Chemical Levels and Your Body- What You Don't Know

A recent article from CNN.com discusses a new type of testing that reveals industrial chemicals in humans. One family took part in a cutting-edge study to measure industrial chemicals in their bodies and found the chemical exposure in children was seven times higher than the amount found in adults.

The technology used in this type of testing is only ten years old, and it is a hot topic among environmentalists, who call it “body burden,” and scientists, refer to it as biomonitoring.” Though it may have many names, most Americans have never heard of this testing.

A controversial topic, some suggests that industrial toxins could be leading to more childhood diseases and disorders. Rates of asthma, childhood cancers, birth defects and developmental disorders have increased exponentially, and it cannot be explained by the human genome. What has changed is the level and exposure of chemicals.

Other public advocacy groups disagree saying that trace levels of industrial chemicals in our bodies do not necessarily pose health risks. The fact remains that industrial chemicals have been found in the human body.

The chemicals found in the family tested were shown to cause neurological damage to lab rats. It leaves me to wonder what I can eliminate from my life to reduce my exposure to these chemicals.

An example of one class of chemicals known as phthalates was found in the family tested. These chemicals are plasticizers, the softening agent found in many plastic bottles, kitchenware, toys, medical devices, and personal care products and cosmetics. Phthalates have been associated with reproductive defects, obesity, and early puberty. The list goes on and on. The complicated words spell out even more complex health problems. From the non-stick surface of our frying pans causing liver toxicity to the foam used to stuff our couches causing thyroid damage, most products we use seem to be made up of toxic industrial chemicals.

The problem is that most Americans are unaware that seemingly harmless everyday products can contain these harmful chemicals. The EPA does not require chemical manufacturers to conduct human toxicity studies before approving their chemicals for use in the market. Perhaps this is the next step to make consumer products safer and increase awareness that this problem exists.

source: www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/10/22/body.burden/index.html