LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) said today that the results of tests for toxic chemicals performed on him and his 12-year-old son as part of a seven-state project show the need for more awareness of the prevalence of toxins in everyday products and the need for stronger laws to protect people from the long-term health hazards they pose.
"It is very disturbing that my son and I – and most likely every other typical Michigan resident – are walking around with toxic chemicals in our bodies, just from leading our regular lives," Brown said. "The reality is that chemicals in products like baby bottles, toys with lead paint and vinyl shower curtains can become pollution in people. We need to become more aware of that – and we need to fight to ensure the substances that companies put into the products they sell do not put human health and safety at risk. This project really brought home the chemical burden we are all carrying, and the toxic legacy we are creating for our children."
Brown and his son Bryan, 12, were among five Michigan residents participating in an innovative seven-state project intended to show the degree to which toxic chemicals from everyday life have found their way into the bodies of average Americans. Toxins were found in all 35 participants in the seven states. The results of the project were announced at a press conference at the Capitol today that Brown attended along with Genevieve Howe of the Ecology Center and Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health.
Although no results on Brown or his son raised alarm, two findings were unusual and point to two major concerns: First, that chemicals can last for decades in the body, and second, that industrial chemicals are so ubiquitous that we often cannot even identify the source of our exposure.
Bryan Brown, an honor student in the seventh grade at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Jr. High in Pigeon, said he was proud to participate in the project. Science is one of his favorite subjects.
"I feel lucky that I was able to participate in an important scientific project like this," Bryan said. "Most kids my age don't get to do something that could help so many people."
Results and further explanations of the project are available at the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health Web site, www.mnceh.org/campaigns.biomonitoring.php. The full national report is available at www.isitinus.org.
"We need to open up the flow of information about these toxins and do a much better job of testing and regulating these chemicals so we can protect our health and safety," said Brown, who worked as a school social worker and principal of the Huron Learning Center before taking office in January. "As someone who has worked with students with developmental disabilities for two decades, I am worried about chemicals causing neurological problems in addition to asthma, cancer and other diseases. I support fast action on legislation to fight these toxic threats, including outright bans on the worst chemicals. We must act quickly to make sure that the law catches up to science for the sake of our health and safety."