“Every child is affected by PVC,” Phaedra C. Pezzullo said.

This was the heart of a speech she gave. Pezzullo is assistant professor of communication and culture at Indiana University and author of the book “Toxic Tourism.” In her speech, Pezzullo focused on the work of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, an organization actively trying to reduce the exposure of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) to fetuses and young children.

Pezzullo said she is also concerned for children as they are more at risk for toxic chemicals.

“Exposure begins in the womb through the mother’s exposure to toxic chemicals,” she said. “Babies are being born pre-polluted.”

Although PVC is commonly found in number 3 plastics, it can also be found in everyday products used by children, such as baby bibs, toys and diapers.

Pezzullo said PVC is rapidly becoming more prevalent in society.

“It’s always challenging because the more we make connections, the more we realize it’s everywhere,” she said. “Every time you turn around, there’s something with PVC.”

Pezzullo said the Center for Health, Environment and Justice uses one of the most common toys for children, the rubber duck, as the mascot for their campaign against PVC.

“It symbolizes everyday products that contain PVC and risk children’s health,” she said.

Pezzullo said these hazardous chemicals can lead to an array of health problems for the fetus.

She said that four in 24 babies born today are born with a defect, as a stillborn or result in miscarriage. She also said the chemicals found in PVC include cancer, asthma and autism.

Pezzullo said fetal health care is unfortunately being prevented by the lack of satisfactory chemical policies to protect them.

“There are little resources beyond individual choice, and those are not adequate,” she said.

She said that in a study on the effects of pregnant women, 232 toxic chemicals were found in the umbilical cords of pregnant women.

Pezzullo said that although people may talk about abortion, they find it hard to talk about fetal health. She said that those people should still show care towards the cause.

“Pro-choice (individuals) should care about the campaign because if you care about the fetus, you (should) care about the fetus being affected by toxic chemicals.”

Pezzullo said recently having a child of her own drove her to constantly research items that would expose her child to toxic chemicals and was often surprised by her findings.

“You go to Toys ‘R’ Us and think it will be OK, and it’s not because (they’re) not regulated right now,” she said. “We need to focus on structural change.”

Pezzullo wanted to share her discoveries on which products are safe with others.

“I shared so they don’t have to do the work and look for a more affordable way,” she said.

Kristen Schaibly, a senior English major, said she learned a lot about fetal health issues from Pezullo’s speech.

“It raised issues that I wasn’t previously aware of,” she said.

Pezullo said students looking for more information on the PVC movement can visit the Center for Health, Environment and Justice website.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or smhall3@eiu.edu.