Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS)

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Resource Pointer #366 (Body Burden)
June 3, 2004

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

*Chemical Trespass: Pesticides in Our Bodies and Corporate Accountability, 2004* Kristin S. Schafer, Margaret Reeves, Skip Spitzer, and Susan E. Kegley. Analyzes data from a recent Center for Disease Control report revealing most Americans have pesticide residues in their bodies. Cites children as carrying the heaviest body burden with some levels exceeding the threshold deemed safe by the government. Mexican Americans and women also reflect high exposure levels. Suggests policy changes to hold pesticide companies accountable for the chemical poisons they inflict on people without their permission. 60 pages. Available as hard copy or as free download in English and Spanish at: http://www.panna.org/campaigns/docsTrespass/chemicalTrespass2004.dv.html. Contact PANNA, 49 Powell Street, Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone (415) 981-1771; fax (415) 981-1998; email panna@panna.org; Web site http://www.panna.org/.

*Chemical Body Burden, 2004* Web site http://www.chemicalbodyburden.org/. Provides an overview of chemical body burden including sources of exposure, health consequences, body burden testing, and strategies to reduce exposure. Case studies demonstrate body burden effects of specific classes of chemicals. Cites studies and reports for further research and provides tools and information for action. Contact Coming Clean, P.O. Box 8743, Missoula, MT 59807; email info@comeclean.org; Web site http://www.come-clean.org/.

*Did You Take Your Poison Today? 2003* IPM Danida. Reports on the intensive use of pesticides in Thailand and the many routes of exposure enabling pesticides to infiltrate the human body. Discuses various types of pesticides, their chemical origins, health ramifications of exposure, ways to detect and avoid exposure and the accumulation of pesticide ‘body burdens.’ 36 pages. Available as hardcopy or as free download in English or Thai at: http://www.ipmthailand.org/en/download_documents.htm. Contact IPM DANIDA, Department of Agriculture, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; phone (02) 579-9654; fax (66 02) 579-9655; email info@ipmthailand.org; Web site http://www.ipmthailand.org/.

*Up Close and Toxic, 2003 (video)* Carol Underwood. Investigates pollution of indoor and home environments caused by cleaning products, pesticides, paints, lead, and other household chemicals. Discusses the potential health effects of this pollution and suggests ways to minimize exposure to indoor pollutants. 45 min. $250 for purchase and $85 for rental. Contact Bullfrog Films, P.O. Bos 149, Oley, PA 19547; phone (800) 543-3764; fax (610) 370-1978; email video@bullfrogfilms.com; Web site http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/.

*Environmentally Induced Illness: Ethics, Risk, Assessment and Human Rights, 2001* Thomas Kerns. Discusses the effects of long-term, low dose exposure to chemicals including the author’s own experiences with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Calls for increased public awareness of chemical exposure, improved documentation of medical conditions related to chemical body burden, increased corporate accountability, and government policy and regulation to address toxic exposure, human health and safety. 304 pages. $45. Contact McFarland Publishing, P.O. Box 611, Jefferson NC 28649; phone (336) 246-4460; fax (336) 246-5018; email info@mcfarlandpub.com; Web site http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/.

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.

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and reporting on pesticide issues that don’t always get coverage by the mainstream media. It’s produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a non-profit and non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable alternatives to pesticides worldwide.

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