- The ARC - California Edition -

Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Reproductive Toxicity

By Peter Leibert, Editor

When I first got seriously involved in studying the basic causes of brain damage and the resultant mental retardation, I often became sidetracked because I considered that there was little scientific data that had been obtained in an objective manner. This may not have been objectively determined on my part, but be that as it may, it effected my ability to understand what was going on.

There was no doubt, in my opinion, that the use of pesticides in this state must be a major contributor to why we were observing so many infants being born with some sort of birth defect. Well, just think about it. Pesticides are selected or developed chemicals which have the ability to kill or harm something. During the 1970s, the ARC learned that the people who were in charge of authorizing the sale of pesticide chemicals within this state did not even have a system in place which would test, evaluate, understand, and verify any potential impact on humans. 

During the early 1980’s, the Arc—California placed on its list of legislative priorities an effort to require that the state government of California accept what we considered to be their responsibility to understand and control what chemicals are doing or are not doing to people that live here. 

It did not take long before the state legislature accepted that need to mandate that our government start to gather information which would lead to a better understanding about which pesticides are capable of doing damage to humans. 

A major legislative success that I clearly recall was a measure, which became known as The Reproductive Toxin Act of 1982. It actually was a simple bill that put our government’s administration on notice that we expect them to have data in their hand which proves or disproves the safety of exposing human beings to a toxic chemical PRIOR TO the administration approving any license to sell such a chemical within California.

Another very significant and related law was approved by our state voters during 1986. This was a voter initiative called “The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.”

This act, in effect, broadened the toxic chemical law to require the Governor to publish a list of chemicals (at least annually) which are known to the State to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. This list would include all pesticides, and other minerals and chemicals, which have the potential to cause reproductive toxicity. 

It took a while for this act to “get enacted,” but it in itself only provides you with information. There is nothing in these laws which stops the use of a chemical from being sold or used. That would require separate action by the legislators, the administration, or the manufacturers.

Many chemicals are no longer sold in California because of pressure that these laws present. Manufacturers often choose to not pay for the cost of testing chemicals just to sell them in California, so they don’t. What is happening in other states and countries, I do not know.

Included in this document is the current list of minerals and chemicals formally known by California to be capable of being a reproductive toxin. But what do I do with it, you say.

Most all of us are users of minerals and chemicals. Are we currently unwittingly exposing ourselves and others to one of these toxins? Well, find out! Compare this list to the ingredients on products you use at home, at work, and at programs at the Arcs you may be involved with. If you find a suspicious ingredient, learn more about that specific ingredient. Ask questions. Go to the library. Talk to professionals.

Getting control of the minerals and chemicals commercially being used in this world is going to require the interest and commitment of us all. Get smart about reproductive toxins! Thank you.