David Carpenter, MD, Director of the SUNY Albany, Institute for Health and the Environment; Dr. Susan Hathaway, Director of the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department; Jon Montan, St. Lawrence County Planning Office; Lewis M. Shepard, Cancer Detecti
On August 5, 2010, a conference on the subject of carcinogenic POPs in the US food supply and county public health department strategies to reduce exposure was convened by Cancer Action NY. The participants in the conference were: David Carpenter, MD, Director of the SUNY Albany, Institute for Health and the Environment; Dr. Susan Hathaway, Director of the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department; Jon Montan, St. Lawrence County Planning Office; Lewis M. Shepard, Cancer Detective, affiliated with Cancer Action, NY; Michelle A. Reed, Cancer Detective affiliated with Cancer Action NY; Donald L. Hassig, Director, Cancer Action NY; Brent Buchanan, St. Lawrence County, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dairy Specialist; Jana Fults, Field Representative, Congressman Bill Owens, 23rd Congressional District. The participants engaged in a very substantive discussion of the scientific knowledge concerning POPs contamination of the US food supply and federal, state and county strategies to decrease exposure. Consensus existed on the critical need for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory action that would bring an end to the agricultural practice involving the feeding of waste animal fat to food animals. Additionally, the need for efforts to raise public awareness of the existence of this food contamination problem was recognized by a high percentage of the conference participants. Background information is provided below. ____________________________________________________________
Conference Announcement 8/3/10 For Immediate Release
David O. Carpenter, MD Director, SUNY Albany Institute for Health and the Environment 518.525.2660
Donald L. Hassig Director, Cancer Action NY 315.262.2456
Lewis M. Shepard Cancer Detective Affiliated with Cancer Action NY 315.386.4589
Michelle Reed Cancer Detective Affiliated with Cancer Action NY 315.375.4512 _______________________________________________________________
Teleconference: Carcinogenic POPs In The Food Supply And Strategies To Decrease Exposure With A Focus On Exposure Reduction Education By County Public Health Departments
"Cancer kills more Americans than any other disease except heart disease. Most cancers are caused by some environmental exposure. But many of the chemicals that cause cancer, and are present in our food, also cause heart disease. Consequently, it is extremely important that we get chemical carcinogens out of our food supply. The chemicals of greatest concern include fat soluble substances like dioxins and PCBs, which are found in all animal fats, as well as pesticides that are found as residues of vegetables and fruits. The recycling of waste animal fat into animal feed is one particular pathway for contamination of animal products that must be stopped. In order to reduce the risk of development of cancer (as well as heart and many other diseases) we need to change the way that agriculture uses chemicals both on crops and in animal foods."--David O. Carpenter, MD
"As a member of the NYS Cancer Consortium, Cancer Action NY advocates for a specific focus on reducing exposure to carcinogenic POPs in the second New York State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan that will be finalized in 2010.
In 2010, Cancer Action NY commenced an initiative to educate local policy makers concerning the cancer risk imposed by consumption of animal fat foods all of which are contaminated with carcinogenic POPs. We are seeking town, city and county government adoption of our carcinogenic POPs exposure reduction education resolution. Thus far, six town boards and one village council have adopted the cancer prevention education resolution. In order to accomplish major progress toward the education of Americans concerning carcinogenic POPs exposure reduction, Cancer Action NY is advocating for federal, New York State and county legislation that will delegate responsibility for review of scientific literature, production of exposure reduction public health messages, and conduct of public educational outreach to the county public health departments. Once federal legislation has been created, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences should assume responsibility for the first two tasks listed above. At this time, county governments make the best government partners in providing Americans with scientific knowledge that directs cancer preventive actions."--Donald L. Hassig
For further information: Donald L. Hassig, Director Cancer Action NY Cancer Action Network 315.262.2456 www.canceractionny.org
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