10 Crazy Sources of Toxins

Posted: 20 Jan 2015 07:00 AM PST

Toxins are pretty much commonplace in this day and age. While we all wish that this wasn't the case, we also can't ignore that these destructive compounds exist all around us. Fortunately, we have numerous options to protect ourselves from many of the known toxins in our environment, with cleansing being perhaps the best consistent course of action for eliminating the bulk of toxic buildup in our bodies.

10 Unexpected Sources of Toxins

Food, air, and water are three of the biggest sources of toxins for humans and animals alike. These sources are also perhaps three of the most expected sources currently known. There are, however, some sneaky ways toxins can infiltrate your life, and knowing these sources could help you drastically reduce your exposure. That said, here are 10 crazy sources of toxins you'd probably never expect.

1. The Rich Side of Town

If you live in a wealthy area, you probably don't expect to live in a toxic environment; however, recent soil tests found arsenic, other heavy metals, and cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) across Greenwich, Connecticut, an affluent town in New England. ^[1] The presence of banned PCBs and other pollutants raises serious concern, as the town was once home to a trash incinerator and a coal plant. Since burning trash introduces nasty toxins, any area with an incinerator—current or former—is at risk.

2. Your Jeans

Do you know what was used to dye your jeans? If you don't, you should look into it. Known to cause cancer, toxic azo dyes have been banned or restricted in many parts of the world. ^[2] While the Australian government recognizes the danger (the country's Federal Health Commissioner even classed azo dyes in the same category as strychnine, cyanide, and arsenic), chemical laws haven't caught up and imported products might still use the dyes. In 2014, various Australian retailers issued voluntary recalls of jeans that might contain the dyes. ^[3]

3. The Playground

At one time, almost 90 percent of tires ended up in U.S. landfills where they would take up space, randomly burst into flames, or collect water and breed mosquitoes. Now, many of our scrapped tires are ground up into tiny pieces. Crumb rubber—essentially tire mulch—is found at school playgrounds. In theory, recycling tires to keep them out of landfills makes sense, but many studies suggest a highly-toxic situation. ^[4] ^[5] As rubber mulch decomposes, dangerous heavy metals and cancer-causing poisons are released, putting us all in danger.

4. Holiday Decorations

In late 2014, the Ecology Center tested almost 70 different holiday decorations. Of those, almost two-thirds had toxic chemicals present. ^[6] All of the items were from big chain stores (think places like Walmart, CVS, and Target), which makes exposure to the discovered toxins like lead, phthalates, and flame retardants more likely. Often, holiday products aren't well tested for toxins before sale. ^[7]

5. Pizza Box

In 2011, the FDA identified several toxic chemicals three U.S. manufacturers were using in pizza boxes. Studies suggest that perchlorate is linked to thyroid problems, possibly contributing to lethargy, weight gain, and overall decreased quality of life. Other research shows that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) could damage male reproductive systems. ^[8] ^[9] While U.S. companies have stopped using the chemicals, a new petition from several consumer and health groups is urging the FDA to block the import of certain boxes. ^[10] Some pizza boxes shipped from China and India have been suggested to still contain these dangerous compounds. While hopefully the FDA will move quickly on this issue, it's certainly food for thought.

6. Carpet

Believe it or not, carpet is actually a pretty big health concern. That new carpet smell is usually the smell of chemicals you could do without. For example, while U.S. retailers no longer use PFCs to make carpet stain repellent, imported products sometimes do. Backings could use triclosan (an antimicrobial) or even vinyl plastic, both of which are linked to health problems. ^[11] ^[12] Replacements for PFCs are also likely problematic; after all, it's just replacing one toxin for another.

7. Artificial Turf

I want to talk a little more about crumb rubber I mentioned back in number three. Not only will you find a form of crumb rubber at the playground, but it's also commonly found on the sports field. Many schools add it to fake grass because it's a "safer" surface than grass or dirt alone. More and more teenage athletes, however, are reporting health issues—sometimes life-threatening ones—after coming into constant contact with these surfaces. Of particular concern are soccer goalies who often end up with particles of the rubber–which can contain benzene and lead, among other toxins–in their noses, mouths, and eyes after dives.

8. Fishing Lures

Recently, the government has introduced more bans on lead in household items and wants to, hopefully, stop the use of it in fishing lures. The toxin is sometimes used in sinkers and other fishing gear. The proposal is part of a three-year study that just got underway by California's Department of Toxic Substances Control, part of the EPA. ^[13] While this study could lead to a much-needed federal ban, it will be a while before we know the final decision.

9. Road Salt

A new study says that heavy road salting is contributing to rising chloride levels in streams. ^[14] The U.S. Geological Survey studied water quality at streams in or around metropolitan areas and found that almost 30 percent exceeded EPA limits for chronic chloride pollution. These heavy concentrations pose a threat to our environment and our health. One solution already in place is simply cutting back on salt use. Not only does this lessen the environmental threat, but also saves money by cutting back on corrosion. It's such a simple thing, but what a difference it could make.

10. Big Catfish

Another fish consumption warning has been issued for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Catfish longer than 20 inches were discovered to be contaminated with high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), industrial toxins that can cause birth defects or cancer. ^[15] No one knows how PCBs got into the Susquehanna River catfish since the chemicals haven't been manufactured in the U.S since the late 70s.

We might be surrounded by toxins, but you can make a difference with the choices you make. Do you know of a source of toxins that isn't commonly known? Share it with us in the comments.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

Cummings, Bill. More toxins found in Greenwich soil. The Stamford Advocate.
Moore, F.D. & Tobin, L.H. STUDIES WITH RADIOACTIVE DI-AZO DYES. Journal of Clinical Investigations. 21 (4).
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. Textiles recalled after tests for azo dyes. Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.
Environmental Protection Agency. The Use of Recycled Tire Materials on Playgrounds & Artificial Turf Fields. Environmental Protection Agency.
Brown, D. et al. Artificial Turf: Exposures to Ground Up Rubber Tires – Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Garden Mulch. Environmental and Human Health, Inc.
Ecology Center. Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in a Majority of Seasonal Holiday Décor Products. Ecology Center.
The Guardian. Toxic chemicals found in majority of holiday decorations. The Guardian.
He X. et al. The association between perchlorate and thiocyanate exposure and thyroid function in first-trimester pregnant Thai women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 99 (7).
Veste, Anne et al. Persistent organic pollutants and male reproductive health. Asian Journal of Andrology. 16 (1).
National Resources Defense Council. Groups Petition FDA to Ban Toxic Chemicals Used in Pizza Boxes and Other Food Packaging. National Resources Defense Council.
Environmental Protection Agency. Long-Chain Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) Action Plan. Environmental Protection Agency.
Greenpeace Research Laboratories. Hazardous Chemicals in Carpets. Greenpeace Research Laboratories.
Safer Consumer Products. DRAFT: Priority Product Work Plan. Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Corsi, S. et al. River chloride trends in snow-affected urban watersheds: increasing concentrations outpace urban growth rate and are common among all seasons. Science of The Total Environment. 508 (1).
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY 2015 FISH CONSUMPTION. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

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