Introduction to Childhood Cancer
Did you know cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States?
According to the National Cancer Institute, “over 15,000 children and adolescents in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer and over 1,000 will die of the disease.” While there is data to support a decline in death rates, the rate of diagnosis has increased by 34% since 1975.
Because of the important work of leading scientists and health professionals, we know that toxic chemicals in the environment and in the places where children live, learn and play are important risk factors for cancer, and that genetics alone cannot explain the rate of increase.
As a result, we are inviting you to take action by joining stakeholders from the Health, Science, Business, Policy, and Advocacy sectors through The Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI).
The Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative (CCPI)
CCPI was launched as a collaborative effort to improve children’s health by sharing evidence and resources about the impact of toxic chemicals on children. We also aim to share opportunities to prevent childhood cancer by removing toxic chemicals from products and environments where children live, go to school and play. Together we will engage scientists and health professionals to review and interpret research; help manufacturers and retailers drive a shift in business practices; and encourage legislators to implement responsible state and federal policies. We will learn from the experiences of parents, workers, businesses and communities, and provide them with information and tools to avoid exposure to potentially dangerous substances and exercise their power to shift the marketplace.
The Childhood Cancer Prevention Initiative is a growing cross-sector collaboration taking on this important work that includes members of the Cancer Free Economy Network, including ASBN along with Center for Environmental Health, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Clean & Healthy New York, Clean Production Action, and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production — as well as Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center, MadeSafe, Naturepedic, PREP4Gold and more.
For more information about the initiative contact: ccpi@asbnetwork.org
Join the Cause
We know that toxic chemicals in the environment and in the places where children live, learn and play are important risk factors for cancer. It’s time to unite, both general public and businesses alike. Together, we can prevent childhood cancers by advocating systemic changes and practices conducted by stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
BUSINESS
We are asking all business leaders to support:
- Securing funding for cancer prevention research;
- Monitoring children’s exposures to toxic chemicals and pollution;
- Ensuring that all children have access to schools, playgrounds and childcare settings that are free from toxic substances;
- Producing and using safer materials and products that don’t cause cancer or other illnesses for children;
- Developing, advocating for and advancing public policies to regulate toxic chemicals and incentivize safer chemicals, materials and products.
PUBLIC
We are asking the public to support:
- We are asking the public to support:
- The establishment of a National Childhood Cancer Prevention Research Agenda
- The establishment of a National Childhood Cancer Prevention Plan
- Systemic changes in business and government policy and practices towards toxic chemicals
- Supporting cross-sector approaches that eradicate toxic chemicals linked to childhood cancers
- Supporting cross-sector approaches that position public and private stakeholders to create approaches to childhood cancer prevention.
Support S.3283 – Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act
Reach out to your legislators to endorse S.3283 here
Each year, the United States uses over a billion pounds of pesticides accounting for approximately one fifth of worldwide use. In 2017 and 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency registered more than 100 pesticides containing ingredients considered to be dangerous.
In November 2021, Senator Booker (D-NJ) re-introduced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act (S.3283 PACTPA), a bill which was originally introduced in the 116th Congress by Representative Neguse’s (D-CO-2) Office in the House and Senator Udall’s (D-NM) Office in Senate. The bill would ban the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and our environment.
Some of the stipulations of the bill include:
A pesticide is deemed dangerous if the product or active ingredient is found to be carcinogenic, acutely toxic, an endocrine disruptor, harmful to pregnant women, or able to cause neurological or developmental damage
Pesticide ingredients are required to be registered determined to be safe in order to be used in pesticides
Any ingredient not registered is deemed to be dangerous and cannot be used in pesticides
Analysis of chemicals must use legitimate science and cannot take economic cost into consideration
The previous bill never went further past introduction in Congress, but we now have an opportunity to pass the Bill again. It is essential for the safety of families to advocate for the usage of safer chemicals, especially in pesticides. There is evidence to suggest that increased exposure to toxic pesticides has led to increasing childhood cancer rates. Join the growing number of businesses demanding the use of safer chemicals especially for children and families.
By signing this letter, you’re telling the two Senators who represent your state that business leaders support the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act and want them to endorse S.3283.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN
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Research and Data
