‘Wannabe Toxic-Free?’ From precautionary consumption to corporeal citizenship

Abstract

Ecological citizens are increasingly encouraged to adopt 'precautionary consumption' -a set of practices aimed at shielding them from the potential health harms of exposures to everyday toxics. The utility and the effects of precautionary consumption in relation to common chemical exposures are investigated. Precautionary consumption is not only of questionable utility, but is fundamentally misguided as an approach for inspiring antitoxics organizing. The failure of this approach is in part due to its assumption of a naturally bounded, autonomous individual who is able to maintain an impermeable boundary between herself and the environment. Drawing on the work of material feminist theorists, it is argued that Gabrielson and Parady's notion of corporeal citizenship, an approach that places bodies into a complex web of material, ecological relations entangled with the social, offers several strategic advantages for framing resistance strategies.

A Critique of Risk Disclosure as the Solution for Minimizing Toxic Exposures in Pregnancy

“…Its efficacy has also been questioned. 26 While these practices may change the situation for a select portion of the population, what of those who have some of the highest rates of toxic exposures and the least amount of agency to change their situation?…”

The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Environmental Health and Fertility Decision-Making

“…For instance, less toxic alternative products may not be available, and toxic substances such as phthalates and flame retardants are very difficult to avoid despite precautionary attempts to do so by individuals. 101,102 These substances are pervasive and rarely clearly labeled, while alternative products are expensive and difficult to obtain, so consumers are unlikely to be able to avoid exposures. 102 Precautionary consumption is also unable to account for everyday exposures to toxic substances through other mechanisms including the air, soil, and water, and which environmental justice research demonstrates are often unequally distributed.…”

“…101,102 These substances are pervasive and rarely clearly labeled, while alternative products are expensive and difficult to obtain, so consumers are unlikely to be able to avoid exposures. 102 Precautionary consumption is also unable to account for everyday exposures to toxic substances through other mechanisms including the air, soil, and water, and which environmental justice research demonstrates are often unequally distributed. 102,103 As women of lower socioeconomic status and women of color often experience disproportionate risks for exposure to EDCs, it is particularly concerning that there have been barriers reported by obstetricians in counseling these women, including a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials.…”

“…102 Precautionary consumption is also unable to account for everyday exposures to toxic substances through other mechanisms including the air, soil, and water, and which environmental justice research demonstrates are often unequally distributed. 102,103 As women of lower socioeconomic status and women of color often experience disproportionate risks for exposure to EDCs, it is particularly concerning that there have been barriers reported by obstetricians in counseling these women, including a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials. 2,16,104 Importantly, some professional organizations are beginning to recognize the limitations of placing the responsibility for reducing exposures solely on individual women.…”

Purity is Not the Point

“…The politics of material purity that underlays projects of clean up, avoidance, or antidote are anachronistic approaches to change; such purity is no longer available or was never viable to begin with ( Liboiron, 2016 ; Shotwell, 2016 ; Gray-Cosgrove, Liboiron, & Lepawsky, 2015 ; Nash, 2008 ; Latour, 2004 ). Scholars have called for a “corporeal citizenship” approach that places bodies and toxics into a complex web of material, ecological relations entangled with the social ( Scott, Haw, & Lee, 2017 ), or a focus on “residues” that will not be contained in time or space ( Boudia et al, 2018 ).…”