M3.2 Vulnerable Populations

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In a world where inequality is rampant, health risks are increased especially in those vulnerable populations. We as public health advocates must be the purveyors of a better future for all, not just the more fortunate. Drugs that are placed on the market have to go through rigorous testing and clinical trials before they are able to grace the shelves of a store. Chemicals, however, are easier to get on the market and are tougher to get rid of. A lot of chemicals that were banned, such as DDT and Atrazine (in Europe), are being found in future generations of individuals who were born after these chemicals were banned.

Another example of this lack of oversight has to do with the obesity epidemic that has affected many Americans. Physicians and media push for less sedentary lifestyles and better diest, but they are ignoring or are oblivious to the chemicals in a person's environment that could also be contributing to this issue. These chemicals, like bisphenol A (BPA), are endocrine disruptors which are classified as hormone-disruptors. Humans' endocrine systems are complex systems that, if disrupted, can lead to serious health risks-including obesity. There have been steps to combat BPA, like California's Prop 65, that inform people of the dangers some products can inflict on people. However, specific products are not listed.

These chemicals have been shown to be detrimental to the health of humans, yet according to Dr. Tyrone Hayes, EPA indicated that the cost of impairments due to these diseases caused by these chemicals is outweighed by the benefits of keeping the chemical in use. They would rather the population suffer than take these chemicals off of the market. It begs the questions, who is really being protected by the EPA because it is not the environment-nor those living in the environment.

Comments

  1. Daisy AlbarranSeptember 16, 2018 at 3:27 PM

    Hello Kera,

    It is interesting to see that the negative outcomes of chemical exposure are outweighing the necessary measures to remove the products from consumers. Once again, I think as consumers, we need to look more into the products we use. The government warns us (as you said in your example of Prop 65), but because we don't see the immediate danger, I think that is why we are less inclined to change our habits. I also think that physicians aren't aware of all the chemicals that a human is exposed to other than the main ones that there are checks for such as lead, radon, asbestos, etc. Education needs to be taught at all levels, and accountability needs to be placed on the government and companies who by pass safety regulation.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2018 at 7:14 PM

    Hi Kera,

    Thank you for sharing such an informative post! I think it is definitely questionable why the EPA has yet to ban certain toxic chemicals from being used and marketed as "safe" products. The majority of the public will most likely remain unaware of the harm they can cause unless public health leaders can take a stand and develop laws that will ban production.

    Carmen

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 17, 2018 at 10:47 AM

    Hi Kera,

    I too am baffled at the fact that pharmaceutical go through more rigorous testing yet chemicals do not. You would think that chemicals would have an even stricter policy because they are being exposed to every individual in some/most cases. It is also frustrating that the obesity epidemic has seemingly ignored the role that BPA plays in becoming overweight. Before this class I had no clue that BPA had an impact on obesity and I am sure that many are unaware as well. I also question who is really being protected by the EPA. I am sure a monetary factor plays a big part in the chemicals they allow to be released in our environment and used in products. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

    ReplyDelete

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