In an article published on July 1, 2016 by news provider CNN, journalist Nadia Kounang reports on Project TENDR, a collaboration of leading scientists, health professionals, and children’s and environmental advocates calling for action “to significantly reduce exposures to chemicals and pollutants that are contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders in America’s children.” In a consensus statement published on July 1, 2016 in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives, Project TENDR participants state that “children in America today are at an unacceptably high risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders that affect the brain and nervous system” and that “the contribution of toxic chemicals to these disorders can be prevented.” The authors highlight the alarming increase in autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disabilities, and other learning and behavioral disabilities in U.S. children. As prime examples of neurodevelopmentally toxic chemicals, the authors list organophosphate pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), combustion-related air pollutants (e.g. PAHs, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter), lead, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and phthalates. Phthalates can be found, among other applications, in various personal care products, vinyl flooring, and food packaging. Project TENDR is co-directed by Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor of epidemiology and director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of California, Davis, U.S., and Maureen Swanson, director of the Healthy Children Project at the Learning Disabilities Association of America, U.S..
In her article, Kounang also refers to the 2015 scientific statement of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) on reproductive health impacts of exposure to toxic environmental chemicals (FPF reported).
Read more
Nadia Kounang (July 1, 2016). “Dangerous chemicals hiding in everyday products.” CNN
Reference
Bennett, D. et al. (2016). “Project TENDR: Targeting environmental neuro-developmental risks. The TENDR consensus statement.” Environmental Health Perspectives 124:A118-A122.
