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Here's CBC News' Marketplace investigation special Toxic Brew about household chemicals
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 Why go au naturale, anyway?Detoxification takes up the largest amount of our body's biochemical effort. Each person's normal metabolism produces a certain amount of waste (like used neurotransmitters and hormones) that must be processed and rendered harmless. The foods we eat should provide us with the necessary material for normal detoxification. Otherwise, the toxins build up in our bodies and begin to interfere with the health of our cells, causing malfunctions and disease. Whenever we under-fund our metabolic budget by not eating well, we compromise our immune system. Each time we expose our bodies to an additional toxin, we risk overloading our detoxification system. Doing this is pretty much like repeatedly ingesting poison. While isolated exposure to one or a few toxins does not guarantee death or disease, continued exposure to a number of them will very likely affect the quality of our lives. The Toxic Load is a key point when discussing pollution. Our bodies form potential cancers every day that the immune system can deal with. The problem arises when exposure is so great that our immune system is overburdened. Our organs are so busy trying to process toxins that we develop allergies and diseases much more readily. As many of us already know, birth defects and cancer are linked to chemicals in our environment. Many other health problems like reproductive and neurological disorders as well as respiratory diseases are also strongly linked to chemical exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that prevalence of asthma in the U.S. has jumped by 75% between 1980 and 1994. It is the leading cause of hospital admissions for children. It has been thought that outdoor air pollution is largely to blame but research shows the greater threat is indoor pollution. The EPA states, "[A] growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors." Besides eating wisely to support the detox process, we must limit exposure to toxins in our environment. The first step in doing this is to learn which pollutants to avoid. Biological pollutants include pollen, mold, mildew and dander from pests like cockroaches and dust mites. Gases like carbon monoxide and radon also should be kept in check. Numerous toxic chemicals are found in everything from cleaning supplies to carpets and pesticides. It's important to realize that just because the federal government allows these ingredients does not indicate they are scientifically proven to be safe. In fact, many of the chemicals in household products have not even been thoroughly tested, particularly on humans and in long-term contexts. Pollutants are more likely to collect and concentrate indoors where we spend most of our time. Poisons used for indoor pests usually persist longer than they would outside. Building materials tend to produce more pollutants as they age, such as dust from deteriorating carpets and lead from interior paint. It is especially important to protect air quality in places where people spend long hours, especially for those whose immune systems are more susceptible like infants, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are ill. Here are some categories of toxins to be familiar with: Carcinogens are substances that cause cancer. They can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested. They can either initiate damage to cellular structure or promote abnormal cell growth, leading to tumors. Carcinogens are prevalent in products ranging from pesticides and paint strippers to cosmetics. Formaldehyde, for example, is a carcinogen found in carpet glues, furniture and in building materials like particleboard, fiberboard and plywood. It is also found in cleaning products and detergents. One particularly prevalent carcinogenic compound found in homes is perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA). Fast food containers migrate fluorotelomers via food grease into our bodies, where it is then converted into PFOAs. See more information below on perfluorochemicals. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) The Risk Assessment Forum of the Environmental Protection Agency defines this as "an exogenous agent that interferes with the synthesis, secretion, transport, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction, development and/or behavior." (Risk Assessment Forum EPA/630/R-96?012 February 1997). Essentially, these are synthetic chemicals found in cosmetics, soaps, pesticides, etc. that interfere with our hormones, which in turn affects how we develop and function. While the EPA claims there is insubstantial evidence of the impact these have on humans, there are well-documented scientific studies that show their impact on other living organisms. The WWF (World Wildlife Foundation) states on its website, "The effects of endocrine disruptors on animals are varied -- ranging from alligators born with abnormally small phalluses and birds with crossed beaks, to the sudden disappearance of entire populations. Wildlife researchers over the last few years have unearthed a variety of endocrine disruptor-related effects: interrupted sexual development; thyroid system disorders; inability to breed; reduced immune response; and abnormal mating and parenting behavior. Species such as terns, gulls, harbor seals, bald eagles, beluga whales, lake trout, alligators, turtles, and others, have suffered more than one of these effects." Perfluorochemicals (PFCs, PFOS & PFOA) feature chains of carbon atoms of varying lengths, to which fluorine atoms are strongly bonded, yielding a practically indestructible chemical that does not degrade. These are found in stain-resistant, water-resistant and non-stick products. In studies the 3M Company submitted to the government in 2001, scientists reported finding PFOA in the blood of 96 percent of 598 children tested in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Once introduced, these continue in the body for years. If new exposures stopped, the body would require about 4 1/2 years to excrete half the accumulated mass of PFOA in organs and tissues. These chemicals are linked to breast, testicular and prostate cancers, reproductive and hormonal damage, as well as organ damage. Phthalates ("THAY-lates") are plasticizers derived from petroleum used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and synthetic fragrances, among other things. As their purpose is to lengthen the life of fragrances and soften plastics, they are often found in cosmetics, perfumes, wood finishes and the like. They've been known to damage reproductive systems in animals and two human studies have suggested lower testosterone levels and demasculinized traits in male babies of mothers with higher levels of phthalates in their breast milk. The Food and Drug Administration permits general labels instead of specific ingredient names, so look for the general term "fragrance" and stay away from food storage products that stretch. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are found in electronic casings and some furniture foams. These have similar chemical characteristics to the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) banned in the late '70s and are known to cause damage to the nervous system, including brain damage in utero. PBDEs have been found in plastic electronics casings, foam in upholstered furniture and in household dust. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) comprise hundreds of natural and man-made, carbon-based agents. They react quickly with other carbon-based compounds and evaporate easily. They are also a major contributing factor to ozone, an air pollutant. According to the EPA, VOCs tend to be even higher (two to five times) in indoor air than outdoor air. They are linked to cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. VOCs are found in anything from paints, cleaning agents, and carpet to deodorants and cosmetics. For further information: BeyondHealth.com The Body Burden – Pollution in People from the Environmental Working Group The Chronic Syndrome Support Organization Cancer Prevention Coalition The Ecology Center's Plastic Task Force EnviroHealthAction.org Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 113, Number 10, October 2005 - EDCs Fact Sheet: Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-Toxic Household Products - EPA reprinted from the Tennesse Valley Authority's Regional Waste Management Authority GreenFacts.org on EDCs Household Product Database from the National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health and Specialized Information Services Household Toxins Institute Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals – sponsored by The American Lung Association (ALA), The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and The American Medical Association (AMA) Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project Right To Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheets from NJ Dept. of Health and Senior Services' Right to Know Program Scorecard – Chemical Profile Search Top 20 Hazardous Substances as listed by the Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry      |
Why go au naturale, anyway?
Detoxification takes up the largest amount of our body’s biochemical effort. Each person’s normal metabolism produces a certain amount of waste (like used neurotransmitters and hormones) that must be processed and... Read More »
Why Organic Home? "Have a bias towards action. Let's see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away."
--Indira Gandhi  |