This is a huge topic and will be the focus of a number of posts, but for now I want to get some of these resources up for people who are asking for them. So often people allude to "environmental toxicity" as a cause or contributor to disease, but what do they mean by that? What exactly are these toxins, where do our exposures to them come from, and what do we know about them? People sometimes question whether there is science behind these fears, while others become frustrated with how pervasive the problem is and throw up their hands in defeat, saying that there is simply too much for us to avoid so why even try. For those of us who know we have been harmed by some of these toxins it can be painful to find out just how much was known, how early, and yet we were still allowed to be harmed. Yes, there has been some "better living through chemistry" (which comes from a marketing slogan from DuPont when it was trying to save it's destroyed public image back in the 1930s), but this progress has been reckless and has ended and destroyed many, many lives, and those lives matter too.
The cost of a polluted environment: 1.7 million child deaths a year, says WHO.
For my post about environmental sources of metals, go here. This post focuses on other toxins mostly.
GENERAL SOURCES FOR INFORMATION:
TOXNET is part of the NIH National Library of Medicine and is an incredible resource. It contains links to many databases with various toxicology information, such as the Hazardous Substances Data Bank, which has peer-reviewed toxicology info for over 5,000 toxic chemicals, another one with over 4 million literature references regarding the toxicity and effects of drugs and toxic chemicals, another with interactive maps health data and EPA data such as superfund sites, even databases of info about the effects of drugs on lactating and pregnant women and on reproduction.
HealthyStuff this site provides information about toxic chemicals that can be found in everyday items such as toys, children's car seats, jewelry, and building materials. It has a searchable database and reports on specific types of products.
Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families this is a consumer watchdog and advocacy group working to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals in the US. The site contains information and news releases about toxic chemicals.
The Collaborative on Health and the Environment has a database that allows you to select a disease and see which toxic chemicals are associated with it, ranked by how strong the evidence is to support the link.
This page from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences discusses chemicals that are endocrine disrupters, including what they are and how they work. Chemicals with endocrine disrupting abilities include BPA, some flame retardants, dioxins, many pesticides, PCBs, and many more.
This page from TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) has information about some specific toxins found in our food supply and environment.
This post from The Autism File called Green Home…Healthy Kids gives more information on a wide variety of hazardous chemicals found in and around our homes, such as personal care products, cleaning products, and electronics.
It turns out that many of these harmful chemicals are ending up in human breastmilk and being passed along to babies at a susceptible age.
GENERAL AND WIDESPREAD SOURCES OF TOXICITY
The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health
"Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some
of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as
diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food
packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also
responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the
earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic
life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main
feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent
of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not
fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted."
Human Health and Ocean Pollution
"Pollution - unwanted waste released to air, water, and land by human
activity - is the largest environmental cause of disease in the world
today. It is responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths
per year, enormous economic losses, erosion of human capital, and
degradation of ecosystems. Ocean pollution is an important, but
insufficiently recognized and inadequately controlled component of
global pollution. It poses serious threats to human health and
well-being. The nature and magnitude of these impacts are only beginning
to be understood.
"
"Methylmercury and PCBs are the ocean pollutants whose human health effects are best understood. Exposures of infants in utero
to these pollutants through maternal consumption of contaminated
seafood can damage developing brains, reduce IQ and increase children's
risks for autism, ADHD and learning disorders. Adult exposures to
methylmercury increase risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia."
"Manufactured chemicals - phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, and
perfluorinated chemicals, many of them released into the seas from
plastic waste - can disrupt endocrine signaling, reduce male fertility,
damage the nervous system, and increase risk of cancer. HABs produce
potent toxins that accumulate in fish and shellfish. When ingested,
these toxins can cause severe neurological impairment and rapid death.
HAB toxins can also become airborne and cause respiratory disease."
PHTHALATES and PLASTICS
The website Toxic-Free Future has specific information about phthalates, where we are exposed to them, and how to reduce our exposure. Phthalates are not chemically bound to the products they're in so they easily migrate out and contaminate the products and environment around them.The site has a section with research-based reports on a variety of topics around human health and toxic exposure that are worth checking out.
"Because phthalates are so widely used in building materials as well as
products used indoors, they are widespread indoor pollutants.
Products like vinyl flooring, shower curtains, and toys release
phthalates over time to the air and they build up in dust. With their
greater hand-to-mouth behavior and more contact with the floor, children
are likely to have greater exposure through ingesting contaminated
dust."
"Studies by the CDC find that women consistently have higher exposure to
certain phthalates, likely because of greater use of
phthalate-containing cosmetics and personal care products. Women of color have particularly high exposures to these phthalates."
"Phthalates are well-known for their ability to disrupt the hormonal
system, with extensive laboratory research concluding that exposure to
phthalates reduces testosterone levels and leads to an array of male
reproductive problems. Effects include malformations in
organs needed for sperm development, hypospadias (abnormal urinary
openings), and undescended testes. Studies in people provide
evidence that exposure levels are already high enough that they may be
harming male reproductive development."
Phthalates and attributable mortality: A population-based longitudinal cohort study and cost analysis
"Cardiovascular mortality was significantly increased in relation to a
prominent DEHP metabolite, mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl)phthalate.
Extrapolating to the population of 55–64 year old Americans, we
identified 90,761–107,283 attributable deaths and $39.9–47.1 billion in
lost economic productivity."
"In a nationally representative sample, phthalate exposures were
associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, with societal
costs approximating $39 billion/year or more. While further studies are
needed to corroborate observations and identify mechanisms, regulatory
action is urgently needed."
Forever Toxic: The science on health threats from plastic recycling
How to avoid toxic chemicals hidden in your food, makeup, and toiletries that affect hormones and increase your risk of early death
"Ortho-phthalates, or phthalates for short, are a family of chemical
compounds that can be found in hundreds, if not thousands, of the
products you buy. The synthetic chemicals are commonly used to
soften plastic into bendy vinyl, and they can achieve the same
plasticizing effect in nail polish and hairspray. But in humans, too
much exposure to phthalates can get in the way of important hormone
function."
The EPA has a voluntary program called Safer Choice that certifies personal care and household products that have met it's guidelines for safety of ingredients. The criteria for meeting the standard are listed in this document, but are not easy to summarize. The list of approved products can be searched here Search the EPA's Safer Choice Standard List of Products
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS:
The Environmental Working Group's (EWG's) Skin Deep database has information about toxic chemicals in personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoo, and sunscreen.
This page from EWG has specific and updated information about safety testing sunscreens.
Lead, cadmium, arsenic, and other heavy metals in toothpaste
8 Products That Contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (And How To Avoid Them)
The Cost of Inaction: A Socioeconomic analysis of costs linked to effects of endocrine disrupting substances on male reproductive health
Supplements can be a source of lead and other toxins
TOXICITY IN WATER:
The EPA has a website called AirNow that gives you information about the air quality in your specific area.
Health Effects of Lead Exposure (from the CDC)
"No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low
levels of lead in blood have been shown to negatively affect a child’s
intelligence, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement."
"Lead exposure occurs when a child comes in contact with lead by touching, swallowing, or breathing in lead or lead dust."
Environmental Working Group's
National Drinking Water Database allows you to search by zip code to find out what is in local drinking water.
"Around the country, utilities have been leaving lead pipe in the ground
even when it is easiest to remove during water main work. Worse, they
have been removing sections, disturbing the pipe and leaving the rest,
which can spike lead levels, causing harm that will last a lifetime, an
investigation by The Associated Press has found."
Predictions of groundwater PFAS occurrence at drinking water supply depths in the United States
"Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known colloquially as
“forever chemicals,” have been associated with adverse human health
effects and have contaminated drinking water supplies across the United
States owing to their long-term and widespread use. People in the United
States may unknowingly be drinking water that contains PFAS because of a
lack of systematic analysis, particularly in domestic water supplies.
We present an extreme gradient–boosting model for predicting the
occurrence of PFAS in groundwater at the depths of drinking water supply
for the conterminous United States. Our model results indicate that 71
million to 95 million people in the conterminous United States
potentially rely on groundwater with detectable concentrations of PFAS
for their drinking water supplies before any treatment."
An interactive map to accompany this study Despite
this increasingly harmful footprint, plastics manufacturers have mostly
escaped having to use modern pollution controls to clean wastewater
before it is dumped into waterways. Though federal rules limit some
pollutants, many harmful chemicals released by plastics manufacturers
are completely unregulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) – including contaminants that scientists have identified as
carcinogenic or otherwise harmful to human health. These include
dioxins, which are known cancer-causing agents that are highly toxic and
persist in the environment; 2 and 1,4-dioxane, a likely carcinogen that
EPA scientists recently indicated is threatening drinking water
sources. 3 Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution discharged from plastics
and petrochemical plants – which cause algal blooms and fish-killing
low-oxygen zones – are also not controlled by EPA’s industrial
wastewater rules. Although state agencies can set limits for these
pollutants in individual wastewater discharge permits, practices vary
across states and the limits are inadequate and inconsistent."
Immunotoxicity Associated with Exposure to Perfluorooctanoic Acid or Perfluorooctane SulfonateExtensive report of research regarding the health effects of PFAS "forever chemicals".
This page has more info about PFAS
"PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances, are a group of compounds
that are widespread, dangerous and expensive to remove from water. They
don’t degrade in the environment and are linked to a broad range of
health issues, including low birth-weight and kidney cancer."
TOXICITY IN AIR and AIR POLLUTION
Methane and NOx Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes "In addition to methane emissions, co-emitted health-damaging air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO
x) are released into home air and can trigger respiratory diseases."
This Newsweek article about spraying pesticides to control West Nile Virus provides a lot of information about how spraying for pests in urban areas is done, the ways in which it is evaluated for safety, and some of the ill effects on humans.
Neurotoxicity of traffic-related air pollution
"The central nervous system is emerging as an important target for adverse health effects of air pollution, where it may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Air pollution comprises several components, including particulate matter (PM) and ultrafine particulate matter (UFPM), gases, organic compounds, and metals. An important source of ambient PM and UFPM is represented by traffic-related air pollution, primarily diesel exhaust (DE). Human epidemiological studies and controlled animal studies have shown that exposure to air pollution, and to traffic-related air pollution or DE in particular, may lead to neurotoxicity. In particular, air pollution is emerging as a possible etiological factor in neurodevelopmental (e.g. autism spectrum disorders) and neurodegenerative (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) disorders. The most prominent effects caused by air pollution in both humans and animals are oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation. Studies in mice acutely exposed to DE (250–300 μg/m3 for 6 h) have shown microglia activation, increased lipid peroxidation, and neuro-inflammation in various brain regions, particularly the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb. An impairment of adult neurogenesis was also found. In most cases, the effects of DE were more pronounced in male mice, possibly because of lower antioxidant abilities due to lower expression of paraoxonase 2."
"The combustion of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum [oil], and natural gas)
is the major source of both air pollution and the greenhouse-gas
emissions driving climate change. The fetus, infant, and child are
especially vulnerable to exposure to air pollution and climate change,
which are already taking a major toll on the physical and mental health
of children. Given the frequent co-occurrence of various fossil-fuel
exposures, their interactions and cumulative environmental impacts are a
growing concern. All children are at risk, but the greatest burden
falls on those who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Protection of children’s health requires that health professionals
understand the multiple harms to children from climate change and air
pollution and use available strategies to reduce these harms."
"The data are compelling that the toll on children and pregnant women
from fossil-fuel–driven climate change and air pollution is large and
growing, affecting immediate and long-term health. Interventions — which
are, in many cases, cost-saving — exist to address the causes of
climate change and air pollution and the disparities that they have
created. Health professionals have the power to protect the children
they care for by screening to identify those at high risk for associated
health consequences; by educating them, their families, and others more
broadly about these risks and effective interventions; and by
advocating for strong mitigation and adaptation strategies."
HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS:
The US Department of Health and Human Services
Household Products Database has
health and safety information for many types of household products such
as cleaning chemicals, fertilizers, auto products, and arts and crafts
materials. The entries have information from the product labels and
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) put out by the manufacturer, as well
as contact info for the manufacturer.
Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning is a database with health and safety information for more than 2500 cleaning products.
Low levels of common flame-retardant chemical damages brain cells
"The
study showed that even tiny amounts of the compound damage neural
mitochondria, the energy plants that power our cells. The chemical,
quite literally, reduces brain power. In addition, the researchers
found that the loss of PTEN protein, a condition associated with
autism-like behavior in mice, combined with BDE-49 exposure, makes
neurons even more susceptible to mitochondrial damage. These findings
bolster the argument that genetics and environment can combine to
increase the risk of autism and other neurological disorders."
The use of household cleaning products during pregnancy and lower respiratory tract infections and wheezing during early life.
Int J Public Health. 2013 Oct;58(5):757-64.
"The period prevalence of LRTI was higher when sprays (combined odds
ratio (OR) = 1.29; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.59) or air
fresheners (OR = 1.29; CI 1.03-1.63) were used during pregnancy. The
odds of wheezing increased with spray (OR = 1.37; CI 1.10-1.69) and
solvent (OR = 1.30; CI 1.03-1.62) use. The associations between spray
and air freshener use during pregnancy and both outcomes remained
apparent when these products were not used after pregnancy.
Nevertheless, the estimates were higher when post-natal exposure was
included. The use of cleaning sprays, air fresheners and solvents
during pregnancy may increase the risk of wheezing and infections in the
offspring."
HOLIDAY
Christmas Tree Lights and
ornaments can be high in lead (these are just a few examples)
National Tree Company makes lead-free and antimony-free artificial trees, and Holiday LEDS makes lead-free lights (but they are LED).
Artificial or Real Christmas Tree? What’s better for you and the environment.
Artificial trees are often made from PVC, which is a source of both lead and phthalate exposure, and are generally treated with flame retardants that are toxic. These toxic substances migrate out of the tree and become part of household dust, which can then be inhaled or consumed. Children and pets are at highest risk from the toxins in dust because they are more likely to put things in their mouths directly or get dust in their mouths that was on their hands or other objects they put in their mouths. There are precautions you can take, according to this article:
"Don’t panic! If you are an owner of an artificial Christmas tree made
out of PVC, there are precautions you can take to reduce your family’s
exposure to lead and phthalates.
- When you first get your artificial tree, let it air out outside or
in the garage before bringing it inside! You want the plastic-like smell
to dissipate (these are VOCs and not good for indoor air!).
- Try using gloves when handling the tree and wash your hands before you snack and eat.
- Don’t let children play with the tree. After you decorate the tree, have it remain just that, a decoration! And of course, wash your children’s hands before they eat or snack.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly. This will ensure that any chemicals are sucked away!"
"If you’re currently tree-less and in the market for an artificial one, consider purchasing a tree made out of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). These plastics are safer than PVC, with less chance for lead contamination and less additive like phthalates. Please check with the manufacturer, as there are many trees that are a mix of PVC and these safer plastics. Try to get a tree with as high of a percentage or polyethylene or polypropylene plastic as possible. You can also look for artificial trees from a retailer that has a good chemicals policy, like Ikea that can give you some peace of mind over the materials and sustainability of your purchase."
OTHER SOURCES:
Creativity Without Chemicals has information about choosing safer children's art and craft supplies, many products on the market contain solvents, heavy metals, formaldehyde preservatives, and phthalates. The site has general suggestions, such as not using your kitchen items or surfaces for projects, not allowing kids to eat and drink while doing projects (or use caution and wash hands), More specific advice includes:
"Choose water-based watercolors, tempera paints, and “non-gel” acrylics;
avoid oils and enamels. Gel acrylics can contain toxic ammonia
stabilizers and formaldehyde preservatives."
"Glue sticks, library paste, Elmer’s Glues, and adhesive tape are safer
products to use. Rubber
cement, model glues, and epoxy are solvent-based and should be avoided."
"Most crayons are made of paraffin, a petroleum product." Crayons made of beeswax or soy are safer options. Some brands of crayons have been found to contain asbestos, see
this site for more information.
"Choose coloring pencils instead as even water-based markers commonly
contain various alcohols, which release vapors that can be inhaled. If
markers are a must, then choose water-based markers and look for the AP
symbol. Permanent markers typically contain toxic solvents like xylene."
"Avoid Sculpey or Fimo clays, both of which are PVC-based." There are recipes online for making your own clay and "play doh" from scratch.
"Make your own (paper mache) using plain recycled paper and white glue. Steer clear of
newspapers to avoid heavy metals and pigments from the inks. Pre-made
kits use talc, which could contain asbestos impurities.
"The word “non-toxic “ and the AP or CP symbols on products are clues
that these are less toxic options to very hazardous products, though
still not always completely safe for kids."
"Read labels to check for certifications, ingredients, and cautionary
statements, but remember that companies are not required to list all
ingredients."
"Products with a Proposition 65 warning are not suitable for children."
This link has information on the potential toxic ingredients of many different kinds of art products for adults and artists.
Toxic flame retardants in TVs "In a 2017 study co-authored by Toxic-Free Future and
Clean Production Action,
it was found that TVs continue to contain toxic flame retardants that
can escape the TV and contaminate house dust in homes. Adults and
children are then exposed to the chemicals when they ingest the dust
during everyday activities, like hand-to-mouth activity." See the results
here.
"Two of the TVs – one made by Element and one made by Samsung – contained
the PBDE flame retardant deca-BDE, despite its being banned in five
states. Those states are Washington, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, and
Maryland. The TVs in the study were purchased in Washington."
The hidden costs of forever chemicals in stain- and water-resistant products
"A new study released by Toxic-Free Future finds toxic chemicals in most
products labeled stain- or water-resistant, with 72% testing positive
for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Items that were found to
contain “forever chemicals” include rain jackets, hiking pants,
mattress pads, comforters, napkins, and tablecloths."
How Safe is the Artificial Turf Your Child Plays On?
After it was discovered that what seemed like a relatively high percent of soccer goalies are developing blood cancers, especially lymphoma, questions are being raised about how safe artificial turf actually is. Specifically, the questions are around these tiny pieces of rubber, made from old car tires, that are spread on the field to make it softer. While many athletes have contact with the rubber pellets (called "crumb rubber"), goalies seem to have a much higher exposure because they dive for the field so much. They end up ingesting it and having it get caught in scrapes and cuts. Used tires are known to be toxic- "according to the EPA, mercury, lead, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and arsenic, among several other chemicals, heavy metals, and carcinogens, have been found in tires." Crumb rubber is also used on many playgrounds.
Industry slow to end use of toxic chemical cleaner TCE for vapor degreasing, while US EPA delays action on its proposed ban
"Vapor degreasing is a process used in
commercial settings to clean equipment or other items with hot vapor.
TCE is heated, condenses onto parts placed in the degreasing unit, and
carries contaminants away from those parts as it drips off.
According to EPA, between 45,000 and
107,000 workers, including 454 to 1,066 pregnant women, are at risk for
serious adverse health effects from exposure to TCE used in vapor
degreasing processes where they work or nearby. TCE poses serious health
dangers, including fetal heart defects and cancer."
Babies may receive excessive radiation from x-rays.
