This article discusses about phthalates in plastic and their concerns. It also says that 47 medications have been detected in containing phthalates and it says it’s dangerous to children.
Franco, Joanna. “Pittsburgh, California Cities Top Lists of Most Polluted U.S. Cities.” Octane Week 23.18 (05 May 2008): 10-10. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct
=true&db=bth&AN=31973671&site=ehost-live>.
Pittsburgh, Los Angeles/Long Beach/Riverside, CA, and Fresno/Madera, CA are the top 3 U.S. Cities for most polluted by Short-Term Particle Pollution. For Year-Round, they are Los Angeles/Long Beach/Riverside, CA, Pittsburph, and Bakersfield, CA.
“Rochester study raises new questions about controversial plastics chemical.” Chemical Business 23.2 (Feb. 2009): 78-79. Business Source Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=37013462&site=ehost-live>.
This article talks about how BPA remains in the body in high levels even after people have fasted for 24 hours. The article also says that the U.S. FDA agreed to reconsider the health risks of BPA and other chemicals used in bottles, toys, and many other consumer products.
PEER REVIEWED
Trasande, Leonardo, et al. “Environment and Obesity in the National Children’s Study.” Environmental Health Perspectives 117.2 (Feb. 2009): 159-166. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=36804061&site=ehost-live>.
This is a great article that talks about how BPA is as a polycarbonate resin in the coating of foods and beverages and how it is used endocrine disruptors in an abbreviate form EDs. It also mentions about phthalates and its links to health problems.
Hernández-Díaz,, Sonia, et al. “Medications as a Potential Source of Exposure to Phthalates in the U.S. Population.” Environmental Health Perspectives 117.2 (Feb. 2009): 185-189. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=36802346&site=ehost-live>.
This article directly talks about phthalates whose most common way of getting exposure is through medication. Phthalates, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (phthalic acid) are groups of synthetic chemicals used in commercial applications and goods. It talks a lot about all the different usage of phthalates and how it reacts in the body, especially DBP causing adverse developmental and reproductive problems
Lambrot, Romain, et al. “Phthalates Impair Germ Cell Development in the Human Fetal Testis in Vitro without Change in Testosterone Production.” Environmental Health Perspectives 117.1 (Jan. 2009): 32-37. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Alfred R. Neumann, Houston, Tx. 23 July 2009 <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct =true&db=a9h&AN=36161628&site=ehost-live>.
This article talks about how phthalates can alter the development of the reproduction system in human fetus and how some studies suggesting increases in testicular cancer, cryptorchidlism and hypospadias. Also, some of the chemical names discussed are DEHP and MEHP and some some graphic pictures and bar charts based on findings are proviede.
Bruggers, James “The toxic chemical that won’t go away;
‘Carbon tet’ degrades very slowly, is likely to hang in air for 50 years.” USA Today, 20 May 2009, sec. NEWS:1A.
It talks about how people can still be exposed to PCBs, banned in 1970s, through bioaccumulation. Also, lead can be absorbed through drinking water from soil and old lead pipes. PCB and lead are persistent chemicals that don’t break down easily.
“Government of Canada Acts to Make Soft Vinyl Toys, Child-Care Articles Safer.” The New York Times, 9 June 2009, sec. 1:4.
The article talks about how Canada is about to regulate six phthalates from being used in children’s toys. Phthalates are used in vinyl plastic, known as PVC. If children suck on any type of vinyl plastics such as straws, drinking spouts, pacifiers, and mouthpieces, phthalates can be absorbed, causing health problems.
Kristof, Nicholas, D. “Chemicals And Our Health.” The New York Times,
16 July, 2009 sec. A:27.
This article talks about how phthalates are used in plastic bottles, cosmetics, toys, and personal care products. Phthalates cause sexual deformities in babies, obesity and diabetes. The article recommends pregnant women to be cautious. Also, there are no disclosures of phthalates when being used in products.
Layton, Lyndsey. “Strategy Being Devised To Protect Use of BPA;
Groups Hope to Block Ban of Chemical.” The Washington Post. 31 May 2009, sec. A:A02.
This article talks about manufacturers who are trying to divert public attention off the usage of BPA in linings of cans and lids. It also talks about some of the fear and manipulation tactics that these plastic industries are using to get their way. Canada banned the use of BPA in baby bottles in 2008. FDA will not ban BPA because of two studies funded by chemical industry saying it is safe.
Szabo, Liz. “Aging Well Starts in Womb; Mother’s Choices have Life-long Impacts.” USA Today. 1 July, 2009 sec. LIFE: 1D.
The article says that if a mother decides to live healthy, then her unborn baby can avoid major health problem 50 years from now. “Hormone disrupting” chemicals cause epigenetic changes to infants and fetal life of babies. Common plastics and pesticides contain hormone disrupting chemicals.
Charts Obtained from Statistical Abstract of the U.S.
“Table 985. Pharmaceutical Preparations — Value of Shipments.” Census Bureau Home Page. 06 Aug. 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/manufactures.html>.
“Table 976 – Value Of Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and New Orders by Industry.” Census Bureau Home Page. 06 Aug. 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/manufactures.html>.
Charts Obtained from LexisNexis Statistical database
Fifty Largest Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Hazardous Waste Generators In The U.S., 2001 , Issued By: Environmental Protection Agency , Publication Date: July, 2003
Fifty Largest Resource Conservation And Recovery Act Hazardous Waste Generators In The U.S., 2005, Issued By: Environmental Protection Agency, Publication Date: December, 2006
Charts Obtained from Websites:
Fifty Largest Resource Conservation And Recovery Act Hazardous Waste Generators In The U.S., 2007, Issued By: Environmental Protection Agency, Publication Date: 2008. “National Analysis.” <www.epa.gov/waste/inforesources/ data/br07/national07.pdf>
Posted in Health
Appendix D
Survey Question 1
Question 1: What is your gender?
Appendix E
Survey Question 2
Question 2: What age range are you in?
Appendix F
Survey Question 3
Question 3: What type of plate is your food mostly microwave and served on?
Appendix G
Survey Questions 4 and 5
Question 4: How often do you buy soups, beans, infant formula, and other food cans a week?
Question 5: What type of cup/bottles do you mostly drink from at home?
Appendix H
Survey Question 6
Question 6: What type of Soft drinks do u drink mostly from?
Appendix I
Survey Question 7
Question 7: Manufacturing companies care about the health of its consumers who use the products.
NOTE: Almost of the people don’t have any feeling towards manufacturing companies.
Appendix J
Survey Question 8
Question 8: How often do you use the following products?
|
|
All the time |
Often |
Sometimes |
Rarely |
Never |
|
nail polish/ treatment product |
5% |
14% |
23% |
11% |
48% |
|
blush/ facial powder |
23% |
15% |
5% |
12% |
45% |
|
mascara/ eye liner |
27% |
17% |
2% |
6% |
48% |
|
perfume/ cologne |
18% |
27% |
27% |
18% |
9% |
|
hand cream/ moisturizer |
36% |
20% |
8% |
21% |
15% |
|
soap/shampoo |
88% |
11% |
2% |
0% |
0% |
Visual Chart
Appendix K
Survey Question 9
Question 9: What deodorant products do you mostly use?
7 other brands (Almay, Burt, Nivea,
Gillette, Fa, Armarni, and Lady speed stick) = 8%
* Arrid and Degree deodorants label with Ultra Clear only
Appendix L
Survey Question 10
Question 10: If you were aware of a product that could be harmful to the reproductive system, would you stop using it?
Appendix M
U.S. Value of Plastic and Rubber’ Shipments in 2000-2007
Appendix N
U.S. Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Preparations –
Value of Shipments
Appendix O
Largest City Hazardous Waste Generators in U.S.
Tons generated in millions
|
|
All the time |
Often |
Sometimes |
Rarely |
Never |
|
nail polish/ treatment product |
5% |
14% |
23% |
11% |
48% |
|
blush/ facial powder |
23% |
15% |
5% |
12% |
45% |
|
mascara/ eye liner |
27% |
17% |
2% |
6% |
48% |
|
perfume/ cologne |
18% |
27% |
27% |
18% |
9% |
|
hand cream/ moisturizer |
36% |
20% |
8% |
21% |
15% |
|
soap/shampoo |
88% |
11% |
2% |
0% |
0% |
Posted in Health
Plastic usage survey results
Rate of Response 66/71 = 93%
1. What is your gender? Male 29 -44% Female 37-56%
2. What age range are you in? 18 or younger 19-25 14 -21% 30 -45%
26-30 31-40 41-55 56 or older
11-17% 6-9% 4 -6% 1 – 2%
3. What type of plate is your food mostly microwave and served on?
Plastic (Styrofoam) paper glass
10 -15% 12 – 18% 34 -52%
4. How often do you buy soups, beans, infant formula, and other food cans a week?
7 or more 6-4 3-1 none
1 -2% 4 -6% 37- 56% 24 -36%
5. What type of cup/bottles do you mostly drink from at home?
Plastic 32-48% Metal 0 – 0% Glass 34-52%
6. What type of Soft drinks do u drink mostly from?
Can 29-44% plastic 24- 36% none 13 -20%
7. Manufacturing companies care about the health of its consumers who use the products.
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
4 -6% 7 -11% 27 – 41% 20 -30% 8-12%
8. How often do you use the following products?
nail polish/treatment: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 3- 5% 9 - 14% 15- 23% 7- 11% 32- 48%
perfume/cologne: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 12 – 18% 18 – 27% 18 – 27% 12- 18% 6 – 9%
hand cream/moisturizer: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 24 – 36% 13 – 20% 5 – 8% 14- 21% 10- 15%
mascara/ eye liner: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 18 -27% 11 -17% 1 – 2% 4 – 6% 32-48%
blush/ facial powder: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 15-23% 10 – 15% 3 - 5% 8- 12% 30- 45%
soap/shampoo: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
- 58- 88% 7- 11% 1 -2% 0 -0% 0 – 0%
9. What deodorant products do you mostly use?
Arrid Dove Rexona Secret -Sheer Dry Ultra Clear ArmarniCode Almay 3 – 5% 15- 23% 1 -2% 8 -12% 2 -3% 1-2% 1-2%
Suave old Spice Fa Axe Right guard Tom Degree Gillette Nivea Burt
1 – 2% 7 -11% 1 -2% 5 -8% 3 – 5% 2 -3% 6-9% 1 -2% 1 -2% 1 -2%
Lady speed stick None
1 -2% 6 -9%
10. If you were aware of a product that could be harmful to the reproductive system, would you stop using it?
Yes No
65 – 98% 1 -2%
To see analysis of Plastic usage survey, see Appendix C
To see Color Charts and Graphs of the results, see Appendix D-O
Posted in Health
Plastic usage survey
Synthetic chemicals used in the manufacturing process of plastic affect the development of male reproductive system. The focus of the issue is on what U.S. cities expose us to the most chemicals. What information should be brought to our attention? This survey is to get your opinions of how important it is to be aware of what dangerous synthetic chemicals we are exposed to from plastic.
1. What is your gender? Male Female
2. What age range are you in? 18 or younger 19-25 26-30 31-40 41-55 56 or older
3. What type of plate is your food mostly microwave and served on?
Plastic (Styrofoam) paper glass
4. How often do you buy soups, beans, infant formula, and other food cans a week?
7 or more 6-4 3-1 none
5. What type of cup/bottles do you mostly drink from at home?
Plastic Metal Glass
6. What type of Soft drinks do you drink mostly from?
Can Plastic none
7. Manufacturing companies care about the health of its consumers who use the products.
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
8. How often do you use the following products?
nail polish/treatment: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
perfume/cologne: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
hand cream/moisturizer: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
mascara/ eye liner: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
blush/ facial powder: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
soap/shampoo: All the time Often sometimes Rarely Never
9. What deodorant products do you mostly use?
Arrid Dove Secret Sheer Dry Ultra Clear
Name of brand:
10. If you were aware of a product that could be harmful to the reproductive system, would you stop using it?
Yes No
Please return completed survey to Jeffry Tupa before 7/25/09
Thank you for your assistance.
Posted in Health
Plastic usage Survey Analysis
Purpose: To determine how much exposure synthetic chemicals have on people through daily activity such as to what types of personal care products are used and how often.
Survey Method: Multiple choice questions expect one with an open-ended response. The survey was made available online and passed hand to hand. Ten questions were posed. The survey was conducted during July 22 – 25, 2009.
Research Design: Cross-sectional, the survey was administered once.
Rate of Response: A 93% rate was obtained with 71 surveys online and handed out and 66 returned. Respondents were mainly people from my dad’s coworkers, friends, and friends’ friends.
Results: Most of respondents’ food was microwave and served on glass plates, with a total of 52% while 18% on paper plates and 15% on plastic. 56% of respondents bought one to three cans of soups, beans, infant formulas, and other food cans a week while only 8% bought four or more cans a week and 36% bought none. 52% said they drank out of glass cups/bottles at home, 48% said they drank out of plastic ones. Most of the respondents drank canned soft drinks a total of 44% while 36% drank from plastic bottles and 20% drank no soft drinks. 42% of respondents disagreed that manufacturing companies cared about the health of its consumers who used its products while 41% remained neutral and 17% agreed. 88% responded that they used soap/shampoo all the time and 11% often. 45% said they never used blush/facial powder while 23% used all the time and 15% often. 48% never used mascara/eyeliner while 27% used all the time and 17% often. 48% never used nail polish/treatment product while 23% used sometimes and 14% often. Now with hand cream/moisturizer, 36% said all the time, 20% often, 8% sometimes, 21% rarely, and 15% never. Also, with perfume/cologne, 18% used all the time, 27% often, 27% sometimes, 18% rarely, and 9% never. The mostly used deodorant brand was Dove, with a total of 23%, secret 12%, and Old Spice 11%. 98% said that if they were aware of a product that could be harmful to the reproductive system, they would stop using it.
Conclusions: Most of the people said that they would stop using a product that contained a toxic synthetic chemical but did not even know that they were exposed to toxic chemicals throughout everyday activities, and that is why awareness and information should be brought to our attention, so that American consumers can make a good choice over the type of products they want to use with extra cautions and warning labels to indicate not only the ingredients but also what type of chemicals are used to make the plastic.
Posted in Health
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