Indeed the movie “287″ is about our environmental health, particular our personal environments; but, it is a moral issue over anything else. Corporations and their enablers must end their use of synthetic chemicals in the production of their products. There are clearly natural, safer alternatives–and too much evidence historically, medically and scientifically that synthetic chemicals are putting our health in jeopardy.

Government agencies are their enablers since they invariably continue to allow the now estimated 100,000 synthetic chemicals into our lives effectively unchecked. The FDA in US has reviewed only up to 15% (this is probably too high) of these. Many synthetic chemicals in use in N.A. are banned elsewhere in the world. Their synergies, how these chemicals interact when they cross paths in our kitchen, our garage or even our liver–remains 100% unchecked. This is the most frightening monster in the closet.

Colors, dyes, fragrances, additives, surfactants, emulsifiers, preservatives, pesticides–the list of synthetic chemicals under these guises is endless. Many are petroleum-based; all are irritants. The lion’s share of synthetic chemicals are carcinogens (cancer causing), endocrine distrupters (interfere with hormones), mutagens (causes genetic damage), neurotoxins (affects brain and nervous system). Some cause immediate reactions, occasionally leading to death. Others accumulate in our bodies until they supercede the allowed amount–this is the tipping point. Corporations wax poetic about dosage and parts-per-million (PPM) but always fail to talk about accumulation in our bodies. Consider the fact that these chemicals are in almost everything you use or come in contact with every day. Bioaccumulation may take place across several unrelated products too. It’s simply too much of a bad thing. Nature made has been losing ground to man made chemicals since 1906 when the US government launched the Pure Food and Drug Act leaving the burden to government to prove if a product was safe.

Getting synthetic chemicals out of our childrens’ bodies and our daily lives is a moral issue. Who among those who profiteer from them will be the first to announce a schedule to cease?

Will our governments give to those corporations who commit to safe solutions, tax breaks, “emission” credits, subsidies–or even give the fledgling, green corporations who are committed to the natural health cause some slack.

While governments play the economy card as a cause of inaction, it is human capital which drives the economy–not the 1% of shareholders who effectively control business. Men and women in blue collars in the plants are the first victims of synthetic chemicals poisoning because of their concentration in short periods of time. Case in point, the diacetyl used in microwave popcorn was found as chief cause of incurable pulmonary illness in its employees in a US court. The first lawsuit launched this year by a consumer, a heavy-user of microwave popcorn at home who has developed the same incurable pulmonary illness, is a sign of the times and proof of bioaccumulation. There was no warning on the popcorn packages. Likewise there are few if any warnings on most consumer products about the contents and their possible outcomes. Labels conceal ingredients especially under the “industry secret” guise. There are toxic hidden ingredients that are not considered part of the contents in their containers; yet, they are present. Bisphenol A (shown to have developmental toxicity, carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity)  used to line 85% of cans, also used in baby bottles and water bottles do not diclose this chemical on their labels. Phthalates “thallets” (a  plastic softener) are also present in plastic bottles; these too are not mentioned.

There truly is no one organization ensuring that we enjoy 100% safety from the effects of synthetic chemicals–only ”guidelines” which fuel lobbyists and PR persons with talking points. But there are authentic organizations like the EWG mitigating to have these removed. And the NRDC is not far off the apple tree.

The day may come when USA HMOs will use their citizens’ inadvertent absorption of synthetic chemicals as a reason to decline coverage in their ambiguous clauses–they have used lesser excuses.

Enough said. It is a moral imperative-not a moral dilemma.

“287″ is a no brainer as a personal epic that touches every man, woman and child on the planet. Our hope is that 287 will trigger people to reclaim their vitality and longevity.