Page 103 - ECOlogic Book

Describing a 1994 conference sponsored by the National Institute of Health,
Durnil shared his concern: “We heard about increasing cancers and
malformations of the penis and testes. We heard that women exposed to
chlorinated organic substances had sons with testicular abnormalities and
smaller penises that boys of mothers not exposed. We heard that testicular
cancer has increased 50% in the past twenty years. 116

Based on these studies and other information, the International Joint
Commission (IJC) has recommended to both governments (U.S. and
Canada) the sunsetting of organochlorines. 117

Both governments have declined to take action at this time, citing “a lack of
scientific certainty.”

Who wants to think about these things? Not me. Not you, most likely. Not
our government officials, not industrial leaders, not their lobbyists. Not even
the IJC. Yet they had to, when the weight of evidence cascaded before their
eyes.

Defending the IJC’s recommendations, Durnil says: Critics often attempt to
find flaws with individual studies in order to discredit findings and
conclusions about persistent toxic substances. While limitations to study
design may exist, this does not necessarily invalidate the findings and
conclusions when considered in a weight-of-evidence context.” 118

The good news is that a month after the news/Free Press article appeared,
(the one that put me to sleep), a panel of Michigan scientists concluded that
“Insufficient evidence does not prove lack of potential for harm.”
(precautionary principle)

Durnil describes some of the changes in thinking that have taken place: “. . .
We are now prepared to talk about persistent toxic substances as distinct
from toxic substances. We are no longer hung up on or worry about
definitions of such words as ecosystem, virtual and zero. We are no longer

116 Op. Cit., Durnil, P. 81.

117 Sunsettling: A comprehensive process to restrict, phase out, and eventually ban the manufacture,
generation, use, transport, storage, discharge, and disposal of a persistent toxic substance.

118 Op. Cit., Dr=urnil., P. 89.

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