As a research scientist, I would caution people in jumping to
conclusions about how they got their cancer. I have a special place in
my heart for all of those suffering from this terrible disease, but the
causes of many types of cancer are still unknown.
Obviously smoking will lead to lung cancer, the sun to skin cancer.
But these accusations that different chemical exposure during childhood
has lead to these cancers seem to me to be quite a leap. I am
constantly exposed to chemicals (many labelled by the FDA and EPA as
toxic and carcinogenic) and know that the level of exposure is very
important. We have access to sheets called Material Data Saftey Sheets
(MSDS). If we have any of the MSDS for the chemicals you are concerned
about, I can check the toxicity levels.
I again warn against jumping to the conclusion that chemical exposure
in childhood or adolescence has lead to this disease. I know it's
difficult to go through all of this without knowing exactly where its
all come from. That is exactly the situation my family is dealing with
concerning my mother's cancer, but as a person who deals with chemicals
on a daily basis, I would hesitate to draw conclusions. There are
definately chemicals out there that cause serious, longterm problems,
but that usually requires high dose, high exposure circumstances.
If you have any questions concerning exact chemicals, I have access to
a large database and access to a smaller database of MSDS. Please feel
free to contact me if you wish.
J.P.
--
J.P. Northrop
Graduate Student
Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Delaware
Brown Lab 274
Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-1738
97 Amstel Ave., 12W
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 837-1986
(302) 243-0411
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