Environmental Threats to Healthy AgingProtecting Health through Personal Actions and

through Policy Change

Sarah Uhl, Clean Water ActionCoordinator of the Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut

The Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut

The Coalition is a growing alliance of over 50 organizations— health, labor, faith, scientific, environmental, and community groups.

Together we are working to prevent harm to human health and the environment from toxic chemicals.

CSHC continued• Science has Sounded the

Alarm

– Over 180 diseases and disorders linked to toxic chemicals, including many “diseases of the aging”

– Newborn’s cord blood contains on average 200 synthetic chemicals

– Aging begins at conception

The Environment

• Exposure to environmental chemicals and infectious materials

• Physical activity• Social interactions• Nutrition• Education• Intellectual stimulation• Socioeconomic circumstances• Stress

Time to Modernize our Safety Standards

• Our federal law is outdated • U.S. is falling behind other countries• Safer alternatives approach

Chemicals of Concern

PesticidesMercury

DioxinPCBs

Flame RetardantsBisphenol-A

PhthalatesPerflurocarbons

(etc.)(routes of exposure)

• Neorodegenerative disorders– Alzheimer’s (air pollution, solvents, heavy metals, and

other oxidative-stressors)– Parkinson’s (pesticides, oxidative-stressors)

• The “Western disease cluster”– Diabetes (PCBs, pesticides, endocrine disruptors)– Cardiovascular disease (endocrine disruptors, air pollution)– Metabolic syndrome (endocrine disruptors, PCBs and

other persistent organic pollutants)– Obesity (obesogens, endocrine disruptors, mutagens)

Toxins linked to diseases of the aging

Some Good News: Safer Chemicals

• Green chemistry takes human and environmental health into consideration when designing new molecules

• Leading companies are findinginnovative new approaches andshifting to safer alternatives

Our Campaign Goals

• Immediate action on the worst chemicals• Require basic information for all chemicals• Protect the most vulnerable• Use the best science and methods• Hold industry responsible for demonstrating

chemical safety• Ensure environmental justice• Promote safer alternatives• Ensure the right to know

Out Strategies

• Municipal Resolutions• State Policies

– Executive Orders– Legislation

• Corporate Policies• And ultimately…federal policies and

international agreements

2009 Chemical Policy Legislation

• Phase out Bisphenol A from food and beverage containers (HB 6572)--passed!

•Phase out Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers from Consumer Products (SB 919) –did not pass

•Require Green Cleaning in Schools (HB 6496) --passed!

2010 Chemical Policy Legislation

• Establish Chemical Innovations Institute (HB 5126) --passed!

• Enable our state agencies to phase out the worst-of-the-worst chemicals from children’s products (HB 5130) ) –did not pass

• Phase out cadmium from children’s jewelry (HB 5314) --passed!

What is happening at the federal level?

The Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Connecticut is part of a new national campaign to reform federal chemical policy!

(help by sending postcards to your members of Congress)

Recent Fun Tactics

Tactics Continued

Tactics Continued

Blood Tests Show High Toxin Levels

Doctors From Across Country Reveal High Levels Of ToxinsPOSTED: 3:23 pm EDT October 8, 2009

Study finds toxic chemicals in health-care workers

Posted: 8 October 2009

MERIDEN — A study released Thursday shows that, of 20 doctors and nurses tested across the nation, all of them have toxic chemicals in their bodies. Advocates say the results show there’s a need for more stringent regulation of chemicals found in everyday products...

Tactics Continued

Tactics Continued

How are People Getting Involved?• Inviting speakers to tea talks, luncheons, and forums• Sharing information with others in their community • Submitting letters to the editor• Writing and calling their legislators• Attending events• Providing testimony at public hearings• Giving Presentations• Speaking to the media • Telling their stories• Recruiting others to get involved

Safe products, made safelySafe products, made safely

Program ContactProgram ContactSarah UhlSarah Uhl

860-232-6232860-232-6232