The history of man is replete with examples of illness resulting from exposure
to environmental pollution. For example, Thor Heyerdahl, in his book
described natives who became ill when they lined their slat houses,
which had excellent ventilation, with metal sidings brought to them by the British.
Instead of aiding the natives, these slabs actually curtailed good ventilation, thus
sealing the indoor air and contributing to an accumulation of pollutants, probably
bacteria, molds, and mycotoxins (mold poisons), all of which are capable of
triggering ill health. In contrast, Florence Nightingale recognized the importance
of clean indoor air to good health, and thus demanded fresh air when she
outlined her plans for British military hospitals. She even stipulated that the
cooking facilities be in separate buildings from the sleeping quarters in order to
assure clean air for optimum healing.
Through the ages, many creative people were partially stifled by pollutant
overexposure. Their adverse reactions often were misinterpreted as psychological
when, in fact, their problems might have been due to excess pollutant exposure.
Charles Darwin was ill most of his life and often complained of pollutant and food
exposures that made him ill. The artist Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear in a
psychotic rage that might well have been due to his sensitivity to excess paint
fumes. Even Hitler had a great aversion to odors of various pollutants. This
overload might explain some of his psychotic behavior. Howard Hughes, the
industrialist, clearly had aversions to many environmental odors and eventually
became a noncreative recluse with his disease affecting him until he became
incapacitated. At times, Thomas Edison could tolerate only milk and no other
foods. On a more positive note, Billy Casper, the golf champion, and Carol
Channing, the famous movie star, were affected by foods and environmental
pollutants, overcoming them to be very productive and creative people. President
Teddy Roosevelt overcame pollutant-triggered asthma induced in cities by going to
areas of fresh air. We all have benefited from his creation of famous national
parks.
- Dr. Rea of http://www.ehcd.com
Environmental health hazards that affect our health including EMF, chemicals and mold.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Contamination of Municipal Water Supply
Water pipelines near actual or potentially contaminated soil, should be based on specifications to resist permeation. The issue here is potential. We have pipelines, railways and trucks carrying chemicals and oil were spills can occur.
Unfortunately water pipelines frequently follow the same highways that have tanker trucks carrying chemicals.
Contaminated soil has the potential to let chemicals into water pipelines in the ground.
If municipal engineers would specify pipes and gaskets that are resistant to POTENTIAL FUTURE contaminants that may end up in the soil around water pipelines, we could avoid future water contamination. Pipe stays in the ground for years, so it only makes sense to go ahead and specify pipes and gaskets for unexpected potential hazards.
Unfortunately water pipelines frequently follow the same highways that have tanker trucks carrying chemicals.
Contaminated soil has the potential to let chemicals into water pipelines in the ground.
If municipal engineers would specify pipes and gaskets that are resistant to POTENTIAL FUTURE contaminants that may end up in the soil around water pipelines, we could avoid future water contamination. Pipe stays in the ground for years, so it only makes sense to go ahead and specify pipes and gaskets for unexpected potential hazards.
Top Ten Foods Most Contaminated with Pesticides
Pesticides are commonly used in food production. Many of the foods we eat contain trace amounts of pesticides. Some have a little bit, others have much more. Which foods should be avoided? There is a list, commonly called the “dirty dozen,” of the foods containing the highest amounts of pesticides.
The twelve worst foods for pesticide contamination are apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot peppers, imported nectarines, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and sweet bell peppers. These foods are also a very large part of the American diet. These foods are supposed to be healthy, but exposure to pesticides can be very detrimental to one’s health. There are medical care professionals who focus on environmental causes of disease, such as exposure to pesticides, who can help provide a balanced approach to total health in the face of modern health hazards.
Resources
www.goodhousekeeping.com
www.ewg.org
The twelve worst foods for pesticide contamination are apples, celery, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, grapes, hot peppers, imported nectarines, peaches, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and sweet bell peppers. These foods are also a very large part of the American diet. These foods are supposed to be healthy, but exposure to pesticides can be very detrimental to one’s health. There are medical care professionals who focus on environmental causes of disease, such as exposure to pesticides, who can help provide a balanced approach to total health in the face of modern health hazards.
Resources
www.goodhousekeeping.com
www.ewg.org
Pesticides as a human health hazard
Pesticides are a part of the agriculture industry. They allow farmers to grow crops with higher yield on less land than ever before in the history of the world. They kill insects and fungi that could harm crops. There are various regulations and safeguards in place from the FDA and EPA to keep our food safe. These regulations, however do allow for trace amounts of pesticides in food.
Even trace amounts of pesticides can be harmful. Consumption of pesticides in produce can contribute to a variety of health conditions and diseases. Cancer, obesity, and diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, infertility and birth defects, and autism have all been provably linked to pesticides in food. All of these conditions require the treatment of a medical care professional. Professionals trained in treatment of environmental factors such as pesticide exposure can assist in a treatment plan for more complete personal health.
Resources
www.naturalsociety.com
www.epa.gov/food
www.ehdc.com
Even trace amounts of pesticides can be harmful. Consumption of pesticides in produce can contribute to a variety of health conditions and diseases. Cancer, obesity, and diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, infertility and birth defects, and autism have all been provably linked to pesticides in food. All of these conditions require the treatment of a medical care professional. Professionals trained in treatment of environmental factors such as pesticide exposure can assist in a treatment plan for more complete personal health.
Resources
www.naturalsociety.com
www.epa.gov/food
www.ehdc.com
Mold Exposure Testing
Molds exist everywhere. They are part of our environment, and certain individuals are sensitive to exposure to these fungi and there spores. There are methods of testing mold to determine species and toxicity levels in the home. These tests, while they can determine species of mold and concentration of spores, do not really do anything to treat any of the symptoms.
As sensitivity and symptoms can vary from person to person, and there are currently no standards to determine “safe” levels of mold exposure, the most effective action when mold is discovered in a home or workplace is to remove it immediately and thoroughly. If any symptoms, such as allergies, headaches, flu or fatigue, are experienced, seek treatment from a medical care professional. There are medical care professionals who specialize in the treatment of environmental factors such as mold exposure and can help create a comprehensive plan for complete health.
Resources
www.blackmold.awardspace.com
www.cdc.gov
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/
As sensitivity and symptoms can vary from person to person, and there are currently no standards to determine “safe” levels of mold exposure, the most effective action when mold is discovered in a home or workplace is to remove it immediately and thoroughly. If any symptoms, such as allergies, headaches, flu or fatigue, are experienced, seek treatment from a medical care professional. There are medical care professionals who specialize in the treatment of environmental factors such as mold exposure and can help create a comprehensive plan for complete health.
Resources
www.blackmold.awardspace.com
www.cdc.gov
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/
Symptoms of Mold Sensitivity
Other illnesses such as skin infections or a flu-like illness are common. Untreated, these can lead to pneumonia. Exposure to toxic molds can manifest like flu, or in headaches, dizziness, nausea, or extreme fatigue. These symptoms are serious and require treatment from a medical care professional. Many of these symptoms are the same as other illnesses, therefore treatment by a medical care professional trained in treating environmental factors, such as mold exposure, is recommended.
Resources
www.mayclinic.org
www.cdc.gov
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/
Brief overview of mold as a health hazard
Mold is a fungus that grows in damp conditions. People come into contact with mold every day. In the outdoors, molds of various types help to break down dead and decaying matter. Molds do not exist only outside, however. It is possible to be exposed to many types of mold inside the modern home.
The most common mold exposure is in damp areas such as showers and basements. Mold can grow on any porous organic material, however. This includes wood, paper, dust, carpet, and food. The easiest way to identify mold is a musty smell or a visible discoloration of the contaminated material. Exposure to mold is not uncommon, but it can make people sick. When exposed to mold, the most common symptoms mimic those of the common cold or hay fever. If these symptoms are experienced, it is important to seek medical care. A medical care professional will be able to determine whether respiratory symptoms are asthma or exposure to mold. Because the symptoms of mold exposure are similar to those of other diseases, it is important to seek a medical care professional who specializes in treating environmental factors such as mold exposure.
Resources
www.medicinenet.com/moldexposureindex
www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/
The most common mold exposure is in damp areas such as showers and basements. Mold can grow on any porous organic material, however. This includes wood, paper, dust, carpet, and food. The easiest way to identify mold is a musty smell or a visible discoloration of the contaminated material. Exposure to mold is not uncommon, but it can make people sick. When exposed to mold, the most common symptoms mimic those of the common cold or hay fever. If these symptoms are experienced, it is important to seek medical care. A medical care professional will be able to determine whether respiratory symptoms are asthma or exposure to mold. Because the symptoms of mold exposure are similar to those of other diseases, it is important to seek a medical care professional who specializes in treating environmental factors such as mold exposure.
Resources
www.medicinenet.com/moldexposureindex
www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/
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