Are Chemicals Really the Root of All Evil?

Science, not supposition, must determine industry standards

A new book entitled Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence and Survival - A Scientific Detective Story, claims that synthetic chemicals in the environment are responsible for a 50-percent decline in human sperm counts, increases in breast and prostrate cancer, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders in children, societal violence, and developmental and reproductive problems in wildlife.

The book's principal author, zoologist Theo Colborn, argues that anecdotal information - as opposed to actual scientific proof - is sufficient to convict minute background levels of chemical compounds for this list of afflictions. Specifically, Dr. Colborn suggests that some synthetic compounds mimic hormones (such as estrogen) in the body, and that these synthetic compounds are present in our bodies in sufficient quantities to cause the disorders she names.

Many respected scientists don't agree. Dr. Stephen Safe of Texas A&M, a leading expert on environmental estrogens, said (quoted in the March 31 Washington Post): "If you look at the book carefully, it's very unscientific." Dr. Larry Lipshultz, professor of urology at Baylor who co-chaired a consensus meeting of leading fertility researchers to review Dr. Colborn's information, was also quoted: "We reviewed all available data and concluded that you really cannot use these data to draw the conclusions that [Dr.] Colborn has drawn about trends in the quality of human semen." Researchers point out that people are exposed to far more natural estrogen than to synthetic estrogen. It is estimated that people eat 40 million times more plant estrogen daily than synthetic estrogen. However, it is known that accidental chemical spills and other paths of unintended overexposure can harm some species of wildlife. ARCC unions and companies believe that the contentions of Dr. Colborn and other concerned researchers must be tested scientifically. At the same time, industry should continue the long-term work of reducing emissions and ensuring the safety of its processes.

Chemical industry emissions have been cut dramatically in the last 20 years. This improvement has required tens of billions of dollars in new investment, research and development. Industry has managed this change without wrenching disruptions in employment or production. Chlorine chemistry industries have modified some processes and have significantly reduced or eliminated releases of targeted compounds with successful environmental results. Under voluntary codes of care, chlorine chemistry industries are obliged to continuously improve their performance.

Inevitably, Our Stolen Future will be used by those who want to shut down chemical plants (the same PR firm which brought us the Alar scare is promoting Our Stolen Future). These plants directly employ over a million American workers in high-wage jobs, generate $340 billion in annual sales, and provide essential products which save lives and protect the environment in countless ways.