Environmental Links to Cancer & Environmental Human Rights

The U.S. EPA classifies chemicals into five categories -- A through E -- to identify their carcinogenicity to humans, with A being known carcinogens, B the probable human carcinogens, C the possible, D the unknown due to lack of data, and E the noncarcinogens. "The fact that numerous chemicals with long-standing membership in Groups A through C are still allowed to be manufactured, sold, released, dumped, imported, exported, or otherwise used comes as a surprise to many knowledgeable people," states ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, an internationally recognized expert on the environmental links to cancer.

There are 60 possible carcinogens in the air we breath.

There are 66 possible carcinogens in the food we eat.

There are 40 possible carcinogens in the water we drink.

Its not just the dose that makes the poison and its not just the timing that makes the poison, its who you are that makes the poison.

The disconnect between what the scientific community know about carcinogens and what cancer patients are told is huge.

"We should become carcinogen abolitionists. These chemicals simply need to be phased out." says Steingraber. "When carcinogens are released into the environment some number of vulnerable persons are consigned to death. I don't have time to put a happy face on cancer. Cancer is a serial killer."

"An environmental human rights movement is the vision under which I labor and which may if we all work together in concert become a self fulfilling prophesy. May it be so."

Sandra Steingraber explores the links between human rights and the environment, with a focus on chemical contamination. She takes a personal and scientific look at these issues and offers insights into how we can protect our environment and ourselves.

A Bridge to Somewhere - Responding to the President's Cancer Panel Report (Part 3)

Dr. Sandra Steingraber

Authority on environmental links to health

Posted: July 7, 2010

The Panel was particularly concerned to find that the true burden of environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated. The President's Cancer Panel urges President Obama "to use the power of [his] office to remove the carcinogens and other toxins from our food, water, and air that needlessly increase health care costs, cripple our Nation's productivity, and devastate American lives." reports Steingraber. Visit Livingdownstream.com for more information on cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber's book and documentary.

HOW MUCH EVIDENCE DO YOU WANT? 

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE & CANCER

Environmental Links to Cancer

Interview with Dr. Sandra Steingraber, biologist, poet, and survivor of cancer in her twenties, brings all three perspectives to bear on the most important health and human rights issue of our time: the growing body of evidence linking cancer to environmental contamination. "Living Downstream" (book and documentary) is a scientist's personal investigation of cancer and the environment.

10:00 Pesticides don't just stay on the plants they evaporate and drift into the air, they fall as "rain", they're found in snowflakes, in fog, in wind, in clouds and backyard swimming pools. So why do so many farmers feel that they still have to use pesticides? And do they not know how persistent they are in the environment.

Dr. Sandra Steingraber's documentary Living Downstream is now available for theatrical and festival screenings. Fifteen new screenings have been added.

Preview

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Posted by Olga Krywyj