Related Releases & Reports:
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Concerns About Disease
While health and longevity continue to improve in the U.S.,
certain chronic diseases - like cancer, Alzheimer's, and asthma offer
cause for concern. Consider:
Asthma in the U.S. is up 75% since 1980
and has more than doubled among children.
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant
mortality in the U.S.
Learning disabilities have increased 50%
during the past 10 years.
The number of people suffering from neurological diseases like
and metabolic diseases like diabetes
has risen 20%
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Widespread toxic substances are found throughout Montana
from the use of pesticides, the leaching of hazardous waste materials and
toxic substances, and the creation and use of various industrial and manufactured
consumer products. Montanans are exposed to these chemicals through the air,
water, soil, workplace, or from the use of consumer products.
These substances may adversely interfere with normal bodily functions,
and may lead to birth defects, growth and developmental damage, and reproductive
problems. Pregnant women, unborn children, and young children are at
an especially high health risk from these chemical exposures.
MontPIRG seeks to reduce chemical exposures and to protect human
health in Montana by working to reduce, and where possible eliminate pollution
that threatens public health and the environment, expand the public’s
right-to-know about toxic chemical use and exposure, and to educate and
inform the public about threats of toxic chemical production and exposure.
Chronic Disease Registry & Tracking
The tragedy that has befallen Libby has raised serious questions about
our state’s ability to identify and respond to threats to the public
health. The failure of the state to recognize these trends is not because
our public health officials don’t care but because they simply do not
have the information. That is why MontPIRG is working to craft legislation
that would establish a statewide cancer and chronic disease tracking and
registry system. Such a system will be an important tool in preventing
tragedies like that in Libby from happening again.
Learn more about this issue...
Mercury, Fish & Your Health
Following government guidelines for fish consumption could expose
more than one it four pregnant women to mercury levels that could damage
the health of their developing fetus, according to a report released by
MontPIRG last spring. Learn more about this issue...
Indoor Air Quality
Breathing secondhand smoke can be harmful to children's health such as
bronchitis, asthma and childhood cancer. Yet, their health can easily
be protected by making homes smoke-free. Learn
more about this issue...
Also see Clean Air Campaign
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Mercury, Fish & Your Health