On the Coast – Families Issue 98 I February/March 2019 | Page 24

Environmental toxic exposure
and detoxification

A
toxin is any substance
that can harm your
health and with more than
144,000 man-made chemicals
now in existence, our toxic
exposure is greater than ever
before.
It’s true that the body has a brilliant
inbuilt detoxification system involving
the liver and kidneys, however at what
point does toxic overload outweigh the
ability of the body to eliminate toxins
and how can this impact our health?
Another issue that is often not taken
CHEMICAL
by Diana Arundell
into consideration, is that chemicals
can act differently when they occur in
combination and they are capable of
change. Therefore even if a chemical
may not occur in toxic amounts in one
place, if it’s combined with many other
chemicals, it may generate a greater risk
to our health and the environment.
The US department of health suggests
that 2000 new chemicals are released
each year and according to the UN
Environment Program most of these have
not been properly screened for safety in
human health. Children are at the highest
risk of impact of chemical toxicity as they
may be exposed to almost as many toxins
as adults, yet their detoxification organs
are much smaller and their body’s may be
more sensitive. Science is beginning to
link more and more health issues such as
infertility, heart disease, obesity, cancers,
autism spectrum and mood disorders to
our growing exposure to toxic chemicals.
Some examples of toxic chemicals we
may be exposed to include: Persistent
organic pollutants (POP’s) which remain
and accumulate in the environment and
body, non persistent pollutants, heavy
metals, personal care products, plastic
chemicals and air pollution. Examples of
where these chemicals are found and the
impact on health is as follows:
FOUND IN IMPACT ON HEALTH
i) Dioxins i) P
 esticides, meat, eggs, fish, dairy (non-
organic) Increased risk of cancer, fertility issues,
immune function, neurological health.
ii) Polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDE’s) ii) Flame retardants in furniture,
mattresses, clothing iii) Per/poly-fluoralkyl substances
(PFA’s) iii) Repellent of dirt/oil/water in non-stick
cookware, stain resistant fabrics
Persistent Organic Pollutants:
Non-Persistent Pollutants
i) Glycophosphate i) Widely used pesticide/weedkiller)
ii) Organophosphates ii) Fertilisers
Growth and reproductive health,
neurological issues.
Nervous system
Heavy Metals
Old paint, broken batteries, light globes,
contaminated food (fish), aluminium
cookware, foil, antiperspirants Fertility issues, neurological disorders,
free-radical damage and inflammation
i) Parabens
ii) Triclosan i) Cosmetics Hormone disruption, fertility issues
iii) Resorcinol iii) Hair dyes, topical medication
Lead, mercury, aluminium
Personal Care Products
ii) toothpaste, antiseptic hand gel,
mouthwash, soaps
Plastic Chemicals
i) Bisphenol A (BPA) Plastic food/drink containers, plastic lining
of tins/jars, eftpos receipt paper Fertility, brain function, inflammatory
bowel disease, foetal development
ii) Phthalates Plastic food wrap, vinyl, toys, air
fresheners, creams, lotions, nail polish,
scented candles Asthmas, reproductive health/
development, neurological development
Outdoor: Vehicle emissions, industrial pollution Allergies, cardiovascular problems
Indoor: Mould
Air Pollution
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KI DZ O N T H E C OA ST