Our Toxic World

Man's quest for bigger, better, faster, younger and more convenient comes at a significant price. The automobiles that shuttle us, the products we clean with, the appliances that keep us cool and the recreational vehicles that helps us relax, pollute the environment. And let's not forget the toxins found in the air you breathe, the chemicals and fluoride found in the water you drink, the pesticides detected in many of the fruits, vegetables and meats you serve your family and the petroleum byproducts you apply to your skin.

It's not enough that you're subjected to toxins nearly everywhere you turn - the real issue is the years of exposure you face - exposure that starts even before you're born.

According to a study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group on the umbilical cord blood of newborns, 287 different industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides were found including mercury, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, pesticides, and chemicals from flame retardants, PCBs, industrial lubricants, plastics, Teflon, Scotchgard, industrial bleaches, electrical insulators, coal-fired power plants, vehicle emissions, and wood preservatives. In fact, of the 287 chemicals detected, 180 are known to cause health complications in humans or animals, 217 are known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 are known to cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. 1

Every Breath You Take

Once you've entered the world and taken your first breath (the average person breathes about 5,000 gallons of air each day), you can be reasonably sure it includes some unhealthy trace particles or air pollution. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. facilities released 4.7 billion pounds of toxins into the atmosphere in 2002. Further, the EPA estimates fine-particle pollution causes an estimated 20,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year.

It's in the Water

The water you drink, clean and wash with doesn't fare much better. According to one study conducted by the University of Michigan, one ton of oil is spilled for every million tons transported. This same water is pumped back into our water supply, which experts like the Environmental Working Group believe have contaminated the tap water in 42 states with more than 140 unregulated chemicals. Outbreaks of waterborne disease are on the increase. In fact, an estimated 7 million people become sick and more than 1,000 die in the United States each year from waterborne microbes. 2

The Food You Eat

And, as if concerns regarding drinking and breathing weren't enough, you also have to be careful with the produce, meats and fish you eat. Herbicides and pesticides - used to keep bugs off crops, inhibit weed growth, and protect your lawn - are taking their toll on your health. For starters, environmental chemicals have a wide range of effects on immune system function, ranging from a decrease in your body's ability to fight infections and tumors to increased allergies and autoimmunity. These compounds can also cause dermatological, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular problems. Not to mention, hormones like Zeranol, which has been used to fatten up cattle more quickly, have been shown to exacerbate breast health concerns. 3

Home Sweet Home?

But the toxins you'll probably find most surprising are those found in your home - a place where most of us think we're safe. For starters, many of the products that improve the look and scent of your home like household-cleaning products have been linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other learning and behavioral disorders. Even the new carpet in your home might be making you sick because of the glue used to put it down. The substance contains the harmful ingredient benzene and the neurotoxin, xylene - one of the most unhealthy chemical combinations you can be exposed to. Faulty appliances can emit ozone, which affects lung health, and carbon monoxide, which is lethal at high concentrations. And, mold, bacteria and other biological contaminants can cause or exacerbate asthma, allergies and infections.

The bottom line is we are surrounded by toxins, pollutants and synthetic chemicals. Many are invisible - colorless, odorless and tasteless - and most have never been tested for their effects on human health. And while there are ways to reduce the impact of some exposure, it's just not reasonable to think you can avoid toxic exposure altogether. Take steps to minimize the exposure, pay attention to the sources of fruits, vegetables, fish, meats and water you consume and share with your family, and incorporate a regular, natural detoxification program into your health regimen.

Audio
	Our Toxic World audio presentation by Dr. John Zenk	|   18:42Min