Dr. Gray Goes To Washington

Dr. Molly Gray, a participant in WTC's recent Earliest Exposures study on toxic chemicals in pregnant mothers, testified today before a US Senate committee on the need for stronger standards for toxic chemicals. She told Senators of her shock at finding out she had chemicals like phthalates, bisphenol A, and mercury, in her body, despite her best efforts to avoid products containing the chemicals.

Molly, now the mother of a happy 7-month old baby boy named Paxton, told Senators of her shock at finding out she had chemicals like phthalates, bisphenol A, and mercury, in her body, despite her best efforts to avoid products containing the chemicals.

Mother's-to-be can make many choices to ensure a healthy baby- we can take prenatal vitamins, exercise, avoid cigarettes and alcohol, and eat healthy diets. I am disappointed that with all of the choices we are able to make we do not have a choice to protect our children from the powerful influence of toxic chemicals on their developing bodies.

She went on to say:

Something is wrong when I, as an educated consumer, am unable to protect my baby from toxic chemicals. I and all other parents should be able to walk into stores and buy what we need without winding up with products that put our families' health at risk.

Molly testified as part of a hearing on whether the federal law governing toxic chemical production and use, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), should be reformed.

“Our children should not be used as guinea pigs,” said Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) just before he announced his intention to introduce new safer chemical legislation to reform TSCA soon.

Way to go Molly! You inspire us!

Check out the video of the hearing. Molly's testimony begins at 74:45.

A transcript of her testimony is here.

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Dr. Gray Goes To Washington

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