Environmental Toxins

[thereishope]

I know some of us mentioned we’d start a thread on the possible toxins that can affect our children and cause such things as autism, PANDAS, autoimmune disorders, etc. Keep in mind, most children may have already been genetically predisposed for an autoimmune problem, but when you add in all the toxins around us to that predisposition, the result may be what we have all seen.This is what I am contributing to that discussion for now. I know the majority of the things I am mentioning are food related, but let’s face it, there’s a lot in our food. Overall, I guess I would just say to read your labels, know that posting “natural” on products is not regulated by the FDA, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) will appear on the ingredient list of “natural” products, and sugar free a lot of the time means aspartame or Splenda have been added instead.

 

“Linda Birnbaum, director of the NIEHS, said while the causes of autoimmune diseases are not known, emerging research suggests they develop after one or more environmental exposures in genetically susceptible people."

 

 

Food dyes

http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes/index.html

Center for Science in the public interest

“Important new research has shown that commonly used food dyes, such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and six others, are linked to hyperactivity, impulsivity, learning difficulties, and Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder in many children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of these dyes, many of which are already being phased out in Europe.”

 

Effect of mercury on the brain

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9963...&topic=9585

 

HFCS

This is one blurb I found

HFCS, neurological development, and autism

http://civileats.com/2009/01/29/one-more-l...p-chain-autism/

“There has been a previous association made between diet and autistic functionality — and specifically HFCS has been singled out as a cause for worsening the disorder. This means that there has been a growing body of evidence relating mercury to autism for some time, in which HFCS is only a new development.”

 

Genetically modified foods-if you have choice, choose an item that says “no GMO’s”.

 

Additives

http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#fooddyes

List of additives and what happened in studies.

 

Effects of aspartame and Splenda

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/nutraswt.htm#kids

Just because it says sugar free, doesn’t mean it’s good for you!

 

Autism and enviormental exposures during pregnancy

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/con...utism/index.cfm

National Institute for Environmental health

“Twin and family studies suggest an underlying genetic vulnerability to autism, and a growing area of research indicates that the disease may be caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. One hypothesis is that the disease may be triggered during early fetal development, and that environmental exposures during pregnancy could cause or contribute to the disorder”

 

Now this is just some of the toxins, imagining adding things like pesticides on foods, pesticides around your house, air pollution, etc. It makes you wonder how any of us are healthy.

 

Finally, I have signed The Safe Kids Chemicals Act and here’s a link if you wish to do so as well…

 

The human race is now polluted with hundreds of industrial chemicals – with little or no understanding of the consequences. Babies are born pre-polluted with as many as 300 industrial chemicals in their bodies when they enter the world. Please sign The Safe Kids Chemicals Act now.

http://www.ewg.org/kid-safe-chemicals-act-...-chemicals-act/

[NancyD]

This is EXCELLENT, Vickie. Thank you! As soon as I get my daughter back to school in a couple of weeks I will start adding to this.

 

Nancy

[thereishope]

Here is a list of food that are rated worst for pesticides along w/ a score according to "Consumer Reports"....

Peaches, domestically grown (N. America)- 4,848

Peaches from Chile- 471

Winter squash, domestically grown- 1,706

Apples, domestically grown- 550

Pears, domestically grown- 435

Pears from Mexico- 415

Spinach, domestically grown- 349

Spinach from Mexico- 256

Grapes, domestically grown- 228

Grapes from Chile- 339

Celery, domestically grown- 255

Green beans, domestically grown- 222

 

For the full story, visit..

http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/dis...=19990809222752

 

 

The Environmental Working Group also came up with a list of the "dirtiest" (and "cleanest") fruits and vegetables, in terms of pesticide residue you'll encounter in foods by the time they gets to the grocery store.

Peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines and strawberries top the list of the fruits and veggies to avoid, followed by cherries, lettuce, grapes (imported), pears, spinach, and potatoes; these are the best choices for you to buy organic and keep pesticides out of your kitchen. Incidentally, at the bottom of the list are onions, avocados, sweet corn (frozen), pineapple, mangoes, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, kiwi, bananas, and cabbage.

[kim]

http://www.springerlink.com/content/d13171q7k863l446/

 

Abstract Roundup® is the major herbicide used worldwide, in particular on genetically modified plants that have been designed to tolerate it. We have tested the toxicity and endocrine disruption potential of Roundup (Bioforce®) on human embryonic 293 and placental-derived JEG3 cells, but also on normal human placenta and equine testis.

 

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs...han-glyphosate/

 

1. Popular herbicide more deadly to liver cells than its active chemical

alone.

18 August 2009

 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=A...8c73996981bf928

 

Glyphosate-based herbicides are toxic and endocrine disruptors in human cell lines

 

3: */Time- and dose-dependent effects of roundup on human embryonic and

placental cells./*

Benachour N et al.

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2007 Jul;53(1):126- 33.

Click here to read

<http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/ entrez/utils/ fref.fcgi? PrId=3055& itool=Abstract- def&uid=17486286 &nlmid=0357245& db=pubmed& url=http: //dx.doi. org/10.1007/ s00244-006- 0154-8>

 

Roundup is the major herbicide used worldwide, in particular on

genetically modified plants that have been designed to tolerate it. We

have tested the toxicity and endocrine disruption potential of Roundup

(Bioforce on human embryonic 293 and placental-derived JEG3 cells, but

also on normal human placenta and equine testis. The cell lines have

proven to be suitable to estimate hormonal activity and toxicity of

pollutants. The median lethal dose (LD(50)) of Roundup with embryonic

cells is 0.3% within 1 h in serum-free medium, and it decreases to reach

0.06% (containing among other compounds 1.27 mM glyphosate) after 72 h

[bronxmom2]

This summer my son spent two weeks in Norway with his father and his girlfriend, and they reported having no trouble with him at all, no strange movements, etc. In the photographs taken during this trip, he looks calm and composed. Part of this, I know, is that he spent very little time with other children while he was there, and I'm sure they pretty much gave him whatever he wanted... but I wonder if the cleaner environment was a factor.

[thereishope]

bronxmom,

 

His diet while in Norway probably had something to do with it. They have differerent standards for food, as well in Europe. For example, they do not put food dyes in products. Major companies have different formulas for the American version of the food (that contain food dyes) and a different formula for overseas. Same thing for HFCS. I'm not sure about everything, but I know soda overseas do not contain it, but the American versions do. Finally, some pesticieds used on Amercian crops are illegal there too. In general, I believe Norway is more organic.

 

Coincidentally, my neighbor just came back from spending 2 months in Norway. If your track the news from there, her family owns the island that had the major oil spill by it a couple of weeks ago.

 

 

 

 

 

This summer my son spent two weeks in Norway with his father and his girlfriend, and they reported having no trouble with him at all, no strange movements, etc. In the photographs taken during this trip, he looks calm and composed. Part of this, I know, is that he spent very little time with other children while he was there, and I'm sure they pretty much gave him whatever he wanted... but I wonder if the cleaner environment was a factor.

[thereishope]

Something else to add....

 

The medicines that are dumped into the water system by being poured down the drain ends up in the drinking water. There is no filter that can filter out things like antibiotics, over the counter meds, etc. I even once called the pharmacy and asked if they can dispose of some liquid meds for rme. They said they just dump it down the drain. There's no other way pharmacies even get rid of it. Through a suggestion, I poured it into a balled up paper towel and sealed it in a baggie and threw it into the garbage

 

Imagine how many meds kids are exposed to , prenatally, through drinking water.

[T_Mom]

Hi BronxMom--

We spent some time in Norway this summer and things went well also-- Two things I might add: Sunshine (vitamin D) is on overload for most in Norway in the summer. Everyone is outside ALOT and the sun does not set until about midnight -- It is also more intense.

 

Second, fish oils...something about those omegas...

 

Hiya Norge!

 

 

This summer my son spent two weeks in Norway with his father and his girlfriend, and they reported having no trouble with him at all, no strange movements, etc. In the photographs taken during this trip, he looks calm and composed. Part of this, I know, is that he spent very little time with other children while he was there, and I'm sure they pretty much gave him whatever he wanted... but I wonder if the cleaner environment was a factor.

[bronxmom2]

Yes, I think the food definitely had something to do with it, I am fairly careful with his diet here but there's still so much poison everywhere.

 

He takes fish oil here too, but maybe the norwegian fish oil is better too? I will ask him dad to send some.

 

Sometimes I am tempted to send him over there for an extended period. I suspect everything is healthier there, the air, the food, the culture, the schools,-- definitely the health care.

 

 

 

Hi BronxMom--

We spent some time in Norway this summer and things went well also-- Two things I might add: Sunshine (vitamin D) is on overload for most in Norway in the summer. Everyone is outside ALOT and the sun does not set until about midnight -- It is also more intense.

 

Second, fish oils...something about those omegas...

 

Hiya Norge!

 

 

This summer my son spent two weeks in Norway with his father and his girlfriend, and they reported having no trouble with him at all, no strange movements, etc. In the photographs taken during this trip, he looks calm and composed. Part of this, I know, is that he spent very little time with other children while he was there, and I'm sure they pretty much gave him whatever he wanted... but I wonder if the cleaner environment was a factor.

[pixiesmommy]

We do Feingold to try to eliminate as much as possible, and limit plastic in our home. Plastic grocery bags are supposed to be the #1 off-gasser in the average home, so we use reusable bags. I don't use any cleaning products other than vinegar, baking soda and elbow grease. We also just bought a Berkey water filter w/extra filters for fluoride removal. It's supposed to filter out any toxins other than minerals that you need. It is the best tasting water we've ever had, regardless!! Totally worth the investment, IMO.

 

I think the toxins MUST affect us... there are so many weird health things going on. There are toxins everywhere- in our food, in everything (cups, bowls, carpet, etc) in our homes, in medications and vaccines... in the air, in the water.... it goes on and on.

 

I have a friend who is really determined to avoid as many toxins as possible. It's incredible (and sad) that we have to put so much EFFORT into living a non-toxic life. You can read her blog here: nontoxicmama.com

[kim]

I have a lot of these articles. It's astounding to many how all of these things are known, yet everything remains a genetic mystery.

 

Chemicals can turn genes on and off; new tests needed, scientists say.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs...netics-workshop

By Bette Hileman

Environmental Health News 3 August 2009

 

Each of us starts life with a particular set of genes. Now scientists

are amassing a growing body of evidence that pollutants and chemicals

might be altering those genes---by sending subtle signals that silence

them or switch them on at the wrong times.

 

 

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs...rmone-in-inuit/

Stain repellents affect thyroid hormone levels in adult Inuits.

 

 

Rural well water linked to Parkinson’s; California study implicates farm

pesticides.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs...-and-pesticides

By Marla Cone Editor in Chief 5 August 2009

 

Rural residents who drink water from private wells are much more likely

to have Parkinson’s disease, a finding that bolsters theories that farm

pesticides may be partially to blame, according to a new California study.

 

 

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs...o-lead-in-kids/

* 4 August 2009

 

A study of young children in India has found that higher blood

lead levels are associated with a suite of behavioral and thinking

problems that can alter attention, abstract thinking and

appropriate behavior.

[thereishope]

Maybe the levels of mercury are lower in the fish they use for the fish oil.

 

 

 

 

Yes, I think the food definitely had something to do with it, I am fairly careful with his diet here but there's still so much poison everywhere.

 

He takes fish oil here too, but maybe the norwegian fish oil is better too? I will ask him dad to send some.

 

Sometimes I am tempted to send him over there for an extended period. I suspect everything is healthier there, the air, the food, the culture, the schools,-- definitely the health care.

 

 

 

Hi BronxMom--

We spent some time in Norway this summer and things went well also-- Two things I might add: Sunshine (vitamin D) is on overload for most in Norway in the summer. Everyone is outside ALOT and the sun does not set until about midnight -- It is also more intense.

 

Second, fish oils...something about those omegas...

 

Hiya Norge!

 

 

This summer my son spent two weeks in Norway with his father and his girlfriend, and they reported having no trouble with him at all, no strange movements, etc. In the photographs taken during this trip, he looks calm and composed. Part of this, I know, is that he spent very little time with other children while he was there, and I'm sure they pretty much gave him whatever he wanted... but I wonder if the cleaner environment was a factor.