Profitable Pollutants

Ecologist

15th May, 2008

It usually takes a major public health crisis to remove profitable toxins completely from marketplace. In the meantime most of us continue to be exposed to a variety of profitable poisons, including:

Fluoride

Sold as the solution for all our dental woes in major-brand toothpaste, this chemical is also routinely added to the water supply of some six million Brits. Historically used as a rat poison, fluoride is linked to cancer, brittle bones and thyroid disease.

MTBE

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is used as an additive for petrol. Primarily through leaks and spills, massive quantities of MTBE are known to have entered the environment, polluting soil and, more alarmingly, water supplies. MTBE is a known health risk and many US states have banned its use. The Bush administration aborted plans for a nationwide ban.

Aspartame

One of the world’s most popular artificial sweeteners. Studies have shown it to be a neurological toxin, as well as a potential carcinogen. In spite of this, aspartame is widely used in everything from soft drinks to children’s medicines. Manufacturers are now working on a ‘safer’ version called neotame.

Flame retardants

Brominated flame retardants (BFR) are used to prevent electronics, clothes and furniture from catching fire....

 

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