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Resource Pointer #297 (Persistent Organic Pollutants and other Risky Chemicals)
October 29, 2002

For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.

*Not Too Pretty: Phthalates, Beauty Products and the FDA, 2002* Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody, Bryony Schwan. Outlines health concerns associated with phthalates, a large family of industrial chemicals linked to permanent birth defects in the male reproductive system. Reports that in a recent study, nearly three-quarters of the products tested (52 of 72 popular products, including fragrances, deodorants, hair gels, hair sprays and body lotions) contained up to 3 percent phthalates. Discusses the lack of required federal safety testing and labeling. 17 pages. Download free at http://www.NotTooPretty.org/. Contact Environmental Working Group, 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 1515, Oakland, CA 94612; phone (510) 444-0973; fax (510) 444-0982; email info@nottoopretty.org; Web site http://www.NotTooPretty.org.

*DDT & Malaria: Answers to Common Questions, 2002* International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) Pesticide Working Group. Provides information on DDT use, production, regulation, and toxic effects on humans and wildlife. Argues that safer alternatives to malaria control exist, citing World Health Organization recommendations and methods used by India and Mexico. 4 pages. Download free at http://www.ipen.org/. Contact IPEN c/o PAN Africa, B.P.: 15938 Dakar-Fann, Senegal; phone (221) 825 49 14; fax (221) 825 14 43; email panafrica@pan-africa.sn; Web site http://www.pan-africa.sn/.

*Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Poland: Study on Human Breast Milk, 2002* Waste Prevention Association. Reports that the concentration of POPs in the breast milk of Polish women exceeds Polish and international safety standards. Notes that Polish industrial plants have been a source of POPs for decades. POPs studied includes dioxins, furans, DDT and PCBs. 10 pages. Contact Waste Prevention Association, PO Box 54, 30-961 Krakow 5, Poland; phone/fax (48-12) 421 0909, 654 9986; email office@otzo.most.org.pl; Web site http://www.otzo.most.org.pl/.

*Unsafe Sex: How Endocrine Disruptors Work, 2001* Miriam Jacobs. Examines how endocrine disrupting pesticides affect human health, even at low doses. Describes the disrupting effects on hormone control, fetal and brain development, cancer, and different effects on women and men. Suggests a broader risk assessment strategy to address toxicity to the entire endocrine system. 14 pages. Contact PAN UK, Eurolink Cenre, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ, UK; phone (44-20) 7274 8895; fax (44-20) 7274 9084; email admin@pan-uk.org; Web site http://www.pan-uk.org.

*Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): A Guide and Analysis to Assist Countries with Implementation, 2002* Greenpeace International. Provides background and suggestions to implement the Stockholm Convention treaty. Analyzes treaty provisions, including elimination of production, use and trade of both intentionally and unintentionally produced POPs, disposal of stockpiles and wastes, adding more chemicals, public information sharing, etc. 29 pages. Download free at http://web.greenpeace.org/reports/?campaign_id=3989. Contact Greenpeace International, Keizersgracht 176, 1016 DW Amsterdam, The Netherlands; phone (31-20) 523 62 22; fax (31-20) 523 62 00; email supporter.services@ams.greenpeace.org; Web site http://web.greenpeace.org/.

We encourage those interested in having resources listed in the PANUPS Resource Pointer to send review copies of publications, videos or other resources to our office.

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