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Sources of Contaminants
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LIFESTYLE CHOICES:
What:
ethanol, nicotine, caffeine, illicit drugs, trans-fats, hydrogenated
oils, artificial colors/flavors, preservatives, flavor enhancers
Where found: alcoholic beverages,
cigarettes, tobacco, coffee, soda pops, marijuana, cocaine and other
drugs, fast foods, packaged food, junk foods
What effects:
cancer, heart disease, auto-immune disease, nerve degeneration such as
dementia
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PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:
Prescription drugs are the fourth leading cause of death in
America4
What:
synthetic chemical drugs mostly prescription: especially
painkillers, antibiotics, antidepressants, hormones, cancer drugs,
seizure drugs
Where found: prescription drug consumption, water
supplies from sewage runoff
What effects: side
effects of any drug consumed, drug interactions, antibiotic resistance,
hormonal dysfunction including early maturity and male feminization |
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HEAVY METALS:
What: lead, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, nickel, and cadmium to
name a few
Where Found: Lead: lead paint, plumbing, batteries,
industry. Mercury: amalgams filling for teeth, paints,
medications, pesticides, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, vaccines
for children, coal burning = polluted rain = polluted fish, especially
tuna; and of course thermometers
Arsenic: treated lumber and contaminated drinking water from
metal smelting and industry runoff
Aluminum: anti-perspirants, antacids, cookware, cans/foil,
drinking water, smoke/fumes
Nickel: hydrogenated oils, soil and drinking water, cigarette
smoke
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Cadmium: environment from smelting and industry, cigarette
smoke, batteries, paint and bake ware
PCBs:
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
What: industrial chemicals band in US since
1976
Where found: persists for decades in the
environment; accumulates in the food chain; farmed fish, meat and dairy
products
What effects: known to cause cancer and nervous system
disorders
BFRs:
Brominated Flame Retardants
What: industrial chemicals
Where found: furniture, foam in
furniture/bedding, retardant fabrics, plastic casings for computers, car
interiors
What effects: endocrine hormone disrupter
(thyroid, ovaries), reproductive damage, cancer
PFCs:
Perfluorochemicals
What: Industrial chemicals: notably
fluoropolymers: Scotchguard, Teflon, Stainmaster, Scotchban, Gortex,
PFOA
Where found: NEVER BREAK DOWN in environment! Stain
repellent furniture and carpet, non-stick cook ware, fast food wrappings
that repel grease, clothing, cleaning products, cosmetics
What effects: cancer (esp pancreas, liver, testicular,
breast), liver damage, reproductive defects
DIOXINS:
What: industrial pollutants
Where found: primary ingredient of Agent Orange,
pollutants of PVC (polyvinyl chloride plastic) production, industrial
bleaching in paper mills, burning garbage including backyard burn
barrels
What effects: persists for decades in the
environment; accumulates in the food chain; fish,
meat and dairy products. The most potent of carcinogens; cancer,
reproductive disorders, endocrine and hormone disorders, skin
afflictions, liver damage
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FURANS:
What: industrial pollutants
Where found: by-product of plastic production,
industrial bleaching, burning waste garbage
What effects: Persist for decades in the
environment. Cancer, endocrine/hormone changes
PESTICIDES/HERBICIDES:
What: organochlorine insecticides: DDT, chlordane
banned in US; organophosphate insecticides
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Where found: persist for decades in the
environment; accumulates in the food chain; fish, meat and dairy
products; residues in all foods
What effects: cancer, reproductive disorders,
very strong nervous system toxicants, autoimmune disease
PHTHALATES:
What: plastics, plasticizers, PVC, polystyrene
(Styrofoam), polycarbonate
Where found: plastic wrap, bottles/pipes, storage
containers, cosmetics, hair products, meat and dairy products
What effects: mimic endocrine/hormones, birth
defects of male reproductive organs and infertility, facial/body hair
growth in women, female disorders; painful periods, cysts,
endometriosis, fibroids
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VOCs:
Volatile Organic Chemicals
What: industrial solvents, petroleum derivatives,
xylene, benzene, chlorofluorocarbon CFC, formaldehyde
Where found: indoor air: carpet, dry wall,
particle board/plywood, glues, paint, permanent markers, cleaning
fluids, varnishes, aerosols, air fresheners/fragrances, insect
repellents, dry cleaning
chemicals, cosmetics, deodorants, propane, methane, gasoline, auto
tires, vinyl curtains
What effects: cancer, nervous system toxicant,
respiratory disease, migraines, memory dysfunction
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HALOGENS:
What: chlorine, fluoride
Where found: drinking water, bleach,
toothpastes,
What effects: skin and membrane (mouth, lung, nose,
eye) irritant, cardiovascular irritant, neurological irritant,
thyroid imbalance (displaces iodine)
RADIATION: (EMF-
See below)
What: radioactive elements: uranium,
plutonium, strontium, cesium, radium=radon, UV light/sunlight
Where found: x-rays, airplane flights,
nuclear weapon testing, basements floors from underground soil
(naturally occurring), irradiated food
What effects: cancer (esp. thyroid and lung)
BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
What: mold, fungus, yeast, bacteria,
viruses, animal dander, dust mites,
and feces
Where found: old buildings, pets,
contaminated food: unclean food, peanuts, wheat, corn, bread,
cheese, mushrooms, fermented foods (including beer and wine)
What effects: allergies, asthma, eczema, digestive
disorders, neurological diseases
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EMF WAVES: Electro
Magnetic Frequencies
What: UV light/sunlight, electrostatic
fields
Where found: fluorescent lights, cell phones,
telephone, radio, TV, computer, radar, microwaves, cell tower,
electric blankets, power lines,
wiring in walls, anything electric, sunshine, tanning beds
What effects: cancer (esp. thyroid, skin,
blood, and brain), immune dysfunction, insomnia, nervous disorders,
mood disorders, heart palpitations, eye degeneration
What effects: allergies, asthma, eczema, digestive
disorders, neurological diseases
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4) JAMA April 15, 1998;279(15):1200-5
*
Our Toxic World *
How Exposed Are
You?
* Simple Steps to
Reduce Exposure
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