Page 102 - ECOlogic Book

Since reading Durnil’s book, I’ve had to confront my own denial. As much as
I’d like to just go to sleep again, believing that the problems are being taken
care of, I have to force myself to see that though many of the short-term
problems may be well on the way to resolution, the long-term ones may be
worse than we thought.

Durnil, who was the U. S. Chairperson of the International Joint Commission
(IJC) during the Bush I administration, talks about it like this: “Our thinking
has been reorientated from considering cancer as the most serious end
point, to also considering the seriousness of reproduction and embryo
development. 113

Here’s what that “reorientation” means: In addition to the well-known
cancer outcomes, scientists now understand that many of the compounds
commonly combined with chlorine in manufacturing processes act as
synthetic hormone disruptors: “A large number of manufactured chemicals
that have been released into the environment have the potential to disrupt
the endocrine systems of humans.” 114 Chlorines used in pulp bleaching, in
the production of vinyl, PVC, and other plastics, and in municipal wastewater
effluent treatment are the biggest problem, Durnil says, because they mimic
hormones.

In an August 6, 1993 National Wildlife Federation report this difficulty is
highlighted: “. . . ‘hormone copycats’ threaten all living thighs in the Great
Lakes environment, including people. The increased risk of cancer . . . is
generally recognized. But there is increasing evidence and scientific concern
that people face other insidious threats from exposure to these pollutants. . .
and these risks are not widely recognized our appreciated by the public.”

“Researchers have suggested that hormone-like substances may result in
numerous detrimental effects in humans including (in addition to prostate
enlargement and breast cancer) immune system suppression, thyroid
dysfunction, decreased fertility, developmental and behavioral abnormalities,
and learning deficiencies . . .” 115 Durnil himself is convinced that the
increased incidence of learning disabilities is a direct result of these
hormone-like chemicals.

113 Op. Cit., Durnil, P. 88.

114 Op. Cit., Durnil, P. 68.

115 Op. Cit. Durnil, P. 88.

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