No parent wants to expose his or her child to potential neurotoxins. That’s why a group of scientists, health officials, and environmental activists launched Project TENDR: Targeting Environmental Neuro-Developmental Risks and issued a call to action to “reduce widespread exposures to chemicals that interfere with fetal and children’s brain development.” Unfortunately, Project TENDR has taken this laudable goal a few paces too far by inviting hyperbole into their otherwise reasonable message. It’s well established that exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, in childhood can have significant neurological impacts. But Project TENDR accuses a wide range of frequently used chemicals, included phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, PCBs, perchlorate, of causing developmental damage based on flimsy or non-existent evidence. Read more.
