Fw: Well researched article with practical resources for protecting your family

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----- Original Message ----- From: Hotz Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002 12:13 PM ahotz@... Subject: Well researched article with practical resources for protecting your family For full text and graphics visit:http://ens-news.com/ens/feb2002/2002L-02-22g.htmlEach day, thousands of toxic substances compromise our health and tensof thousands of people become ill or die every year from a whole host ofenvironmental illnesses, many of which may never be diagnosed properlyby a doctor. While these people suffer, committees meet, studies areconducted, rules are debated, and drugs are prescribed.(Political attributions have been deleted and the following statement addedto the original material above, that was written by Jackie Alan Giuliano,Ph.D.)Added by A. Hotz: To protect our families we need to realize the extentof uncertainty regarding our exposures to everyday toxic chemicals. It isnecessary to realize that only a handful of the chemicals currentlyavailablein a wide variety of products, have been adequately tested for chronicexposures and human health. The few chemicals that are tested are foracute,immediate effects -- not chronic, long term health effects.This system leaves us with over 80,000 chemicals currently on the marketthat have permeated every corner of our lives that have created enormousuncertainty. Part of the problem is that doctors are not trainedto recognize and manage toxin induced illnesses, so most people arecompletely unaware of how their exposures may be contributing to amyriad of symptoms and health problems. This continues the cycle ofexposure and ignorance. When Risk Assessments are conducted, theyare done with inadequate information because of numerous data gapsfor most chemicals. It takes decades for unintended consequences tobe studies -- and meanwhile our exposures continue.