Sep 25: Rachel Carson Legacy Conference on Endocrine Disruptors

The third annual Rachel Carson Legacy Conference will address the potential risks and solutions to human and environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors, from bisphenol A in plastics to phthalates in shampoo.

Almost 50 years after Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring warned the public, government agencies and even industry about the dangers associated with widespread use of synthetic chemical toxicants, we are now faced with daily exposure to substances that the chemical industry and some regulatory agencies say are safe, while scientists and researchers link exposure to hermaphrodization (male fish carrying eggs), low sperm count, breast cancer and more. From flame-retardants in carpets, furniture and clothing, to phthalates in children's toys and shampoos to bisphenol A (BPA) in soft-drink, beer and food can linings, plastic water bottles, dental sealant and other consumer products, endocrine disruptors are now present in more than 90 % of the U.S. population. Their ability to fool the human endocrine - or hormone - system into over-producing or under-producing normal levels of hormones are of particular concern when it comes to fetuses in the womb and young children during critical development stages. You can read more about endocrine disruptors in the Rachel Carson Health & Environment Series brochure (PDF). For more information and to register, go to the RCH web site.