 CFIDS & Pollution  Does pollution really effect our health and is it really a factor in CFIDS? It apparently is a factor and may be more of a factor than originally thought. I will be adding links and information pertaining to environmental hazards and chemicals to this site as I come across them. InfoBeat - U.S.: Americans absorbing chemical By ERIN McCLAM Associated Press Writer ATLANTA (AP) - Americans' bodies harbor surprisingly high amounts of mercury and a questionable chemical used in soap and cosmetics, federal health officials reported Wednesday in a landmark study on environmental toxins in the body. The study is the first nationwide to measure levels of 24 environmental toxins in people's blood and urine, providing crucial information that could be used to pinpoint pollutants that cause disease. Animal studies have suggested that large amounts of the chemical, diethyl phthalate, may disrupt normal hormone function and cause birth defects. Its effect on humans hasn't been determined. The report found that phthalates _ additives found in products from perfume to nail polish _ appeared in humans at levels ``considerably higher than one would have predicted,'' said Dr. Richard Jackson, director of the National Center for Environmental Health. Previous studies of environmental toxins had only tested air, soil and water. ``Seeing chemicals in people's bodies elevates their importance,'' said Lynn Goldman, a former Environmental Protection Agency regulator. The cosmetics industry contends phthalates are perfectly safe. ``We haven't seen any documented health effects in humans from this,'' said Marian Stanley, manager of the American Chemistry Council's phthalate panel. The study also found higher than expected levels of mercury, which is believed to cause fetal brain damage. While the study found low levels of mercury in children 1 to 5 years old, women of childbearing age reflected higher levels than previously estimated by the EPA, Goldman said. ``That would mean we haven't been taking the problem seriously enough,'' she said. The numbers, based on a 1999 study of 3,800 people across the country, may affect government regulation of toxins such as lead, mercury and pesticides. In many cases, there are no previous numbers available for comparison. The government plans to conduct the study annually, expanding it to more than 100 chemicals. The reports will be broken down by demographic categories such as race, age, education and geographic region. ``It could be revolutionary in terms of environmental health in the United States,'' Jackson said. On the Net: CDC report: InfoBeat - U.S.: Americans absorbing chemical  Another Artical Pertaining to Effects of Environment Toxins on Our Health  Tired or Toxic? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Environmental Toxicity 03-06-2002 By Michael A. Schmidt Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Tired of Being Tired: Overcoming Chronic Fatigue & Low Energy. For more information and to purchase the book, see information at the end of this article. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently recognizes more than four million chemical compounds. More than 60,000 of these are produced commercially, with three new compounds introduced each day. In 1992, the EPA published the results of a study in which the urine of 7,000 randomly sampled Americans was tested for toxic chemical residues. Chemicals like pentachlorophenol, a wood preservative, and others were found in 71 percent of individuals tested. There were not people working at chemical factories or industrial waste incinerators. This study looked at the average citizen – you and me. It is disconcerting to find such a high percentage of individuals with chemical residue in their urine. These are all chemicals not even in existence 100 years ago. Many doctors who work with chronically fatigued patients and those who work in the field of environmental medicine, agree that chemical exposure is a major contributor to fatigue and low vitality. For example, if you review the symptoms of formaldehyde exposure, you will find fatigue, depression, and poor concentration right at the top. The symptoms of exposure to trichloroethylene (found in floor polish, copy machines, carpet cleaner, etc.) include fatigue, poor concentration, and drowsiness, among others. Exposure to toluene, the most common indoor air pollutant, triggers symptoms of fatigue, poor concentration, drowsiness, and headache. Methylene chloride is found in paint thinner, hair spray, adhesives, solvents, paint, flame retardants, and many other common products. The aerosol propellants found in hair sprays, antiperspirants, air fresheners, and spray paint, may contain up to 5o% methylene chloride. Once inhaled, methylene chloride goes directly to the brain, fat cells, and liver. Common symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, headaches, and chest pain. In an article entitled "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chemical Overload," Dr. R. A. Buist explained that there are many pieces of evidence suggesting that chronic fatigue may be a result of toxin exposure. He goes on to point out that toxins can disrupt muscle metabolism, accounting for the pain and fatigability of muscles experienced by many fatigued people. Buist also notes that in many chronic fatigue patients, use of recreational drugs or environmental exposure preceded the onset of their fatigue. In an address to the Well Mind Association in Seattle, Washington, David S. Bushcer, M.D., made the following remarks: "My personal theory on chronic fatigue is that the increased load of pollutants in our environment, such as pesticides, is causing people to have a breakdown of their immune systems…I would say that 70% of my patients with chronic fatigue had a chemical trigger; they moved into a new home, there was remodeling at the office, or a pesticide application, and now they have chronic fatigue. I think the mechanism is some kind of cellular poisoning from these chemicals. The affected person's detoxification system is clogged up or destroyed, they get a backlog of chemicals, and their immune system goes down." In 1992, the neurobehavioral effects of various chemicals were reviewed in Environmental Neurotoxicity, published by the National Research Council. The following symptoms commonly associated with fatigue and the number of chemicals that may cause these symptoms are significant......... Chemical toxins affect individuals in vastly different ways, depending on their individual biochemical make-up. There are several key factors that determine how an individual will react to chemical exposure. 1. Nutritional status. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrient factors play a vital role in detoxification of foreign chemicals. 2. Total toxic load. The amount of toxin, the number of toxins, and the duration of exposure to toxins, determine health effects. 3. Genetics. Due to genetic differences or abnormalities of certain enzymes, some individuals do not detoxify as readily. 4. Age. Children are more susceptible than adults. 5. State of health. Someone with chronic illness, liver disease, or altered immunity may be less able to adequately detoxify. 6. Stress. 7. Immune system status. Some reactions to toxins are mediated by the immune system. Your nutritional status has everything to do with how your detoxification systems work and how you handle the toxins in your environment. If you are deficient in the trace element molybdenum, an enzyme called aldehyde oxidase does not function properly. Under these circumstances, if you were exposed to a common pollutant such as formaldehyde, it would not be properly detoxified. In fact, such compounds are shunted into another pathway that forms other, often more toxic, compounds. In the case of formaldehyde, it gets converted into chloral hydrate – also known as “Mickey Finn” or “knockout drops.” The effect is a dopey, foggy, fatigued feeling, like you were drunk, but without the euphoria. If you are deficient in magnesium, many aspects of the detoxification mechanism do not work. The same is true of zinc deficiency. You can find the whole story at: ImmuneSupport.com http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/3404 Other Sites Relating to Environmental Issues Effecting Our Health Dr. Goldberg believe removing the toxins decreases the symptoms. PBS aired TRADE SECRETS Bill Moyers exposed secret documents that show how American chemical manufacturers have knowingly put people's health and lives at risk then lied to the public for decades. You can find out more about the effect of chemicals on your health. HEAL: Your Health Matters! "Human Ecology Action League, Inc. (HEAL) is a non-profit organization that provides current information about the health effects of environmental and chemical exposures from the unique perspective of noted professionals, as well as from those who have experienced and dealt with numerous exposure-related illnesses." FDA ISSUING FOR COLLUSION WITH MONSANTO Article written by Nancy Markle on "ASPARTAME marketed as 'NutraSweet', 'Equal', and 'Spoonful". Addresses the effects of aspartame on the body. Environmental Working Group Site contains a lot of information on various environmental issues effecting our health. Site was created by the Environmental Working Group. "(EWG) is a leading content provider for public interest groups and concerned citizens who are campaigning to protect the environment. Through our reports, articles, technical assistance and the development of computer databases and Internet resources, EWG's staff of 18 researchers, computer experts and writers produce hundreds of headline-making reports each year, drawing on original EWG analyses of government and other data. EWG is based in Washington, D.C., with an office in San Francisco." 
|