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Green and Clean: Options for Non-Toxic Living and Techniques for Dealing with Toxic Exposures
by Kristie Ferreira, ND
Back to Environmental Medicine
1. Why is environmental quality an important consideration in health care today?
2. Who should be concerned about toxicity?
3. What does body burden mean?
4. What are some of the toxins that people are exposed to on a daily basis?
5. So where do we find these types of toxic substances?
6. Why are some people sensitive to certain toxins or allergens while other people are not?
7. What happens to toxins once they get into the body?
8. What types of foods do we need to worry about in terms of toxic contaminants?
9. There is so much talk about plastics lately, is there a way to know which plastics to avoid and which ones are ok?
10. There are so many possible sources of contamination how can we possibly be health in an unhealthy world?
11. What about using air filters in the home or office? What kinds are the best?
12. What are some of the techniques used by naturopathic doctors to remove toxins from the body?
1. Why is environmental quality an important consideration in health care today?
People are exposed to a wide variety of contaminants on a daily basis. Living in a
supposedly pristine environment does not rule out toxic exposures. We can be exposed
to a variety of toxins from many different sources. People who live in the Northeast for
example are exposed to toxins in the air that actually originated from factories in the
mid west. So even if you live in the Adirondacks or the upper reaches of Maine you
still have some exposure from air pollution that originated many, many miles away.
Then there are contaminants that are in our food, in products that we buy, and in the
materials that we use to construct our homes and offices. Even the clothing that we
wear and the bedding that we sleep on can emit low concentrations of toxic vapors.
Frequently, through work, play, or just living, people are exposed to a high level of one
or more toxins and symptoms begin to arise. For example, the factory worker exposed
to a slug of indoor air pollutants, the fire fighter exposed to the multitude of toxins in
a fire, workers and volunteers responding to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill, the home garden
applying pesticides to their lawn and garden, or simply the person who remodeled
their home and was exposed to contaminants in both old and new building materials.
When the body burden of toxic chemicals, aka the toxic load, gets too great, symptoms
can arise such as thyroid dysfunction, prostate enlargement, high cholesterol levels,
reproductive problems, bladder incontinence, arthritis, HTN, weight gain and inability
to lose weight, hair loss, fatigue, insomnia, gallbladder problems, irritability and
depression, and constipation.
The Standing Committee of European Doctors stated in September of 2005 that “the
current proliferation of a number of diseases is a consequence of environmental
degradation and that chemical pollution poses a serious threat to children and to the
human race”. Television programs such as CNN’s Toxics In America with Sanjay
Gupta, MD are continuing to shed light on this wide spread problem.
I believe that exposure to toxic contaminants is one of the top health issues our
generation faces. There is a growing body of evidence linking endocrine, immune,
and neurological heath issues to low dose exposures to multiple chemicals and
toxins. It is becoming widely recognized that most cases of cancer can be attributed
to exposure to toxic chemicals. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that
environmental factors account for 75% of all cancers and it has been estimated that 1
in 3 people will get cancer in one form or another. I like what Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald
says in her book The Detox Solution: we are spending billions of dollars looking for
the cure to cancer while we are also spending billions of dollars creating the cause.
2. Who should be concerned about toxicity?
We all need to be concerned about toxic exposures. Exposures come in such
varied forms that we all need to be quite vigilant. Even those of us who try to avoid
contaminants may be exposed in ways that we had previously not thought of. For
example, it was previously thought by many people that polycarbonate water bottles
such as nalgene bottles and water cooler bottles were safe. Evidence is now quickly
coming to light that polycarbonate water bottles (recycle code 7) leache Bisphenol-A
(BPA). BPA is an estrogen agonist meaning that it activates estrogen receptors. It
has been shown to have effects on animals and human cancer cells at levels as low as
2–5 ppb (parts per billion). BPA has also been shown to have developmental toxicity,
carcinogenic effects, and possible neurotoxicity. It has been linked to obesity and
schizophrenia.
BPA has also been known to leach from the plastic lining of canned foods. The
chemical is said to be found in almost everyone that lives in developed countries at
relatively low concentrations. Studies indicate, however, that the average levels in
people are above the levels that cause harm to animals in laboratory experiments.
Infants fed with liquid infant formula have among the highest exposures of anyone
eating canned foods.
The Environmental Working Group just broke a Mar 25th 2008 report from the
US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which reveals that 97% of Americans
are contaminated with a widely-used sunscreen ingredient called oxybenzone.
Oxybenzone has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. A
companion study published just one day earlier revealed that this chemical is linked
to low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy.
Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals
penetrate the skin.
3. What does body burden mean?
Body burden is a concept that was first postulated by Dr. William Rae whom I had the
pleasure of preceptoring with. Dr. Rae explains body burden as a Rain Barrel with rain
water coming in to it from many different down spouts. However, instead of rain water
each spout carries toxic contaminants. In the beginning, the barrel is able to handle
all the water (or in our example contaminants) coming into it; there is plenty of room
to accommodate the water coming in. At some point the barrel becomes full and can
no longer accommodate all that is coming into it and it begins to spill over. When the
barrel spills over, or in other words when our body can no longer accommodate the
toxic substances coming in, we begin to express symptoms of exposure. At first, we
may show sensitivity to certain substances such as colognes and perfumes or have
more severe allergies than most other people to things like pollen and pet dander. As
the burden increases, or as the barrel continues to over flow, and the body is further
stressed, we may express severe sensitivities to more and more chemicals eventually
becoming sensitive to multiple chemicals. These would be people with multiple
chemical sensitivities.
4. What are some of the toxins that people are exposed to on a daily basis?
Toxins come in many shapes and forms. Dr. Rae divides toxins in to three basic
categories: physical, chemical and biological toxins. Physical toxins include heat,
cold, radon, light, noise, electromagnetic fields, weather and meteorologic changes.
Chemical toxins include inorganic and organic toxins. Inorganic toxins include
ozone, cyanide, chlorine, asbestos, nitrous oxide and heavy metals such as lead,
cadmium, mercury and aluminum. Organic chemicals include petroleum products
such as benzene, toluene and xylenes; chlorinated solvents such as vinyl chloride and
tetrachloroethylene; pesticides and herbicides, formaldehyde, and phenols. Biological
contaminants include molds, dusts, pollens, bacteria, amoeba, worms, viruses, protozoa
and other parasites. Biological contaminants may be found in the air, on dust, in our
food, and in bioaerosols created when people cough or sneeze.
Among the three main categories, I would include a another category, namely,
emotional and cognitive toxins because negative thoughts and depressed emotions can
have a major impact on our bodies ability to handle stress including stress placed on
the body by toxic substances. Going back to the body burden theory, negative thoughts
and depressed emotions can shrink our rain barrel so to speak and cause symptoms
of toxicity to occur earlier than they would have, had our thoughts and emotions been
more positive.
5. So where do we find these types of toxic substances?
Building materials that form our homes, offices and schools may contain substances
such as lead and mercury-based paints, asbestos-containing materials, formaldehyde,
plastics in furnishings, computers, TVs, other equipment. Lead and asbestos are more
common in older buildings but putting asbestos in building materials is no longer against
the law and you could find it even in newer buildings.
Plastics and plasticizers are given off by things like TVs, computers, copiers and
other equipment when they begin to heat up during use. I recently purchased a mini-
trampoline or rebounder from one of the big box stores. When I got it home and set it
up I couldn’t believe the amount of toxic vapors that were being emitted from the plastic
skirting that covered the springs. I had to remove the plastic skirting before I was able
to use the rebounder indoors. Even the paper instructions were so permeated with the
toxic vapor that I had to read them outdoors.
Carpets, carpet backing and foam carpet pads can off gas volatile organic compounds
such as benzene and formaldehyde both of which can irritate your eyes, nose and throat
and are suspected carcinogenic substances.
Newly painted walls can also off gas VOCs including formaldehyde.
Book cases
and desks made of particle board with formaldehyde containing glues can off gas.
Cushions to sofas and chairs are made of polyurethane foam plastic and can be
covered with synthetic fabrics that contain acrylic, polyester or polyvinyl chloride.
Formaldehyde resins are used to coat the fabrics to make them resistant to stains.
Considerable amount of toxic substances are released into the indoor air in personal
items such as scents and hair sprays; in household products such as finishes, rug and
oven cleaners, paints and their thinners, paint strippers, pesticides; dry-cleaning fluids
off gassing from recently
dry-cleaned clothing; office products such as correction fluids, carbonless copy paper,
treated papers; graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent
markers, and photographic solutions. Just to name a few.
Cosmetics and skin care products can contain numerous toxic chemicals. Synthetic
perfumes used alone or included in beauty and hygiene items can contain up to 600
hundred ingredients in a single formulation; up to 4,000 ingredients are used by the
industry. Many of the ingredients are protected by trade secrecy and not listed in
the product ingredient list. Some known ingredients include methylene chloride,
toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethanol, benzyl chloride, polyvinyl-
pyrrolidone plastic (carcinogenic) and formaldehyde. Lipstick has recently been in the
news due to the fact that many lipsticks contain lead. Lipstick is a double whammy
because it is absorbed through the skin and swallowed. Fluoride toothpaste can
contain ammonia, ethanol, artificial colors and flavors, formaldehyde, mineral oil, sugar
and carcinogenic polyvinyl-pyrrolidone plastic.
Powders like talc, eye shadow, and some powdered blush can contain asbestos.
Synthetic fabrics used in clothing include nylon, polyester and acrylic. These fibers are
thermoplastics made from petrochemicals and they can contain among other things
polyvinyl chloride and formaldehyde-based finishes. When warmed against the skin
they can emit small amounts of plastic vapors.
Bedding can also emit vapors which we then breathe while we sleep. The fact that
we sleep for about 1/3 of our life means that we inhale these chemicals for 1/3 of our
life. Most mattresses are made of polyurethane foam, sprayed with chemical fire
retardants and covered with polyester plastic fabric. Polyurethane foam can itself cause
respiratory problems and skin and eye irritation. Polyurethane foam also contains
toluene diisocyanate which can also produce lung problems. Polyester mattress pads
and sheets are treated with a formaldehyde-based permanent-press finish. Many
blankets and comforters are made of polyester or acrylic causing additional vapor
release. (Success in the Clean Bedroom - Dr. William Rae and Natalie Golos )
Recent studies have shown that our drinking water is contaminated with pharmaceutical
drugs such as antibiotics and hormones, as well as, petrochemicals and heavy metals.
Electromagnetic Fields
6. Why are some people sensitive to certain toxins or allergens while other people
are not?
I have had the opportunity to assess various businesses where there were complaints
of several employees getting sick at work. Upon assessment of most of these places
you find that two or three people have symptoms of exposure while the majority of
employees do not. Why is that? People have different susceptibilities to toxins. A
person’s susceptibility and response to toxins is dependent on a number of factors
including their age, gender, genetic factors, health status, nutritional status, metabolism,
and life style factors. Often young people are more sensitive to toxins than adults; and
the effects can be much more serious. Someone with an autoimmune disease will
be more susceptible than someone who is in a higher state of health. A person who
exercises may have less susceptibility that someone who does not. Someone whose
rain barrel is full or nearly so, in other words who has a high toxic load, will react more
readily to toxic exposures than someone with a low toxic load.
7. What happens to toxins once they get into the body?
First of all how do toxins get into the body?
Toxins can be inhaled, swallowed,
absorbed through the skin or injected in the case of prescription or illegal drugs. Once
taken in by the body they can then be distributed throughout the body in the lymph
system or blood supply, and be absorbed by various tissues such as fats cells, bone,
cartilage and muscles. There toxins can exert effects: pharmaceutical, pathological,
and DNA damaging.
Toxins can then accumulate in different tissue and organs such as the liver, serum
proteins, bone (Pb), kidneys, and fat. Of course, fat is present throughout the body and
is very abundant in the brain.
The liver is the body's primary detoxifying organ. Detoxification is carried out in the liver
in two related processes known as Phase I and Phase II. Phase I serves to biotransform
substances through oxidation, reduction or hydrolysis, using the cytochrome P450
enzymes. This process increases the solubility of molecules and prepares them for
Phase II reactions which will further increase their solubility.
The Phase I reactions are necessary for detoxification, but the resulting production of
reactive oxidative products can at times be very damaging.
In Phase II, conjugation reactions add a polar hydrophilic molecule to the metabolite or
toxin, converting lipophilic (fat loving) substances to water-soluble forms for excretion
and elimination. Major Phase II pathways include glutathione, sulfate, glycine, and
glucuronide conjugations. Supporting these pathways is extremely important in a
successful and safe detox program.
Major excretion pathways
Kidney - urinary excretion (mostly hydrophiles)
Liver - biliary excretion (mostly lipophiles)
Lungs – air - passive diffusion into exhaled air in lungs - mostly low-MW
volatile lipophilic compounds (organic solvents)
Sweat, saliva, tears, breast milk and semen.
8. What types of foods do we need to worry about in terms of toxic contaminants?
Many processed foods contain artificial colors and flavors, as well as, pesticides.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharine can also be a problem.
The EWG has published The Dirty Dozen - fruits and veges which contain the most
pesticides these are: Apples, Bell Peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported),
Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries.
Fish with highest levels of mercury: Atlantic (farmed) Salmon, Large carnivorous fish
such as Swordfish, Shark, Tuna, and Halibut. Dr. Chris Spooner, ND, professor of
environemental medicine at the University of Bridgeport, calls Farmed Atlantic Salmon
the most toxic food currently available. Go to www.EWG for fish found to have the
lowest toxicity levels.
9. There is so much talk about plastics lately, is there a way to know which plastics
to avoid and which ones are ok?
Rule Number 1: Avoid plastic when possible; otherwise opt for safer choices in plastics:
1 PETE: Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, used for soft drink, juice, water, detergent, cleaner
and peanut butter containers.
2 HDPE: High density polyethylene, used in opaque plastic milk and water jugs, bleach,
detergent and shampoo bottles and some plastic bags.
3 PVC or V: Polyvinyl chloride, used for cling wrap, some plastic squeeze bottles, cooking oil and
peanut butter jars, detergent and window cleaner bottles.
4 LDPE: Low density polyethylene, used in grocery store bags, most plastic wraps and some
bottles.
5 PP: Polypropylene, used in most Rubbermaid, deli soup, syrup and yogurt containers, straws
and other clouded plastic containers, including baby bottles.
6 PS: Polystyrene, used in Styrofoam food trays, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, carry-
out containers and opaque plastic cutlery.
7 Other: Usually polycarbonate, used in most plastic baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, “sport”
water bottles, metal food can liners, clear plastic “sippy” cups and some clear plastic cutlery.
New bio-based plastics may also be labeled #7.
Safer Choices for Food and Beverages: 1, 2, 4, and 5
Avoid: 3, 6, and 7
Use alternatives to polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and “sippy” cups.
BPA and plastisizers are likely to be leached at a high rate from old scratched and
worn plastics and from plastics exposed to hot, acidic or oily foods and drinks. Harsh
detergents also increase the rate of leaching.
10. There are so many possible sources of contamination how can we possibly be
healthy in an unhealthy world?
We are all exposed to many different toxins from
many different sources. Some of the exposures are often unavoidable while others we can do something
about. Often we choose to accept certain exposures because to do otherwise would restrict our ability to
lead our lives the way we want. For example, I was exposed to petroleum emissions every day that I drove
I-95 down to Bridgeport, CT for school. I saw cars and trucks spewing black exhaust that I had to drive
through and breath. On the other hand, there are some are risks that we might decide to avoid if we have
the knowledge to make informed choices. Indoor air pollution is a good example of exposures that we can
reduce by reducing exposures to plastics. Avoid those toxins that you can, but don’t become overly stressed
about things that you can’t control because as I have said before, stress chemicals released into the body
by negative stress and worry are also a form of toxin and will affect the bodies toxic load.
11. What about using air filters in the home or office? What kinds are the best?
Start with a good HEPA vacuum cleaner, then get a good HEPA air filter (eg., Austin
Air) with activated carbon to help filter VOCs.
12. What are some of the techniques used by naturopathic doctors to remove toxins from the
body?
The first and most important step in a detoxification program is to eliminate or reduce the
underlying cause. In other words stop the exposure if at all possible. For example,
if you are a painter and you are intoxicated from heavy metals and VOCs, you may
have to consider using better personal protective equipment or changing careers.
Reduce total toxic load by reducing exposure as much as you reasonably can to
other sources of toxins like perfumes, fragrances and scented products, cleaning
agents, paint, new carpeting, pressboard furniture, auto exhausts, gasoline, new
carpet and fabrics, tobacco smoke and alcohol, dry cleaning, etc. Avoid foods with
pesticides and foods that you might be allergic to. Beyond eliminating the cause
and avoiding other exposures, naturopathic doctors use many different techniques
depending on the patient and their type of intoxication.
•
Appropriate vitamins and minerals to support and modulate detoxification pathways
as well as to support the body prior and during the detox process.
•
Nutriceuticals such as indol-3 carbonal found in cruciferous veges induces
detoxification pathways and helps with estrogen metabolism.
•
Herbal supplements such as Milk Thistle and curcumin are antioxidant and
heptatoprotective (that is they protect the liver). Taraxacum root extract –has both
cholerectic and cholegogue effects. It is a source of choline which will help phase 1
clearing.
•
Isothiocyanates found in watercrest helps increase the metabolism of detoxification
intermediates.
•
Single and complex homeopathic remedies to open the pathways of elimination and
encourage the movement of toxins at the cellular level.
•
Colonics and other bowel cleansing techniques including fiber and probiotics
can help optimize bowel function and prevent the reuptake of toxins that have
been secreted with the bile into the GI tract during the detoxification process.
(Enterohepatic recirculation). A rule of detox is never do it on a constipated person.
•
Phytogreens such as spirulina and chlorella gently bind toxins and gently promote
elimination.
•
Amino acids are used to strengthen detoxification reactions, act as antioxidants to
protect the liver from damage, and as direct chelating agents.
•
Saunas, hot baths and hydrotherapy can encourage the release of toxins through
the skin while helping to increase a person’s vitality. Exercise prior to the sauna
can increase circulation and enhance the release of toxins. The increased rate and
depth of breathing during exercise can help promote release of toxins through the
lungs and breath.
•
When necessary, Toxic metals can be removed
from the body by more aggressive chelation techniques which utilize substances that bind metals and remove them from the body.
•
Mind / body therapies such as counseling, meditation may be very helpful during the
detoxification process.
Recommended Reading:
Success in the Clean Bedroom by Natalie Golos, Dr. William J Rea
Your Home, Your Health, and Well Being by David Rousseau, WJ Rea, Jean Enwright
Home Safe Home - Creating a Healthy Home Environment by Reducing Exposure to
Toxic Household Products – by Debra Lynn Dadd
Natural Detoxification - A Practical Encyclopedia by Jacqueline Krohn MD. Hartley &
Marks Publishers Inc. 2000.
Indoor Air Quality. US Environmental Protection Agency. www.epa.gov
Environmental Working Group at www.ewg.org