In response to Valerie McClain’s recent posting (4/10/05)(originally posted
by Judy Ritchie, 4/9/05, "Spring 2005 WA State Newsletter") about the Toxic-
Free Legacy Coalition ad campaign, we agree with her observation that the
image of a breastfeeding mother and baby is indeed beautiful. We also
agree with breastfeeding advocates that women should not have to worry
about whether their babies are exposed to environmental contaminants
through breast milk or in the womb— and that we should prevent industry
from putting toxic chemicals in the environment and our bodies in the first
place.
Breastfeeding is a profound act, vital to the health of the child and
benefiting the mother as well. Yet the fact is that toxic chemicals are
building up in our bodies and in mothers’ breast milk. To many of us, this
is an injustice and an outrage. It is also frustrating that healthy
lifestyle choices, while helpful, cannot keep our bodies free of toxic
contaminants. So where do we go from here?
Advocates are working in Washington State and nationwide to protect the
health of our children by developing policies banning the use of chemicals
that are appearing in our bodies and in our breast milk. Educating the
public about the issue and empowering people to take action is vital to
successfully phasing out toxic chemicals. At the same time, advocacy
campaigns must not contribute to misinformation about breastfeeding. That
is why the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition has been and continues to be
committed to working with our partners in the breastfeeding community.
Our ad was the product of collaborative discussions with breastfeeding
experts and advocates. We discussed at great length how to develop a
responsible message, which would inform the public about toxic chemicals in
breast milk, promote breastfeeding, and elicit action. While we appreciate
McClain’s concerns and commitment to breastfeeding, the ad clearly states
its purpose with the all-caps message, “LET’S BAN THESE DANGEROUS CHEMICALS
AND KEEP OUR BABIES SAFE.”
The ad also contains the prominent text, “Women should continue to
breastfeed and insist that these chemicals be banned” and discusses the
benefits of breastfeeding. This message communicates a key point: while
the presence of toxic chemicals in our bodies signals the urgent need to
phase out these pollutants, studies indicate that breastfeeding is still
the healthiest option for mothers and babies. Among the many health
benefits, breastfeeding has been shown to reduce mothers’ risk of pre-
menopausal breast cancer.
The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition is proud to be collaborating with the
breastfeeding community and specifically with the Breastfeeding Coalition
of Washington (BCW). Our partnership over the past two years goes beyond
this ad campaign. For example, the BCW is developing a brochure about
toxic chemicals in breast milk for families and website resources for
health professionals. Breastfeeding advocates and environmental health
advocates have brought this issue to Washington state medical associations
and their membership. Breastfeeding advocates and mothers helping with
this campaign have given moving testimony to state legislators.
Breastfeeding experts have also participated in a Department of Ecology
stakeholder committee, driving the phase out process for toxic flame
retardants in Washington state and contributing to proposed legislation to
ban these chemicals.
This experience has helped the environmental health community better
understand the challenges women face when breastfeeding, including the lack
of access to accurate, evidenced-based information. We have also seen how
breastfeeding advocates and moms can play a powerful role in setting
groundbreaking policies to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals, and
ultimately protect breast milk and our children’s health.
To succeed in banning these chemicals and keeping our children safe,
environmental health advocates and breastfeeding advocates need to continue
to collaborate in order to present an accurate, unified, and responsible
message.
Sibyl Diver, Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition
Laurie Valeriano, Washington Toxics Coalition
Nancy Dickeman, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
Pam Tazioli, The Breast Cancer Fund
Submitted by Kimberly Radtke on behalf of the organizations listed above.
Kimberly Radtke, Program Coordinator
Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington
11000 Lake City Way NE, Suite 301
Seattle, WA 98125
206.281.8032 (p)
206.270.8891 (f)
www.hmhbwa.org
Promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding as a vital part of the
health and development of children and their families.
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