Health Articles

1. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls): This industrial chemical has been banned in the United States for decades, yet is a persistent organic pollutant that's still present in your environment.

• Risks: Cancer, impaired fetal brain development

• Major Source: Farm-raised salmon and other farm-raised fish. Most farm-raised salmon, which accounts for most of the supply in the United States are fed meals of ground-up fish that have absorbed PCBs from the environment and for this reason should be avoided. (Look for wild caught salmon.  We like the brand full circle.)

2. Pesticides: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic. Alarmingly, pesticide residues have been detected in 50 percent to 95 percent of U.S. foods.

• Risks: Cancer, Parkinson's disease, miscarriage, nerve damage, birth defects, blocking the absorption of food nutrients         

• Major Sources: Food (fruits, vegetables and commercially raised meats and dairy products), bug sprays.  Look for organic, fresh, local sources.  We really like our CSA!

3. Mold and other Fungal Toxins: One in three people have had an allergic reaction to mold. Mycotoxins (fungal toxins) can cause a range of health problems with exposure to only a small amount.

• Risks: Cancer, heart disease, asthma, multiple sclerosis, diabetes

• Major Sources: Contaminated buildings, food like peanuts, wheat, corn and alcoholic beverages.  If you are going to eat peanuts go with the Valencia Peanuts.  Try going without wheat or alcohol for a week and see how it helps your energy, mood, memory and joint pains.

4. Phthalates: These chemicals are used to lengthen the life of fragrances and soften plastics.

• Risks: Endocrine system damage (phthalates chemically mimic hormones and are particularly dangerous to children)

• Major Sources: Plastic wrap, plastic bottles, plastic food storage containers. All of these can leach phthalates into our food.  Use glass or stainless steel containers whenever possible.  If you must use plastics look for the triangle on the bottom.  Number 1 is best!

5. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds): VOCs are a major contributing factor to ozone, an air pollutant.  According to the EPA, VOCs tend to be even higher (two to five times) in indoor air than outdoor air, likely because they are present in so many household products.

• Risks: Cancer, eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment

• Major Sources: Drinking water, carpet, paints, deodorants, cleaning fluids, varnishes, cosmetics, dry cleaned clothing, moth repellants, air fresheners.  Be sure to let your children's rooms off gas when you install new carpet, paint or any other upgrades.

6. Dioxins: Chemical compounds formed as a result of combustion processes such as commercial or municipal waste incineration and from burning fuels (like wood, coal or oil).

• Risks: Cancer, reproductive and developmental disorders, chloracne (a severe skin disease with acne-like lesions), skin rashes, skin discoloration, excessive body hair, mild liver damage

• Major Sources: Animal fats: Over 95 percent of exposure comes from eating commercial animal fats, so seek out grass-fed, naturally raised, organic animal foods instead. (Look for local meats raised in a healthy, happy way.)  Much commercial meats are raised in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.  If you want to watch a heart wrenching documentary check out Earthlings.

7. Asbestos: This insulating material was widely used from the 1950s to 1970s. Problems arise when the material becomes old and crumbly, releasing fibers into the air.

• Risks: Cancer, scarring of the lung tissue, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer)

• Major Sources: Insulation on floors, ceilings, water pipes and healing ducts from the 1950s to 1970s.

8. Toxic Metals: Metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, aluminum and cadmium, which are prevalent in many areas of our environment, can accumulate in soft tissues of the body.

• Risks: Cancer, neurological disorders, Alzheimer's disease, foggy head, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, decreased production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels

• Major Sources: Drinking water, fish, vaccines, pesticides, preserved wood, antiperspirant, building materials, dental amalgams, chlorine plants.  We use an RO filter in our home and avoid unnecessary shots and toxins.

9. Chloroform: This colorless liquid has a pleasant, nonirritating odor and a slightly sweet taste, and is used to make other chemicals. It's also formed when chlorine is added to water.

• Risks: Cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage.

• Major Sources: Air, drinking water and food can contain chloroform.

10. Chlorine: This highly toxic, yellow-green gas is one of the most heavily used chemical agents.

• Risks: Sore throat, coughing, eye and skin irritation, rapid breathing, narrowing of the bronchi, wheezing, blue coloring of the skin, accumulation of fluid in the lungs, pain in the lung region, severe eye and skin burns, lung collapse, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) (a type of asthma)

• Major Sources: Household cleaners, drinking water (in small amounts), air when living near an industry (such as a paper plant) that uses chlorine in industrial processes, tap water in your shower/bath.  Try products from Seventh Generation or another source of safe, green products. 

You should also look out for bisphenol A (BPA), a common ingredient in many plastics, including those in reusable water bottles and resins lining some food cans and dental sealants that can change the course of fetal development in a way that increases your risk of breast cancer.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), meanwhile, found in grease- and water-resistant coatings and cookware like Teflon and Gore-Tex, is a likely carcinogen that can be partly avoided by not using Teflon non-stick cookware.