Air Resources Brief

Some medical doctors estimate that nearly 80% of all diseases are preventable.

• Pollutants commonly found in the air, food and water can make your immune system weaker and less capable of defending you against diseases.

• Most of the 75,000 man-made chemicals have never been properly tested for safety. Following exposure to multiple chemicals, it may be impossible to determine which ones ruined the health of an individual.

• In the USA, tissues and organs of an average person contain more than 100 toxic pollutants that can damage the mind and body. Some of the most damaging pollutants come from the burning of oil, coal and other fuels.

• Pollution may be involved in the development of about 80% of all diseases.

• Inflammation, a secret killer, is often triggered by the airborne irritants, allergens and toxins that can be filtered out of the air  breathe.

• Many airborne pollutants have a pleasant odor, or no odor, so the human sense of smell provides no warning of the dangers. Example: Some "air fresheners" are made with toxic formaldehyde or 1,1,1-trichloroethane to reduce your sense of smell.

• Toxic particles that are small enough to get deep into your lungs are too small to see without a microscope.

• Modern ventilation systems with high efficiency air filters can provide good indoor air quality and make it safe to seal any openings have been allowing entry of dust, drafts and insects.

• Avoid preventable diseases by minimizing your exposure to dangerous pollutants and microbes.
• Find reliable medical advice on disease prevention and treatment.
• Protect your immune system so it can defend you against bacteria, viruses, parasites and cancer.
• Improve indoor air quality while minimizing energy requirements.
• Improve outdoor air quality by reducing fuel consumption.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of patients.

What are you breathing today? Smoke Pollen Bacteria Viruses Mold (fungus) Toxic particulates Dust particles Toxic chemicals Ozone Healthy young adult lungs contain millions of microscopic air sacs with a total surface area nearly equal to that of a tennis court. Polluted air reduces lung capacity. People typically do not notice reduced lung capacity until about half of the capacity has been permanently lost. Severe lung disease increases the work load of the heart in three ways: Lung disease may reduce the amount of oxygen that can get from the lung’s air sacs to the blood. The heart then pumps faster and harder to get the available oxygen to the body. High pressure in the blood vessels going from the heart to the lungs makes it harder for the heart to pump. Lung disease can sometimes cause the body to produce too many red blood cells. This makes the blood thicker and harder to pump. Congestive heart failure may result from chronic lung disease. If you have a chronic lung disease, treatment for it is very important. As your breathing improves, it becomes easier for the heart and blood to deliver sufficient oxygen to body.

Air Pollution

The American Lung Association estimates that more than 60,000 Americans die prematurely each year due to inhalation of microscopic particles emitted into the atmosphere by factories, power plants, furnaces, fireplaces, vehicles, etc.

The Lung Association also says that air in ordinary homes is typically 2 to 20 times more polluted than outdoors. You can make indoor air cleaner than outdoor air if you:

• Provide consistently adequate ventilation
• Reduce the amount of pollutants released indoors
• Filter both incoming and recirculating air to remove dust mites, mold, and pollen

Thirty years ago, cancer afflicted 1 in 4 Americans. Today, the American Cancer Society says the chances of getting cancer are now 1 in 2 for men and 1 in 3 for women. One of the primary reasons for this rapid increase is the increased pollution of air, soil, water and food.

Simple health and energy related improvements to typical homes and other buildings have often produced the following results:

• Increased comfort
• Reduced medical expenses
• Reduced indoor air pollution
• Reduced illness among occupants
• Reduced heating and air conditioning expenses
• Reduced or eliminated moisture damage to the building shell
• Reduced amount of air pollution emitted by burning fuels

   

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  COALITION RELEASES REPORT ON TOXINS IN PEOPLE, CALLS FOR REFORM

  Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 23, 2006
  
  
  NOTE: The latest study of industrial poisons in humans has revealed that people in Washington State all carry a "body burden" of toxicants, with effects that are unknown but surely not good. Studies confirm that in the U.S., babies are all born carrying a body burden of toxicants, which they pick up in the womb. What's wrong with this picture?]
  
  By Rachel La Corte, Associated Press Writer
  
  OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A coalition of environmental and advocacy groups tested 10 Washington residents from around the state and found each of them had dozens of potentially harmful chemicals in their bodies, ranging from pesticides to flame retardants.
  
  Coalition officials who released the report in Seattle on Tuesday acknowledged it wasn't a scientific representation of the state, but said they wanted to put a face on the issue.
  
  The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition collected hair, urine and blood samples last fall from the participants, who were specifically chosen for the tests. Most of the participants are involved with organizations that are members of or have worked with the coalition.
  
  The coalition said it chose the people to represent both genders, different races, professions and people who live in different parts of the state, as well as people who were local leaders.
  
  Laboratories in Victoria, British Columbia, Seattle, and Los Angeles tested the samples for 86 chemicals. Each participant, including state Sens. Bill Finkbeiner and Lisa Brown, both from opposite sides of the state, tested positive for at least 26 of the various chemicals, and as many as 39.
  
  An extensive study on exposure to environmental chemicals by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year stressed that the presence of an environmental chemical in blood or urine "does not mean that the chemical causes disease." But state coalition members said they wanted people to be aware of potential risks.
  
  "It's very likely each of us is walking around with a cocktail of chemicals in our bodies," said Erika Schreder, staff scientist for the Washington Toxics Coalition and the lead scientist on the report. "The chemicals that we found in our test participants are chemicals that are linked to very serious health problems. That's a concern."
  
  But Dr. Elaine Faustman, a toxicologist and professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Washington, said it's important to keep in mind the levels of chemicals in each person, not just that they are detected.
  
  She noted that there are persistent chemicals in almost everyone.
  
  "For us, the dose makes the poison," she said.
  
  However, Faustman said that while the sample size was very small, the report was a good tool to see specific data for the Pacific Northwest.
  
  Among the chemicals found were phthalates, a manmade ingredient of many plastics, cosmetics and other consumer products.
  
  Other chemicals included fire-retardant PBDEs, and PFCs, which are found in the plastic coating Teflon.
  
  Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland, had 30 chemicals detected and a mercury level above the EPA "safe" level. Of the group tested, he had the highest levels of the Teflon chemicals and the pesticide carbaryl.
  
  "I never gave too much thought or made too many lifestyle choices based on these issues prior to having this profile. It sure made me think a whole lot more," said Finkbeiner, who added that he has since stopped using Teflon pans, plans to buy more organic foods, and will pull weeds in his yard instead of spraying them with pesticides.
  
  Schreder said the report should serve as a wake-up call to the state's lawmakers and Gov. Chris Gregoire.
  
  "What we're really lacking is a comprehensive approach to ensure these harmful toxins are not in our products," she said.
  
  A spokeswoman for the American Chemistry Council, which represents about 130 major chemical companies, said the small sample of the report doesn't warrant "the far-reaching conclusions or recommendations that are made."
  
  Sarah Brozena said scientists have long known that humans can absorb chemicals from the environment.
  
  "We are finding them now because there are much better analytical techniques that can measure them at these very trace (part per billion or part per trillion) levels," she said in an e-mailed statement. "Further, detection of chemicals in our bodies -- by itself -- is not an indication of risk to health and shouldn't be cause for alarm."
  
  Earlier this year, the state Department of Health and the Department of Ecology asked the Legislature to ban all trade in PBDEs, arguing that the fireproofing chemicals are being found in Columbia River fish, seal blubber, grizzly bears and women's breast milk.
  
  A bill died in the Legislature this year, though supporters said they will try again next year.
  
  Schreder said that, in addition to the passage of the PBDE ban, the coalition wants the state to require companies that do business with Washington state to provide complete information on what types of chemicals are used. The coalition also wants to see an immediate plan to phase out certain products and manufacturing chemicals, and to help companies make the switch with either incentives or technical assistance.
  
  Gregoire's office did not return a phone call Tuesday seeking comment on the report.
  
  Brown, D-Spokane, said the report got her attention, and she's certain it will open a dialogue in the next legislative session.
  
  "We pretty much take for granted that Washington state is a beautiful place to live and work," said Brown, who tested positive for 37 chemicals, including high levels of mercury. "We want it to be a truly healthy place to live."
  
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  On the Net:
  
  Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition: http://pollutioninpeople.org
  
  Washington Toxics Coalition: http://www.watoxics.org
  
  CDC National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals: http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/
  
  Legislature: http://www.leg.wa.gov