Common Household Chemicals Linked to Human Disease in Landmark UN
Study
March 09, 2013
Story at-a-glance
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a joint
report with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP),
titled: State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
(EDCs), which suggests a ban of endocrine disrupting chemicals
may be needed to protect the health of future generations
The joint study is the most comprehensive report on EDCs to
date, highlighting a wide variety of health problems associated
with exposure, including: non-descended testes, breast, prostate
and thyroid cancer, nervous system defects, and ADD/ADHD
Some of the most commonly used endocrine disrupters are
Bisphenol-A (BPA), Bisphenol-S (BPS), PCB’s, phthalates and
agricultural pesticides
Rather than compile an endless list of things to avoid, it's far
easier to focus on what you should do to lead a healthy
lifestyle with as minimal a chemical exposure as possible.
Thirteen helpful tips are included
By Dr. Mercola
Air pollution and chemicals found in common household and
personal care goods are major sources of exposure that can lead to
an accumulation of toxins in your body.
Forbes Magazine1
recently listed the 20 most polluted cities in the US. Topping the
list is Fresno, California, where inhabitants are exposed to both
groundwater pollution from agriculture and the worst year-round air
particle pollution in the nation.
Number two and three on the list are Bakersfield, CA, the oil
capital of the US, and Philadelphia, PA, known for its foul-smelling
refineries and chemical plants.
The best advice I could give you should you happen to live in a
heavily polluted area is to move, but I realize that isn’t always a
practical option.
It’s tough to address environmental issues that you don’t have
control over. It’s better to focus most of your attention on your
immediate environment, which you have more, if not full, control
over. After all, what you put on, in, and keep around your body on a
daily basis is going to have the greatest impact on your health.
Landmark Study Links Common Household Chemicals to Human Disease
A typical American comes in regular contact with some 6,000
chemicals and an untold number of potentially toxic substances on a
less frequent basis. There are about 75,000 chemicals regularly
manufactured and imported by U.S. industries, so you could be
exposed to any number of them. Disturbingly, many of them have never
been fully tested for safety.
Some of the most pervasive chemicals are used in plastic
products, and are known as endocrine disrupters. These chemicals are
similar in structure to natural sex hormones, thereby interfering
with their normal functions.
On February 19, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced2
a new report co-produced with the United Nations Environment
Program (UNEP), titled: State of the Science of Endocrine
Disrupting Chemicals.
The report suggests aban of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
may be needed to protect the health of future generations. The joint
study is touted as the most comprehensive report on EDCs to date,
highlighting a wide variety of health problems associated with
exposure, including:
Non-descended testes in young males
Breast cancer in women
Prostate cancer in men
Developmental effects on the nervous system in children
Attention deficit hyperactivity in children
Thyroid cancer
According to the report:
“The diverse systems affected by endocrine-disrupting
chemicals likely include all hormonal systems and range from
those controlling development and function of reproductive
organs to the tissues and organs regulating metabolism and
satiety. Effects on these systems can lead to obesity,
infertility or reduced fertility, learning and memory
difficulties, adult-onset diabetes or cardiovascular disease, as
well as a variety of other diseases.”
The High Price of 'Convenience' Products...
The joint study flags several of the most common culprits,
including
Bisphenol-A (BPA), PCB’s, phthalates and agricultural
pesticides. According to the report, animal studies have
demonstrated that there’s “very strong evidence” BPA can interfere
with thyroid hormones. Brain damage, decreased intelligence,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism were also found
to be potential side effects. BPA is one of the world's highest
production-volume chemicals and is widely used in the production of:
Plastic water bottles
Tooth sealants
Plastic gallon milk bottles
Canned foods and soda cans (most have plastic lining in the
cans)
Plastic microwavable plates, ovenware, and utensils
Baby toys, bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups
Beware that many manufacturers have simply replaced BPA with
bisphenol-S (BPS), an equally toxic chemical.3
Studies now show BPS is showing up in human urine concentrations at
levels similar to those of BPA--an indication that manufacturers are
simply switching one for the other, while still being able to
advertise their products as "BPA-free." A 2012 study4
found 81 percent of those tested from the United States and seven
Asian countries had BPS in their urine.
An even more recent study5
has raised the alarm on BPS, showing the chemical estrogenic
activity comparable to estradiol, the most potent human estrogen. It
was also found to be capable of enhancing
estradiol-mediated cell signaling, making it a particularly potent
endocrine disruptor. Furthermore, the study showed BPS can induce
apoptosis (cell death) and interfere with cellular secretion of
prolactin (PRL)—a hormone that regulates hundreds of biological
functions, including metabolism, reproduction and lactation.
Another chemical used in the manufacturing of plastics is
phthalates, which make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more
flexible and resilient. They're also one of the most pervasive
endocrine disrupters so far discovered. These chemicals have
increasingly become associated with changes in the development of
the male brain as well as with
genital defects, metabolic abnormalities and reduced
testosterone in babies and adults. Phthalates are found in, among
other things:
Processed food packaging
Lubricant and adhesives
Hoses
Detergents
Raincoats
Beauty products like nail polish, hair spray, shampoo,
deodorants, and fragrances
Shower curtains
Cosmetics
Vinyl flooring and wall coverings
Toys
Three More Common Chemicals to Avoid…
“Research has made great strides in the last ten years
showing endocrine disruption to be far more extensive and
complicated than realized a decade ago. As science continues to
advance, it is time for both management of endocrine disrupting
chemicals and further research on exposure and effects of these
chemicals in wildlife and humans." said Åke Bergman, Chief
Editor of the report.
If you’ve been a longtime reader of this newsletter, the findings
of this UN report come as no surprise. Rather it’s a “better late
than never” type confirmation that the evidence truly has stacked up
to the point of being undeniable. Those of you who took action when
these fears were initially raised are now years ahead of your
friends and family. In addition to BPAs and phthalates, the
following three are among the most widely used chemicals around that
should be avoided as much as possible:
PFOA: Non-stick cookware is the primary
source of dangerous
perfluorinated chemicals (PFOAs). Non-stick pans quickly
reach temperatures that cause the coating to begin breaking
down, releasing toxins that have been linked to cancer, birth
defects and thyroid disease into the air in your kitchen. I
highly recommend you throw away this type of cookware
immediately and replace it with either ceramic or glass. My
personal choice is ceramic cookware, because it's very durable
and easy to clean, and there's virtually no risk of exposure to
harmful chemicals.
Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde, most commonly known as embalming fluid, serves
a number of purposes in manufactured products. It is actually
frequently used in fabrics to give them a variety of "easy care
properties" as well as being a common component of pressed-wood
products. Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in
animals, and may cause cancer in humans. Other common adverse
health effects include fatigue, skin rashes, and allergic
reactions. Choosing all natural materials for your clothing and
furniture can help cut down on your exposure.
It would be also be wise to avoid all aspartame, as well as
bottled or canned fruit juices as they have methanol which your
body converts to formaldehyde. This is even more dangerous than
the formaldehyde in products, as your body carries the
methanol like a Trojan horse to sensitive tissues like your
brain where an enzyme converts it to formaldehyde.
PBDEs: These flame-retardant chemicals have
been linked to altered thyroid levels, decreased fertility and
numerous problems with development when exposure occurs in
utero.
PBDEs are commonly found in household items like upholstery
and television and computer housings. Fortunately, several
states now ban the use of PBDEs, so there is some progress
toward reducing exposure.
Another common source of PBDEs is your mattress, and since
you can spend up to a third of your life in bed, this is a
significant health concern. Mattress manufacturers are not
required to label or disclose which chemicals their mattresses
contain. Look for 100 percent wool, toxin-free mattresses.
Another viable option is to look for a mattress that uses a
Kevlar, bullet-proof type of material in lieu of chemicals for
fire-proofing. Stearns and Foster uses this process for their
mattresses, which is sufficient to pass fire safety standards.
What Can You do to Reduce Unnecessary Chemical Exposure to Your
Family?
Rather than compile an endless list of what you should avoid,
it's far easier to focus on what you should do to lead a healthy
lifestyle with as minimal a chemical exposure as possible:
As much as possible, buy and eat organic produce and
free-range, organic foods to reduce your exposure to pesticides
and fertilizers.
Rather than eating conventional or farm-raised fish, which
are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury, supplement
with a high-quality purified krill oil, or eat fish that is
wild-caught and lab tested for purity.
Eat mostly raw, fresh foods, steering clear of processed,
prepackaged foods of all kinds. This way you automatically avoid
artificial food additives, including dangerous artificial
sweeteners, food coloring and MSG.
Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic,
and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods (which are often
lined with BPA-containing liners).
Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found,
install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even
those in your shower or bath).
Only use natural cleaning products in your home.
Switch over to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo,
toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. The Environmental
Working Group has a great database6
to help you find personal care products that are free of
phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals. I also
offer one of the highest quality organic skin care lines,
shampoo and conditioner, and body butter that are completely
natural and safe.
Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric
softeners or other synthetic fragrances.
Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or glass
cookware.
When redoing your home, look for "green," toxin-free
alternatives in lieu of regular paint and vinyl floor coverings.
Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made of fabric,
or install a glass shower door. Most all flexible plastics, like
shower curtains, contain dangerous plasticizers like phthalates.
Limit your use of drugs (prescription and over-the-counter)
as much as possible. Drugs are chemicals too, and they will
leave residues and accumulate in your body over time.
Avoid spraying pesticides around your home or insect
repellants that contain DEET on your body. There are safe,
effective and natural alternatives out there.
Limiting Chemical Exposure is Important for Optimal Health
It is important to make these positive and gradual steps toward
decreasing your chemical risk through healthy lifestyle choices.
While you make the switch to remove and reduce chemicals around your
home, remember that one of the ways to significantly
reduce your toxic load is to pay careful attention to what you
eat.
Organically-grown, biodynamic whole foods are really the key to
success here, and, as an added bonus, when you eat right, you're
also optimizing your body's natural detoxification system, which can
help eliminate toxins your body encounters from other sources.
Environmental pollution is a massive problem, but for most there
aren’t many immediate solutions to address it. Your time is better
spent focusing on your immediate environment; your home, and all the
products you use or come in contact with on a daily basis. Cleaning
that up can go a long way to reduce your toxic load, and hence
decrease your risk of chemical-induced health problems. The costs of
inaction and not regulating and removing these pernicious toxins
from our lives will have tremendous long lasting deleterious,
health, environmental and economic costs. For more detailed reports
you can review two comprehensive PDFs on the topic.