Organic Well Being

Monday, December 29, 2014

Are Lead Bullets Toxic? 4 Dangers of Lead Dust

Are Lead Bullets Toxic? 4 Dangers of Lead Dust

Posted: 28 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

Lead has been banned from household paints since 1978 simply for the fact that's it's toxic and extremely dangerous when inhaled. Regular exposure on a consistent basis will destroy your health. Lead gets stored in the bones and can cross the blood brain barrier where it directly impairs the brain. It slows learning and causes developmental delays in children. Adults suffer nerve and organ damage when they are exposed to lead on a regular basis.

4 Dangers of Lead Dust

As recreational shooting has skyrocketed, so too has the concern over the lead dust left behind. This isn't about whether you like firearms or not. It's about protecting your health and the health of those around you. Recent studies have identified 4 routes of exposure that endanger the health of those who use firearms and those regularly around the items.

1. Gun Ranges May Hide a Dirty Secret

Indoor gun ranges prevent lead dust from dispersing. That may be good for the environment, but it's not good for your lungs. Inhalation is recognized as one of the ways lead dust enters the body. A recently published study found target shooting at gun ranges accounted for 2,673 cases of elevated blood lead levels across the ten year study period. ^[1] This was a limited study and doesn't reflect the rate of exposure for the entire population.

Another study reported recreational shooting accounted for the most common, non-occupational lead exposure. ^[2] Investigative reports revealed that not all gun ranges put adequate systems in place to protect their employees or customers. If you walk into a range and there's a haze in the air, it's probably not a safe environment. Whenever you head to the range, make sure to protect your health when you go.

2. Lead Dust Can Follow You Home and Assault your Family

Just because you don't see heavy dust stains, doesn't mean you're safe. Lead dust can settle on clothing, skin, or other items and then into your home. Once in the home, it mixes with dust and becomes a route of exposure for the family.

One article reported the effects of lead exposure on construction workers after working on renovations at a gun range. Once symptoms of nerve and neurological damage became apparent in one of the workers, doctors tested his entire family. The workers' children showed excessive blood lead levels. ^[3]

A similar study found ammunition was one of the major sources of lead exposure for Inuit families. ^[4] A couple of factors determined the degree of exposure. These included whether lead dust was brought into the house and how well the firearms were maintained and cleaned. ^[5]

3. Outdoor Ranges Leave Lead for Surface Water to Carry into Major Waterways

Outdoor ranges can accumulate a large amount of spent lead and lead dust. One example has been observed at the Chattanooga-Hamilton police firing range. Through years of use, the ground surface contains more than the 400 mg/kg lead limit for soil. The good news is the lead hasn't seeped into the groundwater supply. The concern, however, is surface water which carries the lead on the ground's surface into the Tennessee River. ^[6] This potentially exposes residents from Chattanooga to Paducah, Kentucky.

4. Lead Bullets Kill More than Wildlife

Recent studies find animals such as Bald Eagles are dying from lead poisoning. Eagles tested showed high lead levels during hunting season than any other time during the year. Apparently, they are encountering lead through the remnants of bullets left behind in animal remains from the hunt. [7] This leftover lead can also be a problem for people in the form of contaminated meat brought back from the hunt.

Are Copper Bullets the Answer?

Lead's danger has inspired some ammunition companies to look for safer alternatives. The problem with lead bullets is they fragment when faced with resistance. They kill by causing a lot of damage, resulting in trauma for the target. This leaves a lot of dangerous residue and can contaminate the local environment as well as the meat, in the case of hunting.

Some ammunition companies have begun producing copper bullets. These hold together better and penetrate more deeply, and they don't leave behind a toxic residue. The downside is copper bullets are more expensive, and they require greater accuracy as they will pass through a target without shattering. But it is a safe and environmentally-friendly option. The bottom line is if you're a hunter or a gun enthusiast who regularly uses lead, protect you and your family from unnecessary exposure to the toxic lead dust from lead bullets.

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

References:

Beaucham C, Page E, Alarcon WA, Calvert GM, Methner M, Schoonover ™, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Indoor firing ranges and elevated blood lead levels – United States, 2002-2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014 Apr 25;63(16):347-51.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance–United States, 2008-2009. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2011 Jul 1;60(25):841-5.
Christine Willmsen and Lewis Kame. Bellevue shooting range poisoned dozens. The Seattle Times.
Fillion M1, Blais JM1, Yumvihoze E1, Nakajima M2, Workman P2, Osborne G2, Chan HM3. Identification of environmental sources of lead exposure in Nunavut (Canada) using stable isotope analyses. Environ Int. 2014 Oct;71:63-73. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.06.004.
Thomas Rohner. House dust, ammunition lead to high lead levels in Inuit,: study. Nunatsiaq.
Louie Brogdon. Report: Lead from police firing range on Moccasin Bend may be leaching into the Tennesse River. Times Free Press.
Bedrosian B1, Craighead D, Crandall R. Lead exposure in bald eagles from big game hunting, the continental implications and successful mitigation efforts. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51978. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051978.

The post Are Lead Bullets Toxic? 4 Dangers of Lead Dust appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

New Research Links BPA Exposure to High Blood Pressure

Posted: 27 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

While you may be tempted to reach for a frosty can of soda or a chilled bottle of water every time you're thirsty, drinking from cans and plastic bottles may have unwanted effects on your health. Plastic and metal food and beverage containers often contain BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical associated with a range of health problems including diabetes, cancer, and obesity. The chemical can be found in a variety of common products, from cans and dental fillings to cash register receipts.

Health Effects of BPA

When it comes to your health, there are many toxins in our environment that can unseeingly contribute to chronic health conditions. According to a recent study, BPA may have a big impact on your blood pressure. In the study, volunteers drank soy milk of the same temperature and brand out of either a can or glass bottle. Afterwards, researchers measured how much BPA was in their urine, took their heart rate, and noted their blood pressure. ^[1]

The researchers chose soy milk specifically for this experiment, as the drink has no known blood pressure-elevating ingredients. Researchers discovered a 1,600% spike in the level of BPA in the urine of those who drank from a can. While their heart rate typically remained unchanged, there was a noteworthy increase in their blood pressure. Specifically, the systolic blood pressure of those who consumed canned soy milk rose by approximately 4.5 mmHg compared to those who drank from glass bottles.

A 20 mmHg rise in systolic pressure makes you twice as vulnerable to heart disease. This means by frequently eating and drinking from plastic bottles and cans, you may increase your risk of heart disease, among other concerns. If you already have high blood pressure, you are especially at risk.

Common Sources of BPA

To avoid increasing your risk for heart disease, hypertension, and other unwanted side effects, researchers suggest trying to limit your BPA consumption. Here are the most common products containing BPA:

Water Bottles

BPA can be found in both one-time use and reusable bottles. Do not drink from a one-time use bottle more than once (or at all), and make sure reusable bottles are clearly labeled BPA-free.

Canned Drinks and Foods

Most cans are lined with a resin containing BPA. To avoid BPA consumption, stick to fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and go for glass-bottle beverages. When it comes to foods like soups, salsas, and tomato sauce, choose brands that come in glass jars and cardboard boxes.

Microwavable Foods

Microwavable food packaging often contains polycarbonate plastic, which can release BPA when broken down at high temperatures. Typically, containers with the number 7 recycling code are made with polycarbonate.

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

References:

Sanghyuk Bae, Yun-Chul Hong. Exposure to Bisphenol A From Drinking Canned Beverage Increases Blood Pressure. Hypertension. December 8, 2014. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.04.261.

The post New Research Links BPA Exposure to High Blood Pressure appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

What Does the Appendix Do?

Posted: 26 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

For most of you, the only real experience you might have with your appendix is likely a bad one – namely, that something went wrong and it had to be removed. You probably even received a nice scar as a souvenir of the event. But what exactly is the appendix and what does it do?

Appendix Described

The appendix is a tube-shaped sac opening into the large intestine. It exists in humans as well as a small number of other mammals, including the koala and apes. In medical terms, it's referred to as ‘vermiform appendix’ for its thin, worm-like shape. For years, the appendix was dismissed as a lingering souvenir of our evolutionary past.

Many scientists—including Charles Darwin—believed this small pouch protruding from the large intestine was a vestigial organ that once helped humans to digest tree bark. Since tree bark is no longer included in the daily diet of the average human, it was presumed that the appendix no longer served a function. However, more recent research from the Duke University Medical Center suggests otherwise.

Surprising Functions of the Appendix

Far from being useless, the appendix may produce and protect beneficial germs in the digestive system. According to researchers, the human digestive system is full of bacteria necessary to digest food. ^[1] Under attack from diseases such as cholera or dysentery, sometimes these important kinds of bacteria are purged or killed off. In such situations, the appendix can act as a reserve for good bacteria. After the immune system beats off the disease, the bacteria emerge and re-colonize the gut.

While the appendix may play a helpful role in the human body, it still carries the potential for harm that we alluded to above. Appendicitis is a common and serious appendix-related disease where the appendix becomes inflamed and can rupture, resulting in detrimental, often fatal consequences. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that around 300 to 400 Americans die from appendicitis every year. ^[2]

Even though the appendix may serve a useful purpose, it's important to get the appendix removed in the event of appendicitis and other appendix-related diseases. Removal of the appendix is a commonplace procedure without any apparent negative effects, and neglecting to have it removed once it becomes inflamed could be very harmful.

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

References:

Duke Medicine News and Communications. Appendix Isn't Useless at All: It's a Safe House for Bacteria. Duke Medicine.
NBC News. Scientists may have found appendix's purpose. NBC Health News.

The post What Does the Appendix Do? appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The 5 Worst Things about Flame Retardants

Posted: 23 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

Not long ago, I discussed 12 ways toxins are sneaking into your life, and while I briefly mentioned the health dangers of flame-retardants, that was just the tip of the iceberg. There's been a lot of talk lately about these chemicals: namely, that they don't work as well as claimed. There's even data suggesting that items treated with flame retardants and those untreated tend to burn at the same rate. So what benefits, if any, are these chemicals providing for us? ^[1] Well, they're certainly not helping, and here are 5 of the absolute worst things about them.

1. Cancer Risk

For years, studies have suggested that flame retardant chemicals cause cancer. The most recent study in October 2014 tested healthy Americans for the presence of six chemicals. Flame retardant toxins were found in the blood and urine of all the subjects. ^[2] One of the toxins, TCEP has never even been seen in the US! Another toxin, chlorinated Tris, was once used to treat pajamas. Evidence came out in the 1970s linking it to DNA mutations and cancer risks, so it was removed from the pajamas. Unfortunately, it has still been used to treat furniture foam. As many of us are exposed to these poisons as they're inside the furniture, this is cause for concern.

2. Environmental Concerns

Once flame-retardants are in our environment, like most pollutants, they tend to stay there. They're even getting into the bodies of certain gulls. Since these birds aren't eating furniture, the toxins have to be coming from another source, right? In this case, it's infected fish. So how then are those fish becoming toxic? The answer points to one unlikely source–our laundry. These toxins, once in your house, tend to travel around in dust. ^[3] Dust gets on clothes, clothes are washed, and the water from the laundry machine becomes runoff, eventually filtering into our ecosystem. A recent study actually looked at laundry waste water samples and found 18 different flame-retardants.

3. In Our Furniture, In Our Home

A Duke University study looked at the urine samples of 22 women and 26 children and found evidence of exposure to the flame retardant TDCPP in all of them; another found that 85% of couch cushions contain some form of flame retardant. ^[4] ^[5] As the most common application is in the foam of mattresses, sofas, pillows, and carpet padding, it's not really a question of if you will be exposed, but when. Currently, only California requires products containing TDCPP and other flame-retardants to have warning labels. Here's hoping other states follow suit.

4. Contribute to Obesity

Introduced in 2003, Firemaster 550 (FM550) was originally meant to serve as an alternative for the toxic pentabromodiphenyl ether. There's recent evidence, however, that exposure to this supposedly safer flame retardant not only contributes to fat production, but also speeds up bone loss. ^[6] Remember how I mentioned that flame-retardants often travel in dust? Well, these dust-borne toxins can be inhaled at an alarming rate. In addition to hormone disruption and cancer risk, FM550 also brings the threat of obesity and osteoporosis.

5. Leukemia Risk

All flame-retardants can be toxic to your health, but I want to focus on one more group. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are no longer made or used in the US due to an increased risk of liver, thyroid, and neuro-developmental issues; however, they can still be found in imported products or older US-manufactured products. As with all flame-retardants, PBDE persists in the environment as well. Clearly, PBDE is a lingering threat, and rightly so. In addition to all the health concerns connected to these chemicals, a recent study even suggests a link to leukemia. ^[7]

One Final Thought

With all the terrible news surrounding flame retardants, is there any hope? Senator Charles Schumer offers a glimmer with his proposed ban on 10 flame retardants in children's products. What do you think about these chemicals? Should they be banned outright, or are people like Senator Schumer moving us in the right direction? Be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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

References:

Natural Resources Defense Council. Toxic Chemicals in our Couches. NRDC Fact Sheet.
Silent Spring Institute. A Previously Unrecognized Flame Retardant Found in Americans for the First Time. Silent Spring Institute
Schreder, E. Flame Retardant Transfers from U.S. Households (Dust and Laundry Wastewater) to the Aquatic Environment.. Environmental Science & Technology 48 (19), 11575-11583.
Stapleton, H. et al. Metabolites of Organophosphate Flame Retardants and 2-Ethylhexyl Tetrabromobenzoate in Urine from Paired Mothers and Toddlers.. Environmental Science & Technology 48 (17), 10432-10438.
Stapleton, H. et al. Novel and High Volume Use Flame Retardants in US Couches Reflective of the 2005 PentaBDE Phase Out.. Environmental Science & Technology 46 (24), 13432-13439.
Wendee, N. More Fat, Less Bone? Environmental Health Perspectives. 122 (11).
Tillett, T. Zeroing In on a Risk Factor? PBDE Exposure and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Environmental Health Perspectives. 122 (10).

The post The 5 Worst Things about Flame Retardants appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Don't Poison Santa! (6 recipes for your sweet tooth!)

I've got a busy day ahead of me but before I go off to do some last minute holiday shopping and baking I wanted to make sure you had these 6 deeeeeelicious recipe treats.

1. Homemade Cinnabons! (new recipe) - I hope you'll make this homemade real food version and never look at those terribly processed ones at the mall and airports again!

2. Classic Real Ginger Cookies (new recipe) – These are soft, sweet and so addictive!

3. Healthy Holiday Granola – Perfect to serve Christmas morning or to give as gifts.

4. Healthy Sugar Cookies – The safer non-toxic treat to leave out for Santa.

5. Gingerbread Cupcakes With Coconut Icing - The taste of gingerbread men wrapped up in a tiny cupcake

6. Chocolate Goji Berry Sea Salt Drops – The most delicious chocolate treat with the perfect combination of salty and sweet!

All of these treats are organic, non-GMO and use wholesome ingredients which I think is the healthiest way to enjoy treats this season!

Wishing you and your family a beautiful race to the holidays and safe travels.

Xo,

Vani

***Don't forget to pre-order your copy of THE FOOD BABE WAY, it's the gift to yourself the food industry doesn't want you to give!***

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5 Scary Truths about Mercury

Posted: 22 Dec 2014 08:00 AM PST

Governments around the world recognize mercury as a highly-toxic pollutant and neurodegenerative agent. Despite this knowledge, mercury continues to proliferate our environment. If that's not bad enough, many of our doctors and elected representatives continue to support the use of mercury. If you think you can avoid mercury simply by not eating fish, think again. The problem with mercury is very real, and this issue may be closer to home than you realize. The following 6 truths about mercury aren't here to scare you, but are here to help you arm yourself with the knowledge that you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Mercury: A Leading Contributor to Dementia?

The EPA and CDC recognize mercury as a known neurotoxin. Studies show mercury exposure lowers mental abilities such as short- and long-term memory, spatial reasoning, and attention. ^[1] Research continues into the different ways it destroys the brain, but one thing is clear: mercury interferes with proper mental functioning.

One study cited its destructive effect on the liver in connection with dementia. ^[2] Although the liver suffered the initial damage, the result of it was a buildup of plaque on the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease. ^[3] ^[4] As research continues to build the link between mercury exposure and dementia, the need to cut exposure and remove mercury from the body may be even more urgent.

2. Mercury is More Prevalent than Previously Thought

Mercury can be found practically everywhere: batteries, fluorescent and CFL light bulbs, and LCDs contain mercury. And even if you cleanse your living space of mercury-containing products, recent research has discovered two-and-a-half times more mercury than previously thought. Scientists originally thought we had released 740,000 metric tons into the environment since 1850. Research published in Science Magazine reports that today's number is at least 1.26 metric tons. ^[5] Our environment is completely awash in this dangerous compound.

Once released into the environment, mercury doesn't leave. Mining has released tons of mercury into the food chain. Latex paint contained mercury compounds until 1991, and the manufacture of vinyl and plastics require vinyl chloride, a compound that releases mercury into the environment. Easy routes for human exposure to mercury include illegal dumping, consumption of fish, dental amalgams for fillings, and broken CFL light bulbs. ^[6]

3. Mercury Continues to Pollute Waterways

Local waterways continue to see high levels of mercury. This is often a result of illegal dumping of mercury waste. Residents in Duluth, Minnesota, recently accused local officials of protecting industry over the health of children. State health officials reported 1 in 100 infants had mercury levels high enough to cause brain damage. ^[7] A test of residents in Michigan found those who consumed locally-caught fish had higher than average levels of mercury. ^[8]

4. Dental Procedures Are Common Sources of Mercury

According to the EPA, up to 120,000 dental offices throughout the United States use mercury in amalgam fillings. ^[9] The EPA reports nearly all of these offices release waste water to sewage treatment plants where the contaminated water mixes with the public water supply. ^[10] About 40-50% of the dentists in the US use amalgam separators to meet state and local requirements to reduce mercury contamination of the local water supplies. That leaves 50% or more dentists still releasing mercury into the water supply.

5. Supplements Made in China are High in Mercury

In 1999, China accounted for nearly 28% of the world's mercury pollution. ^[11] That was even before the Chinese economic boom of the last decade! China currently produces about 75% of the world's mercury, ^[12] and the Chinese workers bear the brunt of it. Many who work in the mercury industry suffer the debilitating effects of mercury poisoning – tremors in the hands, mental confusion, and agitation.

But the land and the people also suffer. In an area called Wanshan, mercury pollution has led to levels of 278.5 mg of mercury per kilogram of soil. The standard, acceptable level is 1.5 mg per kilogram. ^[13] The Chinese government claims to have taken steps to address the excessive pollution; however, with mercury pollution rampant throughout China, you may want to pause and consider possible safety concerns for any food or supplement products you have or might buy.

One Final Thought

The human body is poorly designed to handle mercury, but it can in small amounts. The body's own super-antioxidant and toxin remover – glutathione – will remove mercury at small doses. The problem is removing mercury drains glutathione levels. To counter this, eat foods and take supplements that support liver health. Carrots, beets, tomatoes, spinach, walnuts, and grapefruit help maintain glutathione levels. I also recommend a regular liver cleansing detox to reduce stress and promote healing for the liver.

What are your thoughts on mercury? Was there anything here that was surprising to you? Let us know in the comments!

References:

Katamanova EV, Shevchenko OI, Lakhman OL, Denisova IA. Cognitive disorders in patients with chronic mercury intoxication. Med Tr Prom Ekol. 2014;(4):7-12.
Cave M1, Appana S, Patel M, Falkner KC, McClain CJ, Brock G. Polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, and mercury are associated with liver disease in American adults. Environ Health Perspect. 2010 Dec;118(12):1735-42. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1002720.
Butterworth RF1. Metal toxicity, liver disease and neurodegeneration. Neurotox Res. 2010 Jul;18(1):100-5. doi: 10.1007/s12640-010-9185-z.
Elizabeth Grossman. Time after Time: Environmental Influences on the Aging Brain. Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ehp.122-A238.
Erik Stokstad. More than twice as much mercury in environment as thought. Science Mag.
EPA. Cleaning Up a Broken CFL. Environmental Protection Agency Fact Sheet.
Tony Kennedy. State, tribe and environmental groups fight over mercury in St. Louis River. Star Tribune.
Danielle Woodward. Michigan, New York, Minnesota test fisheater's blood for contaminants. Great Lakes Echo.
Janice Neumann. Fishery mislabeling could mean more mercury than buyers bargain for. Reuters.
CVBT. Open wide, Doc: EPA wants that excess mercury. Central Valley Business Times.
Hepeng Jia. China blamed for mercury on iconic Mount Fuji. The Royal Society of Chemistry.
PR Web. China Leads Global Mercury Market in terms of Production, States Merchant Research & Consulting in its Topical Report. Press Release.
Chu Han. The human cost of living in the ‘mercury capital’ of China. China Dialogue.

The post 5 Scary Truths about Mercury appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog.

Monday, December 22, 2014

6 Shocking Facts about Pesticides

Posted: 21 Dec 2014 07:00 AM PST

Pesticides are an increasing concern among populations all across the world. Even organic food, which is grown without the use of chemical additions, are suffering from the effects of pesticide overexposure. Not only are they harming our food, our bodies, and our environment, many pesticides may be non essential when it comes to keeping crops safe from insects. Here are some of the shocking facts about pesticides that everyone should know.

1. Children Harmed by Pesticide Exposure, Yet EPA Says There isn't an Issue

Organophosphates are a class of chemical often used as pesticides which work as endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins. Chlorpyrifos (Dow Chemical) is in use on major food crops across the US and is the second most common pesticide residue found on food, despite being a serious health hazard and banned in household cleaning products since the early 2000’s. Over 5 million pounds are sprayed each year. Three recent university studies, spanning up to 14 years in duration, have proven Chlorpyrifos as negatively impacting human health, including organ damage, mental disorders, learning disabilities, increased autism rates, and an average of 7 IQ point decline in children exposed. EPA continues to turn a blind eye. ^[1]

2. Even Organic Farmers Aren't Protected from Pesticide Exposure

As more volatile, poisonous pesticides, like the reemergence of 2, 4D (also known as Agent Orange) come to use in conventional and GMO crop fields nationwide, organic and family farmers are fighting an uphill battle to shield their unadulterated produce from the massive drift that often occurs from neighboring farms. ^[2] Fortunately for the organic movement, recent preventative programs are being launched, such as the educational/organic registration website by Purdue University. called DriftWitch (twelve states participate).

3. Pesticides Can Continue Harming Health Throughout the Generations

Researchers at Washington State University conducted a study looking at exposure effects of a bygone era controversial pesticide that was banned in the US a decade ago called Methoxychlor. Known to be a persistent organic toxin, Methoxychlor hangs around and saturates living tissues. This spurred interest by the university to investigate matters further.

They shockingly found that a person alive today could be suffering from things such as kidney disease, ovarian and reproductive disorders, and obesity simply because their great grandparents were exposed to it. ^[3] An exposure "drift" of disease up to four generations makes it quite apparent that chemical toxins are practically abundant in most people today.

4. Tea is a Prime Source for Pesticides

India is the world’s second largest producer of tea. Unilever is the largest tea maker in India with ~30% market share nationally. Extensive lab test screening of 49 branded teas for 350 potential pesticides discovered a shocking 60% of the teas contained one pesticide residue or more, with some containing up to twenty different pesticides, in stark violation of EU regulations. It’s easy to understand how economic interests are threatened when their wares are exposed to be toxin laden.

5. Parkinson's Disease Increases with Prolonged Pesticide Exposure

University of Colorado’s recent multiyear ecological population study looking at statewide pesticide exposure in connection with occurrence rates of Parkinson’s disease recently revealed a significant correlation. ^[4] Researchers tracked atrazine–a very common pesticide across the US–via groundwater records. Additionally, a population group of 330,000 people were tracked alongside the atrazine exposure rates. Depending on groundwater levels of atrazine, Parkinson’s rates surged from 4 to 40%!

6. Monarch Butterflies are Becoming Endangered Thanks to Pesticides

Unbeknownst to most Americans, monarch butterfly populations have declined an alarming 90% in just the previous 20 years. Their winter habitat in Mexico has also declined from 45 acres in 1996 to just 1.7 acres in 2013 as well as Iowa due to monocrop farming of corn. Monarchs feed on milkweed plants only, which course through corn fields, though have been wiped out by the toxic pesticide glyphosate (RoundUp) used on corn crops. As a major pollinator of plants and food crops (similar to bees), if the monarch dies out so goes the rest of the pollinator insects and with it food crop sustainability.

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

References:

Eduardo Guevara. Pesticide pollution threatens future of our children. The Desert Sun.
Californians for Pesticide Reform. Background: What is pesticide drift? CPR. Fact Sheet.
Mohan Manikkam, M. Muksitul Haque, Carlos Guerrero-Bosagna, Eric E. Nilsson, Michael K. Skinner. Pesticide Methoxychlor Promotes the Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance of Adult-Onset Disease through the Female Germline. PLOS One. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102091.
Yan Sun, Yan-Shu Li, Jun-Wei Yang, et al. Exposure to Atrazine during Gestation and Lactation Periods: Toxicity Effects on Dopaminergic in Offspring by Downregulation of Nurr1 and VMAT2. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2014, 15(2), 2811-2825; doi: 10.3390/ijms15022811.

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