Environmental Medicine Testing

General Effect of Toxins

• Impairs or stops function of organs such as liver, pancreas, stomach, endocrine glands, nervous system, extracellular matrix and immune function
• Blocks or displaces nutrients such as minerals & vitamins
• Causes autoimmune disease by binding to body tissues and changing its structure
• Encourages the activation of fungi, viruses bacteria and parasites which are often involved in dispelling the toxins, but also have their own negative effects
• Blocks or poisons some of the thousands of enzymes involved in digestion, transformation and elimination of substances in the body
• Causes chronic illness and degenerative disease by means of the above

General Comment on Toxins 


• Scientists, environmentalists and other professionals allied to industrial and food interests define the maximum allowable concentration of various toxins in the environment, but this approach does not take into account the combined effect of thousands of different toxins which may be present
• Among the most insidious problems are the toxic metals, because they are usually involved in blocking the detoxification mechanisms in the body

Homotoxicology 


• Homotoxicology means “poisons to Mankind” Dr. Hans Heinrich Reckeweg formulated this theory in 1952 from the principles homeopathy for the purpose of the Integration of the medical sciences. According to Dr. Reckeweg’s theories, the Human organism is a homeostatic flow system. Substances enter, interact with the organs, and exit the system. Wholesome substances cause no disturbance to the flow equilibrium. Toxic substances evoke defensive measures which manifest as disease. Diseases are the expression of biologically oriented defence mechanisms against exogenous and endogenous toxins

Toxins in Food


• Pesticide/Herbicides
• Growth Promoters
• Drugs/Hormones
• Colours
• Emulsifiers
• Stabilisers
• Preservatives
• Synthetic Vitamins
• Flavouring Agents
• Firming Agents
• Dispersing Agents
• Defoaming Agents
• Wetting Agents
• Buffering Agents
• Oxidising Agents
• Food Irradiation
• Microwave Cooking
• GM Foods

Cosmetic Toxins


• Perfumes
• Deodorants- Aluminium
• Lipsticks-eye shadows, Liners etc.
• Hair colouring and Hairdressing materials
• Sanitary towels and Tampons (toxic shock)
• Dental Care preparations- Fluoride
• Skin Creams and moisturisers- Molybdenum
• Use cosmetics from natural sources

Toxins in Common Materials 


• Dyes (Cobalt)
• Processing Chemicals in Footwear (Manganese- Mn) from Maneb – EDM (Ethylene Diamine)
• Handles of tools and Sports Equipment
• Mobile phone covers (EDM)
• Wet Suits- Brassieres!, elasticated trousers, other elastics- EDM (Ethylene Diamine)
• Synthetic Steering Wheels-
• Packaging toxins- BisPhenol-A

Manganese 


• Manganese is a trace mineral for which optimal biological activity depends on concentration
• Manganese, like Chromium exists with several chemical valencies - they are II, III, IV and VII.
• Natural Organic Manganese has valency III
• This difference in valency could account for the toxicity of Manganese from some sources


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Molybdenum 


• Molybdenum is a mineral which is essential for the function of several liver enzymes. However it is also used as a catalyst in the desulphurisation of crude petroleum. This catalyst disappears during the process so it ends up in all petroleum products. It can accumulate by breathing in or by absorption through the skin, causing poisoning, especially of the liver through blocking of the organic Molybdenum.
• Beware of cosmetic products with paraffin or petroleum on the label, also beware of fumes from petroleum, diesel and heating oils, and candles

Prosthetics, Implants, Dental Materials 


• Orthopaedic Pins, Splints, Screws etc.
• Cosmetic Surgery with Silicone
• Cardiac Uterine and Hormone implants
• Dental Amalgam and associated infections
• Dentures, Posts, Bridges, Plates, Implants
• Root Canal Fillings and associated infections

Dental Amalgam 


• Dental Amalgam includes Mercury, Silver, Copper and Tin. There is a wide range of reactivity to these metals. Also, in general, dentists will not admit that there can be a problem despite hundreds of research papers showing this is so. Sometimes amalgam has a contaminant (Thallium) which is more toxic than Mercury. Problems can arise from Galvanic currents caused by placing of dissimilar metals in contact with each other.
• In my experience, a lot of the problems from dental amalgam arise because it suppresses the immune system and allows dormant infections to become activated. The phenomenon of dental infections was proven about 80 years ago by a dentist and pathologist Weston Price in the USA-his work has been forgotten. Dr Meinig has written an excellent book-“Root Canal Cover-Up” based on the astonishing discoveries of Dr Price

Toxins in Water 


• Fluoride
• Chlorine
• Aluminium from Water Treatment
• Pesticides/Herbicides/Fertilisers/
• Biological Contaminants
• Industrial Pollutants, Xeno-Estrogens (Estrogenic compounds in plastics and synthetic materials
• Non degradable chemicals in recycled water
• Excreted Pharmaceuticals in water

Toxins in Air 


• Industrial and Domestic Exhausts
• Ozone from Sunlight + Motor pollution
• Airborne Allergens (Pollens etc.)
• Beryllium from plasters, cements and grout
• Fibrous particles (Asbestos, Fibre glass)
• Arsenic compounds from wallpaper paste, wood preserver (mold and fungus activity)
• Fire Retardant (Arsenic and Antimony Hydrides)
• Fungal Spores (Aspergillus)

Fire Retardant


• Some fire retardants are made from compounds of Arsenic, Antimony and Phosphorus.
• Moisture activates a fungus which degrades this chemical to produce three poison gases Arsine, Stibine and Phosphine.
• There is good evidence that this is the main cause of Cot Deaths and it is the cause of illness in a good proportion of the population. There is a very informative book on this topic by Jim Sprott- “The Cot Death Cover-Up”
• This can be found in polyurethane foam, sheets and mattresses and some furniture

Jewellery


• Peoples’ reactivity to metals varies
• In general, Nickel, Chromium, Cobalt, Lead, and Cadmium are Toxic.
• Silver, Copper, Tin, Iron and Aluminium can be toxic in excess. Some people are intolerant to Gold
• Beware of metal from spectacle frames and nose rests, watches and straps, bra underwire, and jewellery in general, especially anything piercing the skin.

Beryllium 


• This is an Earth Element and is very toxic, especially to lung tissue
• It is found also in Plaster, Tiling Cement, Tiling Grout and Concrete
• In Damp conditions, mould is activated and this releases a Beryllium compound (? Beryllium Hydride) from Plaster, etc. This gaseous compound can diffuse throughout a building and cause ill health.
• This can cause a Nocardia (soil bacterium) infection in the lung which can cause a very chronic pneumonia
• I have observed that many patients who have been exposed to this develop dental infections and raised cholesterol.

Domestic and Workplace Toxins 


• Cleaning Fluids/Washing Powders
• Glass and Furniture Sprays and Polishes
• Clothing and Upholstery Cleaners and Solvents
• Insect Sprays
• Furniture and Office Equipment
• Building and Decoration Materials
• Molds and Fungi

Cobalt Blue Dye 


• A lot of blue, navy and dark navy fabric dyes are based on cobalt salts, and some people cannot tolerate this. It is a familial characteristic and commonly causes unexplained muscle pain. Denim jeans are a common source of this. The problem is aggravated where the clothing is next to the skin and gets wet.
• A common symptom is chronic muscle pain.

Toxicity from Textiles 


• The Textile Industry - serious environmental polluter
• Direct skin contact with toxic textiles is a growing problem
• Toxic chemicals in textiles are a major health problem
• Symptoms are not recognised as related to textile toxins

Some Synthetic Textiles 


• Spandex/Elastane (trade name Lycra) is a polyurethane product that can be made tight-fitting without impeding movement. Used to make Activewear, bras, and swimsuits, underclothes, socks and other garments

Toxic Chemicals used in Textiles/ Footware


• Maneb, (Mancozeb,Metiram, Nabam, Thiram, Vapam, Ziram, and Zineb) is a fungicide used for crops and footware it is a Polymeric complex of manganese with ethylene bis(dithiocarbamate). It is used in some synthetic moulded insoles, typically found in sports shoes. Another toxic item is Ethylenethiourea- a common contaminant of ethylene bisdithiocarbamates ( Maneb). It causes birth defects in high-dose reproductive studies of experimental animals. May have effects on the thyroid gland and liver; An eye irritant; The alkylthioureas are used as rubber accelerators; they are also used in insoles, adhesives, wet suits, detergents, plastics, and textiles. Used in electroplating baths and in the production of antioxidants, insecticides, fungicides, rubber accelerators, dyes, drugs, and resins; see

http://www.google.com/patents/US7661204
http://www.google.com/patents/EP2306966A1?cl=en
http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080220103#b
http://tgs.freshpatents.com/Fungicide-bx1.php
http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/category-details?id=409&table=copytblagents

Human Health Effects of Maneb 


• Numerous Case reports/studies show a wide range of health effects from minor to serious.
• Chromosomal aberrations in cultured human lymphocytes treated with Maneb (0.5, 15, or 30 ug/mL) was 10-20% greater than in controls.1
• Maneb can be metabolised to Ethylene Thiourea- shown to cause cancer.1
• Chronic exposure to Maneb associated with Parkinsonism, which is likely ascribed to exposure to the manganese moiety.2

Ethylene Diamine (EDM) 


• Used in the following products
• Fuel Additives
• Bleach Activator
• Chelating Agents*
• Fungicides
• Spandex/Elastane Fibers*
• Urethanes

Observations of Effects of EDM


• By testing patients exposed to Elastane I have observed functional deficiencies of the following-
• Zinc
• Copper
• Manganese
• Iron
• Chromium
• Iodine

Functions of Iron
Functions of Manganese
Functions of Chromium
Functions of Iodine
Functions of Zinc

NonylPhenol Ethoxylate 


• Greenpeace has published research showing the harsh reality of clothing industries using dangerous chemicals. Tests showed that many producers use dangerous amounts of chemicals suspected of causing cancer, hormonal imbalance and fetal damage. (Article from Finnish newspaper Taloussanomat: 23.8.2011)
•  Greenpeace's second "Dirty Laundry" research tested 78 products of which 52 contained Nonylphenol ethyxolate.
• Manufacturers whose clothing contained the poison were for example Nike, Adidas, H&M, Calvin Klein, Converse, Puma and Ralph Lauren.
• The test revealed only one pure manufacturer whose clothes were free of the chemical, The American Gap.

H&M abandoned the poison that causes fetal damage


• 23-8-2011, Finnish newspaper Taloussanomat reported the Greenpeace study
• 22-9-2011 Finnish blog Uusi Musta, reported “H&M abandons the poison that causes fetal damage”
• Greenpeace personnel were surprised by the swift response from H& M

Scented Chemicals in Clothing 


• A study by Anne Steinemann (University of Washington), showed toxic elements from liquid detergent and perfumed dryer sheets. Over 25 volatile organic compounds, including benzyl Acetate, Limonene, chloroform acetaldehyde and benzene which are considered carcinogens by the EPA.
• Just the fragrance chemicals alone in fabric softeners are extremely toxic, known to cause liver damage and cancer in mammals.

For more information of toxic clothing not covered here see the book “Killer Clothes”