Participants holding forum to present findings, reflect on results, and announce new action
What do an electrician, a new mom, and a Republican legislator all have in common? They are three distinctly different people going about their everyday lives in Maine. Yet all three were found to have detectable levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in their bodies – some at levels far exceeding national averages.
Pollution is usually studied in rivers, air, or land – rarely in people. But earlier this year twenty five Maine people provided urine samples to be tested for toxic chemicals called phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates). The results are now available in a new report to be released Tuesday in Augusta.
Participants and researchers will host a roundtable forum at the State House on March 18th to present the report, reflect on the findings, and offer a roadmap for action.
“No child should be exposed to chemicals that cause learning disabilities, reproductive problems, obesity, and asthma,” says Emma Halas O’Connor, Coordinator for the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine. “This report brings together the medical science on phthalates, the sources of exposure in our homes, and the human stories behind this pervasive and dangerous chemical. It also offers a sensible path forward for manufacturers and policymakers.”
WHAT: Roundtable forum, participant testimonials, policy and medical perspectives, Q&A
WHEN: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 1:30 PM
WHERE: Welcome Center, State House, Augusta
WHAT ELSE: Full report, enlarged graphics, examples of common household products that are likely to contain phthalates
The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine is a coalition of over 50 public health, medical, parent, community, women’s, worker, environmental, and public interest organizations dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by replacing unnecessary dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives. www.cleanandhealthyme.org
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