The number of children with serious diseases has increased significantly over the past 50 years. An extensive array of research has found one of the primary causes is exposure to synthetic chemicals.
Source: WBUR , By Lisa Mullins and Lynn Jolicoeur
Now, a consortium of 25 scientists and legal experts has released a paper calling for sweeping changes to federal law regarding chemicals, in order to protect children’s health.
The report, published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, says unregulated chemicals found in everything from food to mattresses have led to a growing health crisis among children. And they want the government to fundamentally restructure the law so chemicals are rigorously tested for toxicity before they reach the market.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Philip Landrigan, a pediatrician, epidemiologist and director of the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College. He spoke with WBUR’s All Things Considered host Lisa Mullins.