The chemical industry began to accelerate after World War II. Chemicals are so ubiquitous in our lives today that we are often unaware of our daily interactions with them. Their presence is often insidious, and light regulations allow companies to use them without restriction, disclosure, or consequence. The potential dangers of many of these chemicals remain unknown and will only be known if future generations are sacrificed by illness, disease or other health impairment.
The insightful documentary Our Chemical Lives exposes these dangers and calls for greater attention from regulators and the unsuspecting public. “The existing regulatory system assumes that these chemical products are safe unless proven otherwise,” said Dr. Bruce Lanphear, Professor, Department of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia. “What we ended up doing was doing massive experiments on our kids every time we brought another chemical that wasn’t adequately tested to market.”
As the film shows, the harmful side effects of chemical exposure begin in the womb and are passed directly from mother to fetus. Some of these chemicals have been shown to alter the endocrine system, causing permanent damage to many of the body’s most important structures and functions. A disturbing array of ailments can result. Hormonal imbalances can trigger puberty around age 9, areas of the brain responsible for impulse control and learning can be damaged, and the risk of certain types of cancer can be significantly increased.
How common are these hazardous chemicals? They are found in countless products we use and ingest every day, from the flame retardants used in the manufacture of our electronics to the plastic storage containers that break down their contents and release them into our food and drink.
Not only does our Chemistry for Life make a clear case for these dangers and penalize an industry that continues to ignore them, but it also provides valuable insight into how consumers can proactively protect themselves and their loved ones.
