Chemical Exposure Linked to
Escalating Healthcare Costs
April 06, 2016
Story at-a-glance
Formaldehyde in laminate flooring sold by Lumber
Liquidators up until May 2015 may increase the
lifetime cancer risk by 6 to 30 extra cases per
100,000 people
Researchers are now 99 percent certain that
endocrine disrupting chemicals like BPA and
phthalates can cause attention problems, diabetes,
reproductive problems, and other health issues
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are thought to cost
the European Union a total of €157 billion ($178
billion) per year in healthcare costs
By Dr. Mercola
While the World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 4 deaths
are related to living and working in a toxic environment1,2,3,4
— with
air pollution being the greatest contributor—your diet, personal
care, and common household products likely pose the most immediate
risk to your and your family’s health.
Repeated tests have confirmed that those who eat primarily
organic foods tend to have far lower levels of toxins in their
system. Your choice of household goods, building materials, and
furniture can also play a role, as many contain toxic chemicals like
flame retardants and formaldehyde.
Do You Have Toxic Flooring in Your Home?
In fact, according to a recent report5
by the National Center for Environmental Health at the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, formaldehyde in certain laminate
floors may pose a greater health risk than previously suspected.
Not only does the report say that everyone exposed can experience
some adverse health effects, the lifetime cancer risk is also higher
than previously estimated. These issues are specifically associated
with laminate wood flooring produced in China and sold by Lumber
Liquidators.
The company announced it stopped selling this type of flooring
last year, but if you already have it installed in your house, it
may pose a hidden, long-term health risk to everyone in your home.
According to CNN:6
“The lifetime cancer risk increased from the previous
estimate of 2 to 9 extra cases for every 100,000 people to
between 6 and 30 extra cases per 100,000 people...
Individuals who have this type of flooring should take
steps to reduce exposure, including opening windows daily to get
fresh air, using exhaust fans and reducing other sources of
formaldehyde, such as tobacco smoke.
Anyone with the floors who is experiencing symptoms such
as eye irritation and breathing difficulty should seek medical
attention. Professional air testing should be considered if
symptoms are persistent.”
On March 22, 2016, Lumber Liquidators Inc. paid a $2.5 million
settlement to the California Air Resources Board7
over charges that the company "failed to take reasonable prudent
precautions to ensure those products met such limits designed to
protect public health."
Toxic Burden Becoming Evident in Health Statistics
Health statistics suggest the toxic burden is becoming too great
for children and adults alike, and warnings have been issued by a
number of different organizations, agencies, and health experts
around the world.
Dr. David Bellinger, a professor of Neurology at Harvard
Medical School estimates Americans have lost a total of 16.9
million IQ points due to exposure to organophosphate pesticides.9
A recent report10,11
by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics12
warns that chemical exposures now represent a major threat to
human health and reproduction.
An Endocrine Society task force also recently issued a new
scientific statement13,14
on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, noting that the health
effects of hormone-disrupting chemicals are such that everyone
needs to take proactive steps to avoid them.
One in 5 cancers are thought to be due to environmental
chemicals, and according to recent studies, not only can
miniscule amounts of chemicals amplify each other’s
adverse effects when combined,15
this even applies to chemicals deemed “safe” on their own.
Basically, the analysis16
found that the cumulative effects of
non-carcinogenic chemicals can act in concert to
synergistically produce carcinogenic activity—a finding that
overturns and more or less nullifies conventional testing for
carcinogens.
Chemical Exposure Costs Billions of Dollars in Healthcare Costs
As reported by National Geographic,17
“Researchers conclude they are 99 percent certain that
hormone-altering chemicals are linked to attention problems,
diabetes, [and] other health problems.”
According to recent research,18,19,20
exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals costs the European Union
(EU) €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) a year in women’s health care costs
alone, for the treatment of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and
related health problems.
When other health issues are included, such as infertility and
male reproductive dysfunctions, birth defects, obesity, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and neurobehavioral and learning disorders,
the medical expenses associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals
rise to a whopping €157 billion ($178 billion) annually.
That’s more than the combined proposed 2016 budgets for the U.S.
Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services,
National Park Service, and Environmental Protection Agency put
together.
“Linda Birnbaum, the leading environmental health
official in the U.S. government, called the new findings, which
include four published papers, "a wake-up call" for policymakers
and health experts. If you applied these [health care] numbers
to the U.S., they would be applicable, and in some cases
higher," says Birnbaum...”
Endocrine-Disruptors and Human Health
A number of common household chemicals are endocrine disruptors,
meaning, they alter the normal function of your hormones. These are
referred to as “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (EDCs). A 2013
Environmental Working Group (EWG) report22
identified many of the best-known hormone wreckers; 12 of the worst
are listed in the following table.
Phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) have perhaps received most of
the attention over the past several years. In the European
healthcare cost study above, they specifically looked at the link
between phthalates and endometriosis, while uterine fibroids were
associated with exposure to diphenyldichloroethene (DDE). The
researchers estimate that 20 to 39 percent of uterine fibroids and
endometriosis are caused by exposure to these specific chemicals.
Small but repeated EDC exposures can mimic your natural endocrine
system, and this is why many experts believe there is no safe level
of exposure for EDCs. The effects of in utero and early exposure to
EDCs can now be seen among children and young women:
Children are entering
puberty at younger and younger ages. In 2010, the average
age of the onset of puberty was 10.5 years for girls—four years
younger than in 1860, when it was 16.6 years,23
and hormone-disrupting chemicals are likely the cause.24,25
Early-onset of menopause is striking ever younger women.
This effect was demonstrated in animal studies decades ago, and
is now turning out to hold true in humans as well.
Greatest Healthcare Expense Linked to Developmental Problems
The most problematic and most costly effect of EDCs is their
effect on brain development and neurological function. According to
the EU's report, healthcare costs for neurological effects alone
total at least $146 billion per year. As reported by National
Geographic:26
“Evidence linking the pesticides and flame retardants to
neurological effects was the strongest, showing ‘near certainty of
causation.’” Strong evidence also exists for:
BPA (found in hard plastics, the lining of cans, and paper
receipts)
Phthalates (found in soft plastics and vinyl products)
DDE (a breakdown product of DDT. Since it lingers in the
environment, exposure still occurs via food even though DDT is
no longer in use)
Organophosphate pesticides
Brominated flame retardants (PBDEs, found in older furniture
and foam cushions)
BPA, DDE, and phthalates appear to be most strongly linked to
obesity and diabetes. Phthalates are also linked to male27
and female gynecological effects, while flame retardants and
organophosphate pesticides have the strongest neurological effects.
When you consider that the average person is likely exposed to all
of these in any given day, plus any number of other chemicals, it
becomes evident that human health is under tremendous strain—even
before birth.
A 2005 landmark study28
found a total of 287 chemicals from pesticides, consumer products,
food packaging and environmental waste, including BPA,
flame-retardants, PCBs, and DDT in the umbilical cord blood of
infants born in the U.S.. Prenatal exposure to chemicals such as
these have been linked to everything from abnormal fetal
development, diminished intelligence, behavior problems,
infertility, abnormal sexual maturation,
metabolic dysfunction, and cancers later in life.29,30
Many Replacement Chemicals Are Just As Dangerous
In the June 2015 issue of Chemical & Engineering News, three
articles31
examined phthalates and possible replacement chemicals.
Unfortunately, many of the replacements are still within the
phthalate family of chemicals, and while they may appear to have a
less hazardous profile, this really does not address the
problem---it simply hides it for a while, until more research
becomes available.
A perfect example of this is bisphenol-A (BPA), which many
manufacturers have simply replaced with bisphenol-S (BPS). Lo and
behold, BPS produces many of the same health effects as
BPA—including reproductive problems and cancer. This is why I
changed my recommendation to look for BPA-free plastics, as such
labels may be completely meaningless in terms of safety. Glass is by
far your safest alternative.
Most recently, research32
suggests BPS triggers fat cell formation. Interestingly, cells
exposed to the smallest and the largest amounts of
BPS accumulated the most amount of fat. Intermediate or “moderate”
amounts resulted in the least amount of fat accumulation in the
cells. According to Medical Daily:33
“The researchers attributed this anomaly to the fact that
tiny amounts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere
with the functioning of hormones, since small changes in hormone
levels are designed to trigger adjustments in metabolism,
respiration, heart rate, and other bodily functions, while
moderate amounts are less triggering.”
Chemical Bill Protects Chemical Industry By Gutting Chemical
Regulations
Crazy enough, as warnings about chemical exposure mount, the U.S.
government is going backward when it comes to protecting
public health. The Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 has been
criticized as weak and broken, and legislation has been created to
update this outdated law. Alas, the updates actually weaken it even
further! In a recent article, the Environmental Working Group lists
a number of problems with H.R. 2576, including the following:34
First of all, a last-minute clause sneaked into the bill
(section 7c) would shield Monsanto from liability for
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) pollution and/or damage to human
health.
Considering the fact that Monsanto is currently battling no
less than seven lawsuits by U.S. cities over PCB contamination,35
and 700 lawsuits on behalf of people who claim their exposure to
PCBs caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma,36
this “immunity rider” could easily be worth many billions of
dollars for
Monsanto. The clause would also prevent states from passing
their own laws and regulations relating to PBCs.
It also infringes on state rights to address chemical safety
for other chemicals. Once the federal government issues
regulation on a chemical, this bill would prevent individual
states from taking any additional action. It also does not
define the scope of this restriction. As noted by EWG: “That
means that federal action on formaldehyde in flooring, for
instance, could block states from regulating the chemical in
cleaning products.”
Funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would
come from congressional appropriations rather than from industry
fees, which would severely hamper the EPA’s ability to assess
the safety of chemicals.
Moreover, companies are allowed to request EPA safety
reviews, and the bill does not put a cap on the number of
industry-requested assessments that may be submitted, which
would further hamper the EPA’s ability to perform chemical
safety assessments.
Another point to consider is this: In June 2015 a House panel
approved a bill that cuts EPA funding by 9 percent37
--$718 million—in 2016. This is a significant reduction,
especially when you consider the EPA’s funding has already been
reduced by 20 percent since 2011.
The bill also allows companies to keep certain chemicals
secret when performing health and safety studies, which
effectively render such studies useless. Moreover, the EPA would
only be allowed to reevaluate a trade secret claim once every 10
years, regardless of any safety concerns that may arise in the
meantime.
Both the House and Senate bills also provide a gigantic
loophole by exempting chemicals used in replacement parts from
EPA regulations.
Tips to Help You Avoid Toxic Chemicals
It’s quite clear that the U.S. government is falling short when
it comes to protecting you from the onslaught of toxic chemicals
that may have devastating generational effects. Although no one can
successfully steer clear of ALL chemicals and pollutants, you can
certainly minimize your exposure by keeping a number of key
principles in mind.
Eat real food, with a focus on locally grown, fresh and
organic whole foods.
Processed and packaged foods are a common source of
chemicals such as BPA and phthalates. Wash fresh produce
well, especially if it’s not organically grown.
Choose grass-pastured, sustainably raised meats and
dairy to reduce your exposure to hormones, pesticides, and
fertilizers.
Avoid milk and other dairy products that contain the
genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone
(rBGH or rBST).
Rather than eating conventional or farm-raised fish,
which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury,
supplement with a high-quality krill oil, or eat fish that
is wild-caught and lab tested for purity, such as wild
caught Alaskan salmon.
Buy products that come in glass bottles rather than
plastic or cans, as chemicals can leach out of plastics (and
plastic can linings), into the contents; be aware that even
“BPA-free” plastics typically leach other
endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are just as bad for you
as BPA.
Store your food and beverages in glass, rather than
plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap.
Use glass baby bottles.
Replace your non-stick pots and pans with ceramic or
glass cookware.
Filter your tap water for both drinking AND bathing. If
you can only afford to do one, filtering your bathing water
may be more important, as your skin absorbs
contaminants.
To remove the endocrine disrupting herbicide Atrazine, make
sure your filter is certified to remove it. According to the
EWG, perchlorate can be filtered out using a reverse osmosis
filter.
Look for products made by companies that are
Earth-friendly, animal-friendly, sustainable, certified
organic, and GMO-free.
This applies to everything from food and personal care
products to building materials, carpeting, paint, baby
items, furniture, mattresses, and others.
Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to remove
contaminated house dust. This is one of the major routes of
exposure to flame retardant chemicals.
When buying new products such as furniture, mattresses,
or carpet padding, consider buying flame retardant free
varieties, containing naturally less flammable materials,
such as leather, wool, cotton, silk, and Kevlar.
Avoid stain- and water-resistant clothing, furniture and
carpets to avoid perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs).
Make sure your baby's toys are BPA-free, such as
pacifiers, teething rings and anything your child may be
prone to suck or chew on—even books, which are often
plasticized.
It’s advisable to avoid all plastic, especially flexible
varieties.
Use natural cleaning products or make your own. Avoid
those containing 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol
(DEGME)—two toxic glycol ethers that can compromise your
fertility and cause fetal harm.
Replace your vinyl shower curtain with a fabric one.
Replace feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary
pads) with safer alternatives.
Switch over to organic toiletries, including
shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants, and cosmetics.
EWG’s Skin Deep database38
can help you find personal care products that are free of
phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals.
Look for fragrance-free products. One artificial
fragrance can contain hundreds—even thousands—of potentially
toxic chemicals.
Avoid
fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which contain a
mishmash of synthetic chemicals and fragrances.