tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post7399960715336603547..comments2024-02-20T04:43:47.934-08:00Comments on Eco-novice: Industrial Chemicals + Children's Brains = Impaired LearningBetsy Escandonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-66223206818972536192011-03-17T10:09:13.480-07:002011-03-17T10:09:13.480-07:00Natalie, Excellent points. I know there are skepti...Natalie, Excellent points. I know there are skeptics. I thought of discussing this in my post, but left it out. Everyone wants to blame their favorite villain (c-sections, air conditioners, not enough time in nature, vaccines, chemicals, not enough snuggling with your kids, etc.) for the increasing rates of all kinds of problems: ADHD, autism, diabetes, allergies, asthma, and so on. I personally think industrial chemicals are one of the most likely culprits, because we know they are in our bodies (infants are born with over 200 industrial chemicals in their bodies), they are NOT natural and we have not evolved to deal with them, and we know they mimic hormones, etc. and can interfere with natural processes. I'm sure it's a complicated interaction of many things, but I've seen the most science for the chemicals.Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-71057253810914584102011-03-17T09:33:03.894-07:002011-03-17T09:33:03.894-07:00Thanks, Kitty. The free market only works well if ...Thanks, Kitty. The free market only works well if information is readily available and everything is perfectly transparent. Obviously, that is not the case here. We definitely need regulation!Betsy Escandonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13598482569526345086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-19137787300684550372011-03-17T09:01:41.493-07:002011-03-17T09:01:41.493-07:00You might find this brief article interesting.
htt...You might find this brief article interesting.<br />http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Especially_For_Press&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=19419<br /><br />It talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the studies showing relationship between ADHD and chemicals and gives suggestions on how to proceed. I am sure you won't agree with the last bullet point (don't know that I would either), but I think the author does make some interesting points.<br /><br />I found this quite interesting: "None of these manmade chemicals were used a century ago." [ADHD was recognized as a distinct phenomenon as early as 1902 - Russell Barkley, PhD, Taking Charge of ADHD] "Therefore the question arises whether they might explain part of the increase in ADHD diagnoses of the past forty years. The widely documented genetic risk could be a genetic vulnerability to such chemicals." The author then adds, "However, before jumping to such conclusions, some limitations of the studies must be considered." Read the article to read about these limitations.<br /><br />This is a link to the most recent articles related to organophosphate pesticide on the CHADD website.<br />http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Especially_For_Press&template=/Search/SearchDisplay.cfm<br /><br />I will definitely want to take precautions. I am, however, a little hesitant to get swept up in too much hype as this is not the first nor the last things to be blamed for causing ADHD (just like Type 1 diabetes with which I have been dealing for many more years and seen many "causes" come and go). <br /><br />I would enthusiastically support further research on this subject! In the meantime, I better do a better job washing my produce. Thanks for the interesting post. It got my juices flowing this morning and opened my eyes to an important topic!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10991484269710265540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-264294700715447531.post-72919263495294754922011-03-17T08:59:25.422-07:002011-03-17T08:59:25.422-07:00Great post. In theory, I like the idea of small g...Great post. In theory, I like the idea of small government, but in many cases we simply cannot rely on "the market" to self-regulate - it just won't as long as there is money to be made in the short term. This is a perfect example of an industry that requires regulation.Kitty Morsehttp://www.heirloomwoodentoys.comnoreply@blogger.com