New Episode of Earth Focus Exposes the Truth Behind Everyday Chemicals

13, 2013 -- Americans are exposed to tens of thousands of man-made chemicals

that are largely unregulated and untested for safety. Exposure to even very low

doses of common chemicals like phthalates and BPA can have health risks

behind the most ubiquitous chemicals in ordinary products. The new episode

premieres Thursday, Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on Link TV (DirecTV 375, DISH Network

9410) and Friday, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m. on KCET (Southern California).

The

steady growth of chemical exposure continues in our air, water, food and food

packaging, in everyday consumer products for the home and workplace, in

agriculture and in cosmetics. Only a fraction of chemicals commercially

available in the United States have been safety tested. Now scientists are

finding links between chemicals in wide use and increases in leukemia, brain,

breast and childhood cancers as well as asthma, certain birth defects, and in

learning and development disorders including autism and ADHD.

This

can affect development, metabolism, fertility and intelligence at even

extremely low doses, and looks at measures needed to better protect public

safety.  Funding for UNSAFE: The Truth Behind Everyday Chemicals was provided by

Rachel's Network, a

national nonprofit organization that harnesses the collective impact of women

environmental philanthropists.

Earth Focus is a

groundbreaking series that features investigative reports on the state of our

planet's environment and its impact on people all over the world. For more information, visit: http://www.linktv.org/earthfocus or kcet.org/earth_focus

KCETLink, formed by the

merger between KCET and Link Media, is a national independent, nonprofit,

digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality, culturally diverse

programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and

transformative ways. With a commitment to independent perspectives, smart

global entertainment, local communities, and opportunities for engagement and

social action, KCETLink depicts people and the world through a lens

unavailable elsewhere in U.S. media. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization,

KCETLink content is distributed nationally via satellite on Link TV

- DirecTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410 - and on KCET in

Southern and Central California via broadcast and cable, as well as through

various digital delivery systems. For additional information about KCET and

Link TV productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community

events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.