I majored in Exercise Science and Wellness in college, and have been a health educator, physical educator, wellness director, and frequent speaker on health topics for almost two decades, but in all that time, I received very little information about toxic chemicals and the threat to our health. I was a health educator (!!) and knew very little about the subject! It didn't really hit home for me until I was pregnant with my first daughter.
I received a book from a friend that included all the things to avoid while pregnant and breastfeeding because of the health threats of exposing her to the extremley long list of everyday toxins! I wondered why doctors wait until their patients become pregnant to give us that information. The list included foods I ate every single day, pesticides used on my lawn, on produce, and my pets, beauty products, everyday household cleaners, and on and on the list went.
Because of my advanced age with my pregnancy, I was sent to a specialist for tests. He told me that my only risk factor was my age, because my eggs had been exposed to "environmental toxins" for much longer than most people at child-bearing age. He said it put my unborn daughter at risk for birth defects, cancer, and a host of developmental problems. I was shocked! I couldn't believe that I was just then learning all of this information.
My quest for information led me to the Greater Boston's Physicians for Social Responsibility's report, "In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development". I reflected back to when my twin sister died at the age of 23. She was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer that began as a birth defect.
Unfortunately, it didn't manifest until adulthood. What I learned about her disease as a direct result of seeking out information regarding toxic chemicals made me sick. Her birth defect, like many, can be linked to environmental toxins. For whatever reason, she was more susceptible to toxins we were both exposed to before we were born. She died, I lived. I made it my mission to educate as many people as possible about this issue.
When researching preschools for my daughters, I learned that none of the programs in my area used safe chemicals around the children that were in their care! None! So I started a mother's morning out and preschool at my church. I used safe cleaning products, BPA free bottles for the babies in our care, and safe craft supplies whenever I could get them.
At our preschool association meetings, I was amazed when the other directors said that they had never heard about the toxic chemicals in the products they used around the young children in their care every single day. I distributed excerpts from the "In Harm's Way" report at association meetings and in newsletters to the families who had enrolled their children in our preschool.
As the preschool ministry director for our church, I distributed the information in church-wide newsletters. As a result, our church officially made a policy of using safe cleaning chemicals in our nursery and preschool. A short time later, I joined the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition. I've asked my state representatives and Congressman to support the Safe Chemicals Act.
When I did my student teaching last year in a high school health class, I incorporated the information on toxic chemicals in my lesson plans. My students did a project that also incorporated the information in their presentations. Any time I am invited to speak for an organization or club on health, fitness, wellness, nutrition, or related topics, I always include the information I have learned from reputable sources.
I don't allow myself to become frustrated with friends, family, and constituents who continue to dismiss the reality of toxic chemicals in our every day environment. I find new ways of getting the information out there every day. I'm even thinking of writing a book on the subject for young women of child bearing age, preschool directors, childcare center owners and directors, and health educators.
Cynthia Elsberry
Acworth, Georgia
