The global environment has become heavily contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It has gradually become evident that POPs exposure at current levels of food supply contamination is a major contributor to chronic disease causation. Populations with unusually high POPs exposure are at a high priority for POPs exposure minimization educational outreach.
Monsanto Corporation began manufacturing PCBs in the 1930s. PCBs were used in a considerable number of products and applications over the course of the period of their use. Window caulking once contained PCBs. Fluorescent lighting fixtures manufactured during the PCB use era contain PCBs in their capacitors. The air inside buildings that have PCBs in the window caulking and in their fluorescent lights is contaminated with a significant quantity of PCBs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been involved in addressing air quality issues at New York City schools where indoor air PCB contamination exists.
Dr. Mark Maddaloni is an EPA scientist with expert knowledge in quantitative risk assessment. He has been involved in the effort to minimize PCB exposures in New York City schools. Dr. Maddaloni describes the implementation of remedial measures that has led to reduced PCB levels in indoor air.
In seeking to minimize the harm caused by the toxic chemical exposures of a given population, it is important to take into account total exposure to similar substances. PCBs are a subset of the POPs. Children who encountered respiratory PCB exposure in New York City schools have been exposed to POPs as a result of consuming animal fats, all of which are contaminated with POPs.
The World Health Organization (WHO) published, "Persistent Organic Pollutants: Impact on Child Health" in 2010. This policy document recommends that leaders in the health arena take action to minimize the exposure children receive to POPs. Evidence of serious harm including cancer, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease served as the basis for the WHO recommendation. Minimizing POPs exposure entails limiting consumption of animal fats. New York City school children and their parents should be provided with educational outreach that empowers dietary changes which will reduce POPs intake. Minimizing the total POPs exposures of these school children is necessary to minimize their disease risk.
Cancer Action News Network Donald L. Hassig, Producer 315.262.2456
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