Session 3 Q&A and Resources

Answers to questions submitted by participants:

Q: Are there ways that consumers can monitor their own exposures?
A: There are limited options for consumers to monitor their own exposures to most of these chemicals, although new technologies are coming online for a few agents, like radon and PM. Silent Spring Institute has previously offered urine testing by mail-in and may reactivate that study, which showed that for some chemicals, people could reduce their exposures by trying to avoid certain exposures. There may be some other limited opportunities to self-monitor. Of course, companies don't disclose all uses of their chemicals, so it can be difficult to protect ourselves. That's why what we really need is stronger regulation of these chemicals to protect everyone.

Q: Why is tamoxifen listed on the US site of carcinogens?
A: Tamoxifen decreases breast cancer risk but increases risk of endometrial cancers.

Q: Why is the list [of chemicals that increase breast cancer risk] not given to breast cancer survivors?
A: We published the list just a few months ago, and the article does list all the chemicals. We have tried to integrate findings from all our research about potential breast cancer risk factors into a smartphone app and website. We recommend this as a "reliable clean lifestyle guide that walks you through simple, research-based tips on how to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play." We're working all the time to learn more about the chemicals talked about today, what their effects are, where exposures come from, and how to avoid them. As we get new information, we add it into the Silent Spring Institute Detox Me smartphone app: https://silentspring.org/detox-me-app-tips-healthier-living

Q: Beyond researchers, hospitals, and reporters, has there been any attempts to reach parents and schools directly through school districts and PTOs? Given how crucial this information is for children's health, those forums look like a natural fit.
A: Great idea. There are many resources available for consumers that are also great resources for parents and school districts, including:

Q: Thank you Dr. Landrigan. My daughter’s oncologist (whom we adore) didn’t ask any environmental questions when she was diagnosed last year (Wilms tumor). Other than asking about lead paint in the home (thanks to you, surely), no pediatrician has ever asked me about our home environment in my 16 years of being a mother. I make sure to bring it up. The more I ask, the more I figure our doctors know we want environment to be part of the conversation. I’m often met with blank stares, but this is something any layperson can do to get the enviro health conversation going.
A: Excellent comment, thanks for adding this.

Comment: Zero Breast Cancer has many resources. People can email us at education@zerobreastcancer.org for free educational materials. Here are some links to resources we are happy to give providers:

Q: Thanks so much for the excellent webinar. My committee with the American Public Health Association (APHA) has created some Fact Sheets, in case someone might find these useful: https://sites.google.com/view/apha-ceh-committee/home   
A: Thank you for sharing this link to APHA's fact sheets. This is good to know about.

Q: There are a lot of air quality monitoring companies starting to monitor mostly urban neighborhoods. Is there a way to piggyback on this and monitor for other airborne carcinogens?
A: Great idea!  A barrier is the current expense of the more complicated mass spec analyses for chemicals. And this can be addressed by increasing demand for this kind of measurement.

Comment: Read "Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Climate Change" - https://www.amazon.com/Merchants-Doubt-Handful-Scientists-Obscured/dp/1608193942