America's Top Baby Doc Swaps Focus From Colic Woes to Toxic Risks

LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Colic can directly trigger abuse, depression and SIDS. And, while chemical risks are less obvious, they are no less hazardous," warned Dr. Harvey Karp.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110426/LA89278)

On April 27th, Dr. Karp will participate in a national television satellite tour to address America's parents about the importance of federal regulations protecting children from chemical risks, sponsored by Earth Justice.

Today, Karp's position was strongly supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics in a report declaring the 1975 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) an abject failure.

Busy parents think their children are protected, but their trust is betrayed. Meant to protect us from thousands of new chemicals in our stores and homes, TSCA has regulated only 5 chemicals over the past 35 years. Of the top 3,000 chemicals, only 12 have been adequately tested for their effects on the developing brain. This is a stinging indictment of industry!

We float in a sea of chemicals, thousands of which never existed 30 years ago. The Environmental Working Group found newborns are contaminated with hundreds of chemicals even before birth. Is this safe? The frightening answer is, "No!"

For decades, doctors have reported more asthma, autism, attention deficit and even adult problems like testicular cancer and falling sperm counts. And now studies tie everyday chemicals to hyperactivity, genital birth defects and fetal pesticide exposure has been shown to rob children of precious IQ points. Even the terrible rise in autism may stem from chemicals.

Chemicals must be considered risky until proven safe, but TSCA "treats chemicals as innocent until proven guilty," noted Karp in a USA Today interview. It makes companies report new chemicals, but only 15% include health or safety data.

Repeated scandals have shown "better living through chemistry" is a great slogan…but it is a lie without the efforts of responsible industry leaders and oversight by government and nonprofit watchdog groups.

Dr. Karp is assistant professor of pediatrics, USC School of Medicine and board member of the Environmental Working Group, founder of Healthy Child/Healthy World and an advocate for children's environmental health working with the NRDC, AAP, Earth Justice, etc.

His landmark books/DVDs and thousands of Happiest Baby educators have popularized his cures for colic and temper tantrums and made him America's most read pediatrician.

Contact: Emily at [email protected] 310-207-1111 www.happiestbaby.com

SOURCE The Happiest Baby, Inc.