Living the Science: Our Philosophy. We believe that reducing exposure to dangerous chemicals begins with increasing individual and community-wide understanding of specific chemicals and their potentially toxic effects on human development and health. We believe that with increased knowledge will come a greater commitment to Living the Science, that is, making choices that reflect this outlook. This includes choosing safe, clean, and green products, supporting organizations that work to increase awareness and reduce exposures to dangerous chemicals, and supporting science that encourages focused work aimed at answering critical questions about chemicals and their effects on humans.

Around Us and In Us. Environmental toxins and contaminants are everywhere and in all likelihood, in everyone. In the Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on the levels of 148 environmental chemicals tested in blood and urine samples from thousands of children and adults in the United States. Nearly all of these chemicals were found to be present at detectable levels in all of the groups studied and included heavy metals, chemicals from tobacco smoke (e.g. cotinine), phytoestrogens, hydrocarbons, phthalates, insecticides, herbicides, and dozens of other chemicals.

What About Me? What the study by the CDC study and other’s like it have clearly shown is that we all have been and will continue to be exposed to toxins and contaminants. In other words, if you took the list of the 148 chemicals used in the CDC study to your local laboratory, gave them some of your blood and urine (or that of anyone in your family), and asked them to measure your specimens for these chemicals, in all likelihood, most of these chemicals would be found along with hundreds of others not being tested for.

Our Site. We designed this site to support the Living the Science philosophy. The site is driven by feature articles and brief summaries about specific chemicals and groups of chemicals that have recently received attention due to scientific findings. Our goal is to inform consumers about recent findings and help them better understand the relationship between the science and safe products.

About Us. Living the Science was founded by Michael and Laura Pawlowski who started Living the Science as way to share information about the effects of chemicals on human health and strategies for avoiding them. Michael and Laura met while working at company doing research on the causes of birth defects. Laura works as a scientist doing research on the effects of toxins on pregnancy and on the prenatal detection of birth defects. Michael works in software development and technology. They live in Northern California with their daughter and their Great Dane Hannah.

The larger Living the Science community includes other contributors and editors, scientists, concerned parents, community leaders and interested consumers. Please consider joining us in our efforts!

Feel free to contact us with comments and questions.