Watch CBS News

Documentary Raises Concerns About Safety Of Everyday Products

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - In a documentary premiering in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the safety of the products you use for just about everything from washing your hair to cleaning your countertops are questioned.

"The Human Experiment" asks why so many products go unregulated in the United States and what the long-term effects could be.

"We have 85,000 chemicals that are in commercial use and things that we touch and interact with every day. Only 200 of those have been reviewed by the EPA and only five have been regulated," Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, of Women for a Healthy Environment, said.

Naccarati-Chapkis talked to KDKA-TV ahead of the documentary premiere, scheduled for Wednesday night at the South Side Works Cinema.

She said one of the most harmful class of chemicals is altering hormones.

"These particular class of chemicals mimic or interfere with the natural hormones in our body and as a result, we're seeing things like infertility. That's being shown in the documentary," Naccarati-Chapkis said.

Naccarati-Chapkis said it can be easily overwhelming to think about what products are harmful or not and directed us to the environmental working group's website, where you can search for just about any household item or food.

"First thing we say is, you can't go home and throw away everything in your kitchen or in your closet, and start all over. You have to start with one product at a time," Naccarati-Chapkis said.

Stay With KDKA.com For More Details

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.