Man-made chemicals are poisoning us, says author

Science writer Julian Cribb FTSE has released the book Poisoned Planet: how constant exposure to man-made chemicals is putting your life at risk. Cribb states in the book that there is an urgent need for individual and global action to stem the flood of poisonous substances that is engulfing humanity and the whole planet.

Scientific evidence is piling up that the diseases of modern society are significantly linked to the growing burden of toxic chemicals we carry. Cribb notes that the rising incidence of cancers, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, ADHD, autism, Alzheimer’s, depression, stress, childhood diseases and other ailments are linked in thousands of scientific research reports to the toxic chemicals around us.

“There are at least 143,000 man-made chemicals, plus an equally vast number of unintentional chemicals liberated by mining, burning fossil fuels, waste disposal etc,” Cribb said. “Total human chemical emissions from all sources are of the order of 140 billion tonnes (including 36 billion tonnes of climate-destroying carbon dioxide and methane) a year. These blanket the planet, pole to pole and stratosphere to deep ocean. They are in air, water, soil, food, consumer products, homes, workplaces, trade goods, vehicles, wildlife, ourselves and our genes.

“Unlike previous generations, we are saturated in man-made chemicals from the moment of conception to the moment of departure. There is evidence we are passing genetic damage caused by these substances to our kids. There is some evidence the global toll from this toxic effusion now exceeds the annual death toll in World War II.

“This issue has crept up on us in barely a single lifetime. No previous generations of humans were so exposed. A poisoned planet is the price we are paying for our unthinking consumer lifestyle.”

Cribb says the volume of pesticide use alone has increased 30-fold since Rachel Carson warned of the risks in the book Silent Spring, published in 1962. He noted, “Around 1000 new industrial chemicals are released every year, which the United Nations says are largely untested for human and environment health and safety.”

But Cribb says his book takes an optimistic approach, stating, “Whatever we have done to our world, we can undo, and in ways that will lead to better health, greater prosperity and more opportunity for everyone.

“I describe how humans can now come together to tackle global big problems like this - problems which seem beyond the ability of national governments to resolve. We can solve this problem rationally as individuals and as a society - without blaming industry, without recrimination, using the economic might of the connected and educated global consumer.”

The book has been commended by environmental activists, authors and academics. It has been published by Allen & Unwin and is available in bookstores this week.