Our kids may be more
affected by toxins than we think.

New finding show young children with heavy toxic burdens

Would you believe that right now your body, the one you have nurtured, fed and taken care of for years, (and I might say, the only one you have), may contain up to 40 toxic chemicals? And, if you have children, even your ten-year-old may harbor as many, if not more. I have been writing many Health Alert articles warning consumers and parents of the increasing concern for all the toxic chemicals we are all exposed to every day. In this regard, I came across an article about a research study that tested for man-made chemicals found in homes, offices and people and what they found may surprise you.

As reported on EcoStreet.com, A Star-Telegram study was conducted to explore our exposure to toxic chemicals that exist in everyday life. They obtained 12 volunteers from the Dallas, Texas, Tarrant County population. The results of the study found traces of dozens of potentially harmful chemicals in all twelve test subjects. These chemicals include flame retardants in upholstery and computer wires, pesticides commonly found on fruits and vegetables and coatings such as what is found in microwave popcorn bags, fast-food packaging and stain-resistant fibers in carpets. What was shocking was that the ten-year-old subject, Kyle Counts, exhibited 39 toxic chemicals in his body, his sixteen-year-old sister, Kimbra, has at least 37 and their parents each have no less than 47 each.

Here are the results of the study:

In the twelve volunteers they found:

Forty-nine chemicals known to cause or suspected of causing cancer.

Found at least 50 chemicals known to cause or suspected of causing developmental and neurological disorders, including birth defects and behavioral problems.

Trace amounts of 14 dioxins and related compounds. Dioxins are the most toxic substance regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

More than a dozen flame retardants, including one type that’s common in Europe but had never before been found in the blood of anyone living in the United States.

7500 chemicals have been introduced to our environment
and 80% of these chemicals have unknown side effects.

Of course, the most concerning part of these results is the fact that health experts are still at a loss to explain what this “cocktail of chemicals” does to the body. However, scientists have generally agreed that the build up of toxic chemicals can weaken our immune system, and at high levels, may even cause cancer, birth defects and developmental problems.

This information has been around for some time. However, the consumer may not be aware of how prevalent these chemicals are and how they are turning up in our bodies on a regular basis. Christopher Haase, the Director of Environmnetal, Health and Safety at Environmentally Sensitive Solutions, Inc., has compiled a huge library of articles and blog posts having to do with this issue. Most of his information is gleaned from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), ARB (Air Resources Board) and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) archives.

Below are some of the shocking statistics that point to a global concern over the cascade of potentially deadly toxic chemicals in our world:

Seconds after exposure to chemicals in consumer products, traces of these chemicals can be found in nearly every organ in the body. (EPA & CDC)

Cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals! —American Cancer Society

Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and
psychological abnormalities. —Consumer Product Safety Commission

A 2006 study by The National Environmental Trust (NET) - cited dangers of the “toxic cocktail” found
in the typical American home. Virtually all current cleaning products use chemicals which are internationally recognized as toxic or hazardous by current regulatory standards contributing to this “cocktail”.

According to the National Research Council, no toxic information is available for more than 80% of the
chemicals in everyday-use products.

In the past 50 years more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the environment. Today 300 synthetic chemicals are found in the bodies of humans. Even newborn babies have synthetic chemicals passed on from their mothers. —REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals, a European Union program)

For every pound of neurotoxins, carcinogens, or reproductive or developmental toxins released to the air, water, or land, another 42 pounds of these chemicals were found in the same types of products used in or around the home .(ARB.gov)

The amount of toxic chemicals shipped in products likely to end up in consumers’ homes is more than 40 times the amount of these chemicals released to the environment. (ARB.gov)

After reading all the above findings, it can’t help but leave one feeling frightened for our future. But this article is not meant to frighten you, but to educate and inform you. In this regard, there is also a site that you can visit that will help you navigate your way in dealing with all the chemical dangers in our world. If you would like to learn more about what to do to protect yourself and your family in the area of household products, go to epa.gov.