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Polycarbonate plastic linked to prostate cancer

Compiled by Ecology Center Environmental Health staff
February/March Issue, 2005

An estrogen-like chemical commonly used to make plastic food containers has beenshown to encourage the growth of certain prostate cancer cells, potentially affecting 1 in 4 men being treated for prostate cancer.

According to a study published in the Jan. 1, 2005, issue of Cancer Research, one class of prostate cancer cells proved to be vulnerable to exposure to BPA (bisphenol A), an industrial chemical and non-steroidal environmental estrogen used in the manufacture of food cans, milk container linings, food storage containers, and water supply pipes. About 2.5 billion pounds of the chemical are produced each year.

In particular, the study showed that some prostate cancer cells could proliferate in response to BPA. Scientists estimate that this finding could affect up to 25% of allprostate cancer patients.

In the U.S. alone this year, almost 220,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The disease is the second most common type of cancer found in American men, and approximately 29,000 men will die from prostate cancer this year.

The Ecology Center has been campaigning for years to convince manufacturers to redesign consumer products to avoid the use of polycarbonate plastic (withbisphenol A) in food containers.

From a press release by the American Association for Cancer Research, Jan. 4, 2005.

 

EPA takes pest-killer diazinon off the shelves

As of Jan. 1, 2005, consumers can no longer buy diazinon,a popular and highly effective killerof a variety of yard pests such as ants and grub worms. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency phased out residential use of the chemical, which can damage the nervous system, after determining that it poses a human health risk, especially to children.

The ban is part of a Clinton-era program to reduce the use of toxic pesticides, particularly a class of compounds called organophosphates. Diazinon can still be used on some crops for commercial use.

Diazinon is a powerful neurotoxin and is poisonous to fish, birds, and other wildlife. It is one of the most commonly found pesticides contaminating air, rain, and water. An ingredient in hundreds of home and garden products, about 13 million pounds of diazinon have been used yearly in the U.S., 80% for residential uses.

Tens of thousands of house-holds could still be storing diazinon products in their basements and garages.

From a report in the Los Angeles Times, Jan. 1, 2005.

 

EPA upholds phase-out of pesticide Dursban

The EPA told Dow Chemical Co. in early January that it may no longer sell a controversial pesticide used to protect new homes from termites, ending speculation thatthe administration might extend apreviously negotiated phaseout deadline.

At the end of December, senior agency officials said they were reviewing new information that Dow had supplied which suggested that chlorphyrifos, sold under the trade name Dursban, meets federal exposure standards when used in home building.

Some recent studies have linked Dursban to neurological and developmental damage in animals and young children, but Dow officials say these experiments are flawed. The company contends that children are protected from exposure to the pesticide by the layers of plastic and concrete that cover the ground beneath a new home.

Production will stop pending further discussion on whether continued use represents an “acceptable risk.”

From reports in Beyond PesticidesDaily News (updated on Jan. 3, 2005) and The Washington Post.

 

Compiled by Environmental Health staff

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