Chemical and air pollution linked to American deaths from cancer and heart disease

Evidence linking air pollution to heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular death has been "substantially strengthened", according to a report released by the American Heart Association.  These findings underscore last week's gloomy report from the President's Cancer Panel warning that Americans are being overloaded by exposure to possible cancer-causing chemicals, pesticides, and other environmental pollutants. In this report, the panel warns there are over 80,000 chemicals on the market that Americans are in contact with daily, many which are understudied and unregulated.

According to the American Lung Association's State of the Air - 2010 report; both Cook and DuPage counties in Illinois score an F and a C respectively for particle pollution.  Particulate matter is cited as increasing risk in a short time period in individuals, according to the AHA report.

The Presidential cancer panel's report stirred up controversy last week among scientists and the American Cancer Society, which slammed the report for an unbalanced perspective.  Michael J. Thun, MD, an epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society, claims people should be focused on the main controllable causes of cancer, such as obesity, tobacco, poor diet, and lack of exercise. 

The panel urges the government to take a preventative approach to regulation - whereas currently we simply react to evidence of harm.  Why do we allow chemicals to be used in everyday products when we are uncertain of the effects?  To date, Bisphenol-A is still used in many canned-food liners and hard plastic containers, despite growing evidence it is an endocrine disruptor.  Add in antibiotics and hormones used in our food supply, genetically modified foods, and noxious fumes in the air; all adding up to a lot of questionable toxins.

It's likely the consumers most concerned about the effects of these toxins are already vigilant about the effects of a healthy lifestyle.  That, ironically, is the frustrating thing - no matter how much we try to control our health, there are so many factors out of our control. 

As a consumer, I understand there is a cost versus benefit to many chemicals; certain medications save lives while also having side effects.  Flame retardant chemicals, while likely carcinogenic, have saved many children from brutal deaths from fire.

But let's not fool ourselves - many products' benefits serve only for convenience and corporate profits.  And when our health is being impacted, however miniscule it may be, it is cause for concern.

Let's face it - relying on corporations to put public interest over profits is not going to happen most of the time. Otherwise, cigarettes would have been outlawed a long time ago, and BP would not be stuffing golf balls into a spout to plug up a huge oil spill.