Reduced Toxic Burdens in Children / Vulnerable Populations

About this indicator: As a place-holder until such time as local data are available, this indicator is derived from 5 high-risk chemicals measured in the U.S. population by the Centers for Disease Control. "NHANES" data are extracted for the following key chemicals, for which we have reduction efforts underway or being initiated in the King County area:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Phthalate plasticizers
• Bisphenol-A
• Organophosphate pesticides

Equal weighting is given at this time. Subsequent enhancements could be derived from the Washington State Department of Health's "Washington Environmental Public Health Tracking Network," which will report local data on lead in children and adults, organophosphate and carbamate pesticides in exposed workers, and other chemicals in the future.

Status: Little data specific to King County forces us, at this time, to look to national and state data as place holders.

Influencing factors: Exposures to hazardous chemicals come from a wide variety of sources, starting in the womb from mothers' own body burdens, to foods, food containers, dust, old paint, carpets and many other products and materials. It is a very complex area, yet one we should be concerned about when we see elevated chemical levels in tests of blood, urine, bone or other tissues. Even in the face of scientific uncertainty, it behooves us to reduce such body burdens of known problem chemicals to the extent possible.

Existing DNRP response: Complementary with King County's extensive work on reduction of hazardous chemicals in the environment, we are concerned about exposures of our population to chemicals that are known to cause health and well-being problems, such as lead, mercury and other priority toxins. In particular, Public Health efforts have focused on elevated blood lead in children. Local Hazardous Waste Management Program priorities include lead, mercury, bisphenol-A, and certain pesticides including the organophosphates. In addition to finding ways for individuals to reduce their and their children's exposures, efforts include policy changes at the local and state level to eliminate these chemicals in new products and to safely remove older materials.

Priority new actions: A number of state and federal initiatives have addressed these priority toxins in the past two years. The 2010 legislature passed a new law that will require the manufacturers of mercury-containing lamps such as fluorescent bulbs to set up a take-back system which will help to reduce mercury exposures from this source. Work continues to address the chronic exposure to lead in old paint and the dust in older homes, including new federal regulations that require work done in any remodeling or other disturbance that might release more lead from old paint into the home environment be done by certified contractors. Lead and phthalates in toys and other products widely used by children are addressed in a law passed by the state legislature in 2008 and by the federal government the same year. The 2010 Washington legislature also passed a law banning bisphenol-A, an estrogenic chemical found to leach out of polycarbonate plastics and other resins, in baby products and in sport water bottles. Efforts to reduce and/or eliminate remaining uses of organophosphate pesticides continue.

What you can do:

• Choose products that do not contain these hazardous chemicals, where possible.
• If living in a home built or painted before the late 1970s, reduce exposure to dusts.
• Seek certified contractors to assist with removal of lead paint when doing any reconstruction or when dealing with peeling surfaces.
• Follow Integrated Pest Management and Natural Yard Care practices to minimize pesticide use.
• Safely dispose of old household hazardous wastes through local collection services.
• Contact your elected officials and express how important reduction of exposure to high-hazard chemicals is, especially to young children.

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