Another example of what should be a priority to us here in Vienna/ Boaz. But Ms. Powell in her desperation to find something/ anything to hang her hat on is not willing to address the immediate potential problems. Instead it is off on a tangent yet again on something that while important, is not this important.
From Callie Lyons:
26 November 2018 (Posted here 6:40 P.M. 26 November 2018)
NC PFAS Study: Higher Prevalence of Brain Birth Defects
RCNN Special Report
An analysis of birth defects and PFAS exposure in North Carolina turned up an unexplained prevalence of brain birth defects in the five counties studied - and beyond.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently released an analysis of four categories of birth defects in counties known to be impacted by exposure to Gen-X and other perfluorinated chemicals and found that while the prevalence of most types of birth defects examined in the study did not differ from statewide estimates, a higher prevalence of total brain defects was found in some areas. However, the higher prevalence of total brain defects was not limited to counties where Gen-X and other PFAS have been found in drinking water.
Further, the findings concluded:
“The prevalence of neural tube defects and one specific type of cardiac defect were higher in one county each as compared to the state as a whole. However, county-level estimates were based on small numbers of cases and the prevalence varied widely from year to year.”
The PFAS family of manmade chemicals includes PFOA – the Teflon toxin used at DuPont Washington Works, Gen-X – it’s replacement, PFOS – the Scotchgard chemical, and many other compounds known for their unnatural properties. They are present in food packaging, textiles, draperies, food coverings and countless other consumer products.
Readers familiar with the story of C8 in the Mid-Ohio Valley can appreciate this timeline. Long before the Tennants’ lost their cattle to a mysterious wasting disease, (which would lead to the discovery of C8 in water supplies surrounding DuPont Washington Works) DuPont was reacting to the startling incidence of birth defects in babies born to mothers who worked in the Teflon Division. Specifically, two babies were born with facial birth defects out of a seven babies born to women who worked there. In 1981 the company responded by removing all of the women from the Teflon Division permanently.
However, it is worth noting that the C8 Science Panel, which linked six human health conditions to C8 exposure in the Mid-Ohio Valley, did not find a probable link to birth defects. The health conditions found to be related to C8 exposure in people who were drinking water contaminated with the industrial solvent included: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, pre-eclampsia and medically-diagnosed high cholesterol. (This could easily be another "Canary in the Mine" moment just as I noted in my posting on Drugs)?
The North Carolina DHHS analysis of the birth defect data was performed “to address concerns raised during the state’s ongoing investigation into Gen-X and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also referred to as PFAS.” The report noted that there is no national data available for comparison. (This is very similar yet again as my postings in support of Ms. Powell's concerns on the Transite Pipes while having insufficient data to support any real issues? I have no question on the validity of the issue, just the timing while stating that we need to look at what is important now and other issues later. I am just reversing that as we do have data that supports the cause and effects of the C8. And potentially the replacement Chemical Gen-X is following the same path?)
“Brain and spinal cord defects, facial clefts, heart defects and skeletal defects were chosen for this analysis because they have been included in previous studies of PFAS exposure or because associations with PFAS have been suggested in studies of laboratory animals,” according to the report. “No birth defects have been definitively linked to PFAS exposure in humans. Because birth defects can be caused by a complex mix of genetic, medical, behavioral and environmental factors, no conclusions regarding links between PFAS or other exposures and birth defects can be drawn from this analysis.”
The state said it will continue to monitor geographic variations in the occurrence of birth defects and is developing plans to specifically examine the occurrence of brain anomalies across the state". 'nuff said'.