Environmental Health Hazards in History

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