Asthma UK Comment On The Department Of Health's Response To The House Of Lords Science And Technology Committee Report On Allergy

Not Pollen But Petrochemicals In The Environment

Allergists seem to be hung up on pollens, dust mites, unaware that the toxicology of petrochemicals, especially those of the isocyanate group, are notorious for their pulmonary and skin irritant/allergen capacity. Due to ubiquitous role in our modern environment these chemicals most probably are producing the"asthma epidemic", "sick building syndrome" and, most likely also, severe systemic allergic reactions during extensive and risky medical proceedures, where polyurethane is so commonly used for tubing, scoping, instruments, implants, blood preparation and storage.

It is 50 years since the asthma epidemic became evident and it is 50 years since the petrochemical products came into common use: plastics for all uses, medical instruments, to coat latex gloves and fool everyone into thinking latex allergy is the problem while the "powder" goes unlabeled; tools, building materials, paints, glues, flooring, fabrics, upholstery, rugs, dyes, slick print, found in all homes and office buildings; "stretch" clothing (lycra spandex just the most common brand name, in every pair of sock, jeans. Polyurethane which hangs heavy in the air of every clothing store; food packaging and extensive refrigeration in grocery stores, where also use of plastic bags is discouraged by selling polyurethane shopping bags carrying logos of the store, each making the polyurethane laden air into an asthma/contact dermatitis/severe systemic allergy breeding ground.

It is high time to get with it, learn how to test for polyurethane sensitivity, asthma, dermatitis, systemic allergy, without injuring patients, and time to get the Asian and European countries making the Carbon emitting first phase plastics to reduce global climate change by contolling those emissions. It is not likely the US Govt is interested in reducing polyurethane use.....products made here in the US is responsible for 10% of the US economy, 10% of our exports to other nations.

Remember Bohpal, mid 1980's where eventually a million people died as a result of the

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