Chemical exposure is something that all of us have to worry about in our lives, to one extent or another. Whether one is looking at exposure to toxic household products, water pollution, pesticides on our produce, or toxic exposure in the workplace, all of us have to deal with it at some level.
Most of the time, the little bit of exposure we get is not something most of us have to worry about, at least right now. Or so we assume. According to a paper recently published in the journal Endocrinology, though, chemical exposure of parents can have an impact on their child’s development years later.
The paper discusses the issue of how chemical exposure can influence gene expression, which can impact the health of offspring. Chemical exposure can, for instance, affect sperm cells and stem cells, which have affect children. Of particular concern are chemicals classified as endocrine disruptors, which destabilize the hormone system of the body. Examples include BPA, dioxin, and phthalates. These chemicals can increase risk for things like obesity and cancer.
Federal law does, of course, regulate activities that could lead to chemical exposure. One particularly important law is the Toxic Substances Control Act, which is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. Such protection is not always effective though. When it isn’t, victims of chemical exposure need to understand their options for relief. Damage arising from chemical exposure can be pursued through tort law. In pursuing any such litigation, though, it is always important to work with an experienced attorney. This is especially important when the harm for which one is seeking compensation is relatively remote.