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There are many hazardous chemicals in common household dust and they are making Americans sick, says a coalition of nine environmental organizations. An analysis of dust in 70 U.S. homes released today shows that particles from detergents, packing materials, textiles, computers and cosmetics, among many other ordinary objects, can be hazardous to human health.
The study, "Sick of Dust: Chemicals in Common Products - a Needless Health Threat in Our Homes", is the first in the United States to look at a wide range of chemicals used in computers, cosmetics, upholstery, pesticides and other products. All the chemicals tested are legal despite the fact that they are internationally recognized as toxic or harmful to the immune and reproductive systems. (…)
In addition to "Clean Production Action", the following groups helped collect the research for the Sick of Dust report: Alliance for Healthy Tomorrow, Center for Environmental Health, Citizens Environmental Coalition, Ecology Center, Environmental Health Strategy Center, Oregon Environmental Council, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and the Washington Toxics Coalition.
The coalition recommends an overhaul of federal chemical regulations parallel to the process taking place in Europe. "Current regulations allow the continuing production and use of chemicals in everyday products that are linked to cancer, reproductive and neurological damage", they said today.
Source: Environment News Service, 22 March 2005.
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