The Rising Tide of Chemical
Cocktails
October 22, 2014
Story at-a-glance
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New environmental research shows waterways are widely
contaminated with antibiotics, pesticides, caffeine,
acetaminophen, and other pharmaceuticals
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There are about 84,000 chemicals registered for commercial
use and of those 2,400 are high-production volume chemicals
(meaning more than 1 million pounds are produced per year);
the vast majority have yet to be tested for safety
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Many environmental chemicals cause disturbances to hormonal,
reproductive and immune systems, and have been linked to
cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities, asthma,
reproductive problems, and more
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The American Chemistry Council, which represents chemical
giants like Dow, DuPont, BASF Corp., and 3M, is lobbying for
federal regulations that would preempt states from being
able to tighten up chemical regulations
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The American Chemistry Council has spent nearly $6 million
on lobbying in the first half of 2014 alone
By Dr. Mercola
In 1962, American biologist Rachel Carson wrote the
groundbreaking book Silent Spring, in which she warned
of the devastating environmental impacts of DDT. It was among
the first times the chemical industry had been openly criticized
and brought the impacts of environmental pollution to the
forefront of society.
Decades later, in 2002, the US Geological Survey conducted
the first nationwide reconnaissance of the occurrence of
pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other contaminants in wastewater.
After testing water samples from 139 streams across 30
states, they found contaminants in 80 percent of the streams
sampled, and noted that most samples contained seven to 38
different toxins.1
“Little is known about the potential interactive
effects… that may occur from complex mixtures of OWCs
[organic wastewater contaminants] in the environment,”
the researchers noted, and this is still very much true
today.
Now, a new study looked at the contaminants found lurking in
our water, and what they revealed showed a growing chemical
cocktail that shows no sign of stopping.
Prescription Drugs, Pesticides, Caffeine, and More
When researchers tested the water of the Zumbro River in
Minnesota, they found a wide variety of contaminants:2
- Pesticides and insecticides
- Antibiotics
- Anti-convulsive medications
- Acetaminophen
- Caffeine
As was noted more than a decade ago, the researchers again
stated, “we don’t know what these background levels mean in
terms of environmental or public health.”3
Yet, the sheer number and variety of contaminants are raising
concerns among scientists. At the US Geological Survey, for
instance, studies have revealed sewage tainted with steroid
hormones and the antibacterial triclosan. They’ve also found
antidepressants in fish and even toxins like birth control pills
and detergents in the slimy coverings on stones in streams.4
As written in Environmental Science & Technology,
editor-in-chief Jerald Schnoor, a professor of civil and
environmental engineering at the University of Iowa, explains
the seeming impossibility of keeping tabs on the 89 million
organic and inorganic substances registered by the American
Chemical Society.5
Most of these are not in commercial use… but still, 15,000
new chemicals and biological sequences are registered every
day. There are about 84,000 chemicals that are
registered for commercial use and of those 2,400 are
high-production volume chemicals (meaning more than 1 million
pounds are produced per year).
Even among this list, the vast majority have yet to be proven
safe, including 267 that have yet to even be sponsored for
testing (and this includes, as Schnoor noted, some “suspicious
candidates” like coal tar, creosote, methyl chlorobenzene, and
trichloracetaldehyde).
The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 Has Yet to Be Updated…
There are complex problems with environmental chemicals, in
part because you can’t always predict how they will react in
nature. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), for instance, appear
to become even more toxic when they’re broken down by plants in
the environment.
Even though they’ve been banned for decades they are still
found contaminating the environment. So in addition to the
potential threats of new chemicals on the market are the
continued threat of those already on the market and even those
that have long since been banned. As the New York Times
reported:6
“…the development of new compounds and the increasing
discovery of unexpected contaminants in the environment mean
that the nation desperately needs a better system for
assessing and prioritizing chemical exposures.
That includes revisiting the country’s antiquated
chemical regulation and assessment regulations. The Toxic
Substances Control Act went into effect in 1976, almost 40
years ago, and has not been updated since.”
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) allows
high-production volume chemicals to be launched without their
chemical identity or toxicity information being disclosed. It
also makes it very difficult for the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to take regulatory action against dangerous
chemicals. The National Resources Defense Council explained:7
“Under the law now, the EPA must prove a chemical
poses an ‘unreasonable risk’ to public health or the
environment before it can be regulated. Widely considered a
failure, the law allowed 62,000 chemicals to remain on the
market without testing when it first passed.
In more than 30 years, the EPA has only required
testing for about 200 of those chemicals, and has partially
regulated just five. The rest have never been fully assessed
for toxic impacts on human health and the environment.
For the 22,000 chemicals introduced since 1976,
chemical manufacturers have provided little or no
information to the EPA regarding their potential health or
environmental impacts.
These chemicals are found in toys and other
children's products, cleaning and personal care items,
furniture, electronics, food and beverage containers,
building materials, fabrics, and car interiors.”
Health Risks of Environmental Chemicals Can No Longer Be Ignored
It’s become clear that environmental chemicals, even at low
doses, cause disturbances to hormonal, reproductive, and immune
systems. Chemicals that have accumulated and persist in the
environment – in our food, water, air, and household goods –
have been linked to cancer, birth defects, learning
disabilities, asthma, reproductive problems, and more.
It’s difficult to quantify the damage potential of
environmental chemicals, especially in utero. However the
studies that have tried have yielded some disturbing results.
For instance, earlier this year a study published in the
journal PLOS Computational Biology8
found that every 1-percent increase in genital malformations in
newborn males within a particular county was associated with a
283 percent increased rate in autism.
According to the researchers, genital malformations such as
micropenis, undescended testicles, and hypospadias (when the
urethra forms on the underside of the penis) are signs of
exposure to harmful toxins.
Other recent research has revealed that exposure while in the
womb to DDT increases women’s risk of high blood pressure
decades later. The research revealed that women exposed to the
most DDT before birth were 2.5 to 3.6 times more likely to
develop high blood pressure before the age of 50 than those with
the lowest prenatal exposure.9
This means health problems you’re experiencing now
could potentially be the result of chemical exposures before you
were even born. What is perhaps even more shocking is that
toxins you’re exposed to while in your mother’s womb can end up
impacting the health of your great-grandchildren through
inherited epigenetic changes.
So not only are environmental chemicals potentially jeopardizing
the health of your children, they’re jeopardizing the health of
multiple future generations.10
Chemical Industry Lobbying for Federal Chemical Law to Take Away
States’ Regulatory Powers
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), whose 300-plus
members include Monsanto, Coca-Cola, and General Mills, is
pushing a Congressional bill called the “Safe and Accurate Food
Labeling Act of 2014. The bill, dubbed the “DARK” (Denying
Americans the Right to Know) Act, would actually preempt
all states from passing GMO labeling laws. What does this
have to do with chemical regulations?
Everything… as the American Chemistry Council, which
represents chemical giants like Dow, DuPont, BASF Corp., and 3M,
is trying to do the same thing in regard to chemicals.
They know an overhaul of the existing law is coming…
and they’re trying to preempt states from being able to tighten
up regulations (or take away those already enacted by “tougher”
states like California). The American Chemistry Council has
spent nearly $6 million on lobbying in the first half of 2014
alone.11
Water Filtration—A Must for Clean Pure Water…
For now, we’re forced to deal with a world in which
environmental chemicals exist all around us. For this reason, I
strongly recommend using a high-quality water filtration system
unless you can verify the purity of your water. To be absolutely
certain you are getting the purest water you can, you'll want to
filter the water both at the point of entry and at the point of
use. This means filtering all the water that comes into the
house, and then filtering again at the kitchen sink.
I currently use a whole house carbon-based water filtration
system, in addition to a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to purify
my drinking water. You can read more about
water filtration to help you make a decision about what type
of water filtration system will be best for you and your family.
Since most water sources are now severely polluted, the issue of
water filtration and purification couldn't be more important.
Living Clean in a Contaminated World
Beyond pure water, organically grown, biodynamic whole foods
are really the key to success here, and, as an added bonus, when
you eat properly, you're also optimizing your body's natural
detoxification system, which can help eliminate toxicants your
body encounters from other sources. From there, simply leading a
healthy lifestyle will help you to have as minimal a chemical
exposure as possible. This includes the following:
- As much as possible, purchase organic produce and
free-range, organic foods to reduce your exposure to
pesticides, growth hormones, GMOs, and synthetic
fertilizers.
- Rather than using 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.
Freshly grown sprouts are particularly nutritious,
especially watercress, sunflower, and pea sprouts.
- Store your food and beverages in glass rather than
plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods
(which are often lined with BPA- and
BPS-containing liners).
- As mentioned, 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 useful database to help
you find personal care products that are free of phthalates
and other potentially dangerous chemicals.12
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," chemical-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 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.
Copyright 1997- 2014 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/10/22/health-risks-environmental-chemicals.aspx
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