Prenatal Origins of Endocrine DisruptionCritical Windows of DevelopmentPress ReleaseContact: Carol Kwiatkowski (970) 527-4082 carolkw@tds.net February 10, 2009 Toxic Womb: New database of chemicals and health effects unveiled.Examples from prenatal exposure research:
The Critical Windows of Development is a unique interactive web page from TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) that pairs human development in the womb with laboratory research showing where and when low-dose exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and dioxin has effects. Before a baby is born, it is exposed to a myriad of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs interfere with the delicate system of vital hormones, glands and organs that control how a baby develops and functions throughout life. EDCs such as BPA, dioxin and phthalates can penetrate the womb and cause adverse effects at extremely low exposure levels. These chemicals are found in water bottles, food cans, dental resins, cleaning products, cosmetics, fragrances, packaging and construction material, cars, planes, recreational and electronic equipment, baby bottles, toys, and many other products that we come into contact with daily. According to Dr. Theo Colborn, TEDX President and originator of the database, “The unprecedented global increases in endocrine-related disorders such as autism, other learning and developmental disabilities, reproductive problems, diabetes, obesity, thyroid problems, breast, prostate, and testicular cancer and more, signal the need for a crash program in ‘inner-space’ research. The roles of contaminants in the womb must be addressed before it is too late.” Chemical and product manufacturers state that we need more research to “prove” that chemicals cause harm. Researchers at TEDX say that for many chemicals, that is not true. They have reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed papers on BPA, dioxin, and phthalates, and condensed their findings into an easy-to-use interactive website program. More chemicals will be added to the database in 2009. Carol F. Kwiatkowski, Ph.D., Executive Director of TEDX says, “The Critical Windows of Development presents the big picture of how endocrine disrupting chemicals affect numerous developing systems. It is an invaluable tool for scientists to guide future research, for medical professionals to promote reduced exposure, for the media to better inform the public, and to assure legislators of the need to create protective regulations.” Available for Interviews for the Critical Windows of DevelopmentTheo Colborn, PhD, Professor Emeritus University of Florida, Gainesville, President of TEDX and co-author of Our Stolen Future. 970-527-6548; colborn@tds.net Carol Kwiatkowski, PhD, Executive Director of TEDX and principle researcher for the Critical Windows of Development. 970-527-4082; carolkw@tds.net Sharyle Patton, Director, Commonweal Health and Environment Program, Co-founder and former Co-chair of the International POPs Elimination Network. 415 868-0979 X 728. Elise Miller, MEd, Director, Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Founder and former Executive Director of the Institute for Children’s Environmental Health. 360-331-7989; elise@healthandenvironment.org Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science Director, Science and Environmental Health Network. Ted is co-author of Generations at Risk: Reproductive Health and the Environment, which examines reproductive and developmental health effects of exposure to a variety of environmental toxicants, and also co-author of In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development. ted@sehn.org Kristen Welker-Hood, ScD MSN RN, Director, Environment and Health Programs, Physicians for Social Responsibility. (202) 667-4260 ext 244; kwelker-hood@psr.org Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., Director, Consumer Reports Greenerchoices program, Senior [Environmental Health] Scientist and Policy Analyst at Consumers Union. urangan@consumer.org, 646-594-0212 Janet Nudelman, Director of Program and Policy, Breast Cancer Fund. To schedule an interview with Janet Nudelman, please contact Shannon Coughlin, 415.336.8223 x 14, scoughlin@breastcancerfund.org Linda Giudice, MD, PhD, MSc, Professor and Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Fransisco. To schedule an interview with Dr. Giudice please contact Kristen Bole, Senior Public Information Rep., UCSF News Office. 415-476-2743 kbole@pubaff.uscf.edu Other ResourcesOur Stolen Future - www.ourstolenfuture.org Association for Reproductive Health Professionals www.arhp.org
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