Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint from March 15, 2017.
Have you ever thought about how many chemicals you are exposed to each day, as well as your children? The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps a list of chemical substances made or processed in the U.S., which currently includes about 85,000 chemicals. However, the EPA is uncertain about the implications of these chemicals on health and the environment. Safety testing is often conducted on chemicals individually, under controlled conditions, which may not reflect real-world exposure scenarios.
One example of the toxic world we live in is bisphenol A (BPA) found in thermal paper used for receipts. BPA is known for its endocrine-disrupting properties and has been linked to various health issues. A study revealed that hand sanitizers and skin care products containing penetration-enhancing chemicals can increase BPA absorption through the skin by up to 100 times. Handling receipts after using these products can transfer BPA to your hands and then to your food, resulting in elevated BPA levels linked to health problems.
Chemicals in the environment, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can contaminate soil and enter the air through “vapor intrusion,” posing health risks to nearby residents. In Minnesota, VOCs from industries are contaminating soil, leading to potential health issues. Schools across the U.S. are also affected by toxic air pollution, highlighting the widespread presence of chemicals in various environments.
The complexity of chemical exposures, compounded by long-term and combined effects, makes it challenging to fully understand and address the risks associated with these substances. Schools are situated within 500 feet of highways, truck routes, and other roads with heavy traffic. This means that approximately 4.4 million students may be exposed to toxic air while at school, with many private schools also being close to high-traffic roads. George Thurston, a population health professor at New York University School of Medicine, stated that parents expect to send their children to a safe environment, but with this pollution, that may not be the case. The health risks of air pollution are numerous, including asthma attacks, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and slower cognitive development in students exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution. Despite warnings from the EPA in 2011, nearly 1 in 5 schools opened in 2014 were located near heavily trafficked roadways.
Chemicals are also found in waterways, affecting marine life. In places like the Wheeler basin in northern Alabama and the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, industrial chemicals are causing harm to fish and other aquatic life. These chemicals, such as PFOA and PFOS, are leading to the disappearance of certain species and causing health issues in others.
Even household pets like cats are not immune to chemical exposure, with brominated flame retardants found in household dust affecting both pets and humans. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to fertility issues and neurodevelopmental delays in children. Research has also shown that chemicals can have amplified adverse effects when combined, making it important to consider the interactions between different substances.
To reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, it is recommended to focus on locally grown, fresh, and organic whole foods, choose pastured and sustainably raised meats and dairy, and be mindful of potential sources of chemicals in food and household products. Evite la leche y otros productos lácteos que contienen la hormona de crecimiento bovino recombinante genéticamente modificada (rBGH o rBST).
Compre productos que vienen en botellas de vidrio en lugar de plástico o latas, ya que los productos químicos pueden filtrarse de los plásticos (y revestimientos de plástico), en los contenidos; tenga en cuenta que incluso los plásticos “libres de BPA” típicamente filtran productos químicos disruptores endocrinos que son tan malos para usted como el BPA.
Almacene sus alimentos y bebidas en vidrio, en lugar de plástico, y evite usar papel film.
Use biberones de vidrio.
Reemplace sus ollas y sartenes antiadherentes con utensilios de cocina de cerámica o vidrio.