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Canadian Government Declares Silicones (Etc.) Toxic to Environment ... but not to Human Beings ? ? ? ?
From Health Lover, Ilena Rosenthal
www.BreastImplantAwareness.org/ http://breastimplantawareness.blogspot.com WoW. While I am thrilled to see that the Canadian Government is taking seriously the many concerns regarding various synthetic chemicals ... silicones included. This statement, however, sounds like it comes straight from the doublespeak of George Orwell's "Ministry of Truth" in 1984. EXCERPT: "The government concludes these synthetic chemicals do not pose a risk to human health, but rather should be declared toxic to the environment." What ? ? ? Dr. Zuckerman's words are true and clear: EXCERPT: "A more accurate assessment would have been to say that the health hazards are unknown for individual use of products with D4, because they have not been adequately studied. I would think that women of childbearing age would be especially concerned about having breast implants because of possible infertility problems that could result from D4." I'm still astounded the Canadian Government can claim no possible risk to human life, when this science mentioned below is unfolding: EXCERPT: "The government's newly released risk assessment of D4, found in silicone breast implants, states the synthetic chemical impairs fertility. It also flags a finding of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, identifying the liver as a "target organ for D4 exposures." Please help us keep the pressure on Health Canada ... it's time for them ... and the FDA ... to stop caving into the demands of the medical device makers. From Health Lover, Ilena Rosenthal www.BreastImplantAwareness.org/ http://breastimplantawareness.blogspot.com http://www.canada.com/topics/news/na...d=b0eeb176-6b3... Sarah Schmidt , Canwest News Service Published: Friday, May 16 OTTAWA - The federal government announced Friday it intends to slap a toxic label on a bunch of chemicals used in everyday products from chewing gum to cosmetics as well as in controversial devices like silicone breast implants because they are either harmful to human health or the environment. The 11 chemicals include Vinyl acetate, a carcinogen used as a base in chewing gum, and Cyclohexasiloxane, used as building blocks of silicone used in breast implants. If industry fails to offer new information within 60 days to reverse course, Ottawa will classify these chemicals as toxic and kick start a process that could lead to a ban in certain products, as with bisphenol A in baby bottles. Silicone breast implants were pulled from the market in Canada in 1992 amid concerns they were unsafe for women. In 2006, they were once again made freely available. In the case of the synthetic chemicals belonging to the Cyclohexasiloxane family - D4, D5 and D6 - the government is proposing an additional step to ensure their virtual elimination from the environment. In addition to being found in silicone fluids, these synthetic chemicals are found in cleaning compounds, cosmetics and personal care products, including shampoos, creams, lotions, and antiperspirants. D5, in particular, is a common ingredient to give products a silky texture. The government concludes these synthetic chemicals do not pose a risk to human health, but rather should be declared toxic to the environment. "Canadians expect their government to protect the environment from harmful chemicals, and that's why we are taking action," said Environmental Minister John Baird. Six of the 11 chemicals are flagged as toxic to human health; the government said it will work with industry to reduce exposures to two of these substances. The health toxins a Vinyl acetate, used in food additives, paints, sealants and plastics; C.I. Pigment Yellow 34 and Red 103, a colourant used in paints, dyes, inks, and plastics; Thiourea, used in electronic products, insecticides and textiles; isoprene, used in rubber and plastic manufacturing; and Oxirane, used in paints, coatings and adhesives. The announcement comes after a lengthy review of the chemicals under the government's Chemicals Management Plan involving about 200 substances. It is the most comprehensive chemical review currently being undertaken in the world. Mike Patton, spokesman for the Canadian Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association, praised the process and welcomed the conclusions. "There's nothing in this batch that poses a health concern for us. But our other interest is environmental impact, and we'll work with the government to minimize or eliminate entirely any environmental impact." Thiourea, a carcinogen, used to be a common ingredient in personal-care products, but it hasn't been used by the industry for some time, said Patton. Women health advocates say they'll use this new information to push for a review of the October, 2006, lifting the ban on silicone breast implants. The government's newly released risk assessment of D4, found in silicone breast implants, states the synthetic chemical impairs fertility. It also flags a finding of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, identifying the liver as a "target organ for D4 exposures." But the government concludes the substance "is not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health." Madeline Bosco, a nurse who is executive director of Canadian Women's Health Network and public appointee to the government's advisory committee on breast implants, says research shows silicone is not well-contained in the implants and diffuses throughout women's bodies. "This is extremely good news from my perspective. It helps move the toxicology world, which has already been raising questions about silicone, into the health products process." Epidemiologist Diane Zuckerman, president of the National Research Center for Women & Families based in Washington, characterized Health Canada's decision "confusing and illogical. If D4 is dangerous to the environment, on what basis is the government concluding that it is not dangerous when implanted inside the human body or repeatedly used on the human body? "A more accurate assessment would have been to say that the health hazards are unknown for individual use of products with D4, because they have not been adequately studied. I would think that women of childbearing age would be especially concerned about having breast implants because of possible infertility problems that could result from D4." Silicone implants were pulled from the market in Canada in 1992 amid concerns they were unsafe for women. In October, 2006, Health Canada changed course and made them freely available to women with the caveat that "no medical device is 100 per cent safe." Until then, only breast implants filled with saline were licensed for sale in Canada. The October, 2006 decision came just months after Health Canada's scientific advisory committee said questions "had not been sufficiently addressed" about potential health risks should the gels bleed or leak into women's bodies and about whether the implants increase the risk of auto-immune diseases in the long term. The government is also proposing to list Acid Blue 80, a colourant used in cosmetics and glass cleaner, as toxic to the environment. |
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