1. 1 Chemicals, Environmental Justice & AAPI Health Health Justice Network Quarterly Meeting May 10, 2010

2. Chemicals Are All Around Us… The number of chemicals registered for commercial use now stands at 80,000- a 30% increase since 1979 In 2007, over 54 million pounds of chemicals were released into the environment in California. (TRI data) PSR-LA 2009 2

3. Pathways of Exposure PSR-LA 2009 3 In the HomeResidues on Food

4. Pathways of Exposure PSR-LA 2009 4 Personal Care Products

5. Pathways of Exposure In the Workplace PSR-LA 2009 5 One study found that women plastics workers more frequently sought treatment for infertility than the general population. (Center for American Progress)

6. Pathways of Exposure Outdoor Urban Pathways PSR-LA 2009 6

7. 7 Environmental Justice is the right to a decent, safe quality of life for people of all races, incomes and cultures in the environments where we live, work, play, learn and pray. Asian Pacific Environmental Network www.apen4ej.org

8. Chemical exposures occur in utero Testing of 10 newborn umbilical cords detected a total of 287 industrial chemicals- including pesticides, consumer products chemicals and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage. (Environmental Working Group) PSR-LA 2009 8

9. Health Impacts of Chemical Exposure Birth defects Low Birth Weight Reproductive disorders: fertility, miscarriage, endometriosis, premature menopause Endocrine disruption Learning disabilities Cancer & Breast Cancer Asthma Autism PSR-LA 2009 9

10. Bisphenol-A (BPA) BPA is a plasticizer (or softening agent) and ranks among the highest-volume chemicals worldwide. Exposure to BPA comes from ingesting foods or fluids in containers or packages made from BPA. Workers with manufacturing jobs involving BPA to higher exposures levels.

11. Products with BPA 11

12. 12

13. Health impacts of BPA Prostate and breast cancer Reproductive Health Problems: Miscarriages Obesity PSR-LA 2009

14. 14

15. Breast Cancer Leading site for cancer incidence and mortality for AAPIs Rates among U.S.-born Chinese and Filipino women under age 55 were even higher than those among whites, which has been rapidly increasing over time. Native Hawaiians have 2.3 times the rate of BC as non- Hispanic whites and 2.4 more likely to have late stage diagnosis BC is being diagnosed in younger and younger women 15

16. 16

17. We can’t shop our way out of this problem!! Limits to personal responsibility!

18. Chemicals PSR-LA 2009 18 The majority of synthetic chemicals in use have never been tested for their effects on human health.

19. Cracks in the Regulatory Process PSR-LA 2009 19 Requires regulators to show that toxins pose unreasonable risks before taking action Discounts and ignores low-level exposures and combinations over a long period of time

20. What does good Chemical policy look like? Take Action to Protect Communities and Workers Require Safer Substitutes and Solutions Phase-out Persistent, Bioaccumulative, or Highly Toxic Chemicals Give the Public and Workers the Full Right-To-Know Act on Early Warnings Require Comprehensive Safety Data for All Chemicals PSR-LA 2009 20

21. Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals Use fewer products Always read the label- check the ingredients Visit www.cosmeticsdatabase.com www.womenshealthandenviro nment.org Breastfeed Buy BPA-free bottles and sippy cups Wash/scrub all fruits and vegetables to reduce pesticide levels Avoid certain types of plastics for food (avoid #s 3, 6, and 7) PSR-LA 2009 21

22. 22

23. Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals Avoid heating food in plastic containers Avoid anti-bacterial products Use less toxic cleaners (vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide) Use safer pest control practices (IPM) Have toddlers, painted surfaces and dust tested for lead if you live in an apartment/house built before 1978 If you work around chemicals, wash exposed skin and change out of your work clothes before returning to your home. Clean your work clothes separately. PSR-LA 2009

24. Ways to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals Get involved with statewide efforts CA SB 797 BPA Bill CA Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative PSR-LA 2009 24

25. Special thanks to: 25