Op-Ed Columnist - New Alarm Bells About Chemicals and Cancer - NYTimes.com

[Guest guest]

" The cancer panel is releasing a landmark 200-page report on Thursday,

warning that our lackadaisical approach to regulation may have far-reaching

consequences for our health.

I've read an advance copy of the report, and it's an extraordinary document.

It calls on America to rethink the way we confront cancer, including much

more rigorous regulation of chemicals.

Traditionally, we reduce cancer risks through regular doctor visits,

self-examinations and screenings such as mammograms. The President's Cancer

Panel suggests other eye-opening steps as well, such as giving preference to

organic food, checking radon levels in the home and microwaving food in

glass containers rather than plastic.

In particular, the report warns about exposures to chemicals during

pregnancy, when risk of damage seems to be greatest. Noting that 300

contaminants have been detected in umbilical cord blood of newborn babies,

the study warns that: " to a disturbing extent, babies are born

'pre-polluted.' "