| What Kinds of Pollutants do You Already
Have in Your Body? Pollutants
commonly found in the air, water and food can weaken the
brain, muscles, immune system, and other vital systems. In
the USA, the average person's body already contains lead,
mercury, PCBs,
arsenic, and more than 100 other toxic substances in
combinations that have never been tested for safety. Lead
and some other pollutants are unsafe at any level above zero
because they weaken your immune system, making you more
vulnerable to microbes and parasites.
Your immune
system is your first line of defense against bacteria and
your only defense against viruses. Maintaining a strong
immune system has become even more important because some
bacteria have already become resistant to even the best
antibiotics. A strong immune system can make the difference
between staying healthy and getting sick when you are
exposed to microbes.
Lung disease
is the number three killer in America, responsible for one
in seven deaths. Lung disease and other breathing problems
are the number one killer of babies younger than one year
old. Today, more than 28 million Americans are living with
chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema and chronic
bronchitis.
Chemicals and
Germs Together Increase Disease Risks
The issue of mixtures is complicated
further by interactions now known to occur between
contaminants and infectious agents [bacteria and viruses].
Large increases in disease risk can be associated with
simultaneous exposure to contaminants and infectious agents.
For example, Rothman and others[1] reported a greater than
20-fold increase in relative risk to non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
with combined exposure to elevated (but still
background) PCBs and Epstein-Barr virus. The
mechanism underlying this result is unknown, but is possibly
due to well-established immune system impairment by PCBs. If
this mechanism is widespread, then current estimates of
morbidity and mortality due to contamination are likely to
be unrealistically low. Immune system interference by a
variety of contaminants is widely reported (for example,
Baccarelli[2]).
- Rothman, N., K. P. Cantor, A Blair, D
Bush, JW Brock, K Helzlsouer, SH Zahm, LL Needham, GR
Pearson, RN Hoover, GW Comstock, PT Strickland. 1997. A
nested case-control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and
serum organochlorine residues. THE LANCET 350 (July 26):
pgs. 240-244.
- Baccarelli, A, P Mocarelli, DG
Patterson Jr., M Bonzini, AC Pesatori, N Caporaso and MT
Landi1. 2002. Immunologic Effects of
Dioxin: New Results from Seveso and Comparison with
Other Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 110:
pgs. 1169-1173.
A Very Unhealthy and
Unappetizing Stew
The Washington Post
July 15, 2005
Unborn babies in the
United States are
soaking in a stew of chemicals, including mercury,
gasoline byproducts and pesticides. The article was based on
a
report by the Environmental Working Group, which, after
studying umbilical cord blood samples, found an average of
287 fetal contaminants. Rep. Louise Slaughter said, "If ever
we had proof that our nation's pollution laws aren't
working, it's reading the list of industrial chemicals in
the bodies of babies who have not yet lived outside the
womb."
Information
Sources to help you protect and improve health:
|
American Lung
Association |
A leading source of
information and public education on lung health.
Local chapters provide printed information. |
|
Healthy House
Institute |
Practical
professional advice from John and Lynn Bower on
maintaining good indoor air quality. |
|
Are We Making Our Children Sick? |
Bill
Moyers investigates the effect of chemicals on our
kids. |
|
Environmental Links to Breast Cancer |
Alarming
research shows that man-made toxic chemicals are
contributing to the epidemic rates of breast and
other cancers. |
|
Indoor
Environment Review |
A critically
acclaimed resource for Indoor Environment news. |
|
HealthBoards |
Message Boards on
Health Related Topics so you can post questions,
comments, and respond to messages from others.
"Connecting with others who are going through the
same medical concern is often helpful". |
|
World Resources Institute |
An independent center
for policy research and technical assistance on
global environmental and development issues. |
|
Natural Resources Defense Council |
Information about
quantities and effects of toxic air pollutants
throughout the United States. |
|
Epidemic!: on the trail of killer diseases |
An expedition with
the American Museum of Natural History. |
|
Nutrition
Navigator |
A rating guide to
nutrition websites. |
Additional Sources
of Information:
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