Protect Pets from Toxins

Dear [Decision Maker],

I was alarmed to learn that American pets are polluted with even higher levels of many of the same synthetic industrial chemicals that researchers have recently found in people.

Dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people.

The dogs were contaminated with 35 chemicals altogether. These included 7 chemicals (20%) with average levels at least 5 times higher than typical levels in people, and another 7 chemicals with average levels up to 5 times amounts found in people. Relative to people, dogs showed high levels of stain- and grease-proof chemicals (perfluorochemicals in the Teflon family), plastics chemicals called phthalates, and fire retardants called PBDEs.

The cats were contaminated with 46 chemicals altogether. These included 25 chemicals (54%) with average levels at least 5 times higher than typical levels in people, and another 18 chemicals (39%) with average levels up to 5 times amounts found in people. Relative to people, cats showed very high levels of neurotoxic fire retardants called PBDEs and methylmercury, a pollutant from coal power plants and a common seafood contaminant.

This contamination is increasingly worrisome given the linkages between health problems and these chemicals. Worse yet, the results indicate that America's pets might be acting as an involuntary bellwether for the effect of widespread chemical contamination on people, especially the most vulnerable.

Infants and toddlers play close to the floor and put household objects in their mouths, and in the process they are exposed to the same dangers as pets.

[Your Comment]

We need some measure of proof from companies that the chemicals they sell are safe. Not only would it protect our pets, but ourselves as well. I urge you address this important issue.