Molds, Pesticides and Environmental Toxins

The Different Classes of Toxins in the Environment

Over the past one hundred years, around 75,000 new chemicals have been introduced to the environment. In this modern world, humans are exposed to toxins through the food they eat, the products they put on their body, and the air they breathe. Environmental toxins are, quite literally, everywhere. In such a chemically toxic and polluted environment, humans are at risk of developing health problems over time that are the collective result of a hodgepodge of environmental toxins. Most toxicants can be divided up into groups:

Carcinogens

Carcinogens are the broad category that contains any toxicants that cause cancer. Most toxicants are carcinogenic in nature. Though the level and time period of exposure greatly determines the likelihood of cancer development, exposure to any carcinogens in any amount can negatively impact your health.

Mutagens

These chemicals cause mutations in DNA, often leading to cancer or other disorders. X-Rays are considered mutagens. In addition, most mutagens are also carcinogens, as DNA mutation will often lead to cancer growth.

Teratogens

Coming from the Greek word teras, which translates to monster, are exogenous substances that are harmful to unborn babies and can cause birth defects or disrupt the normal development of the fetus. Ionizing radiation is an example of a substance that is both a mutagen and a teratogen. More often than not, there are substances that can be mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic.

Allergens

Allergens cause your immune system to overreact. The immune system kicks into high gear as it attempts to rid the body of the allergen,  creating symptoms that are similar to those that occur when you are sick with a cold or flu. Pollen, dust mites, mold, venom, and food are all common allergens. Though it is the immune system that detects the allergen as an invader, it is the immune response that generates the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Mold, however, can be both allergenic and toxigenic, depending on the type of mold encountered and the subsequent level and extent of exposure.

VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are chemicals that contain carbon. Volatile organic compounds, however, are organic compounds that easily change from a liquid state to a vapor or gas state. VOCs  have a high vaporizing pressure and permeate the air at room temperature very easily, making them extremely easy to breathe in. Unfortunately, VOCs are abundant in the air supply. As a matter of fact, most people have a wide variety of VOCs in their home. They come in craft supplies, cleaning supplies, and painting supplies. Long-term exposure to these VOCs can cause damage to the organs and nervous system and so much more.  Acetone, formaldehyde, and turpentine are all household VOCs that cause allergic and immune reactions such as respiratory irritation.

Neurotoxins

Neurotoxins are substances that disrupt the electrical activities of the nerves. This attack on the nerves prevents them from functioning properly, and ultimately leads to the destruction of nerve cells. Heavy metals including lead and mercury, chemical weapons, and all pesticides are considered neurotoxins.

More common neurotoxins include the popular sugar substitutes aspartame and sucralose. Both of these regularly deemed ‘healthy’ alternatives are toxic. Studies have linked aspartame (a chemical made from the fecal matter of genetically modified bacteria) with diabetes, seizures, kidney failure, blindness, neurological disorders, mental illness, and even brain tumors. Heavy exposure to any of these neurotoxins can lead to slurred speech, loss of muscle control, and sometimes death.

Endocrine Disrupters

The endocrine system is responsible for controlling hormones, regulating growth, development, brain function, and appetite. Many endocrine disrupters come from prescription drugs or plasticizers. In the water supply, there are likely to be trace amounts of prescription pill that contain endocrine disruptors. Though the water is treated, there is no telling how significant the exposure to these disruptors is. Studies have shown that small amounts of estrogen from washed down birth control pills have had negative effects on male fish.

The Effects of Environmental Toxins on Health

Unless you are working or living in a place where hazardous and toxic chemicals are being sprayed or used in large amounts, you may not immediately jump to the conclusion that environmental toxins could be causing your ailments. However, with regular exposure to household toxins, exposure to pesticide-ridden produce, polluted indoor and outdoor air and possible exposure to the fungal spores of mold, you are at risk for developing symptoms that are both chronic and compounding.

As a matter of fact, it’s extremely unnerving how many of these environmental toxins surround us on a daily basis. Most of these toxins compose everyday household items, many of which you probably have no idea are in the least bit hazardous to your health:

• Lead, for example, is present in processed chocolate, gasoline, toys, pottery, pipes, and most cosmetics.
• Fluoride a chemical added to tap water, often contains the contaminant arsenic, and can be found in dental products, antibiotics, medicines, tea, and processed food.
• PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) are flame retardant chemicals commonly found in furniture, mattresses, clothing, television, and computers.
• Even DDT, a pesticide that is now banned in agriculture, still remains in the food chain.

The truth is staggering. Environmental toxins, despite their proven harm to the human body, remain as central components to many of the commercial and processed items this modern world depends on.

Environmental toxins have been linked to an increased likelihood of autism and other brain disorders. In 2005, a study by the EWG found an average of 287 toxins in the blood of newborns, of which 180 are known to be cancer-causing, 217 are neurotoxic, and 208 have caused birth defects or developmental problems.

The Chronic Effects of Mold Exposure

Mold presents itself in damp, dark places, and sometimes you won’t see these fungal spores flying around at all. But regardless of whether or not your eyes detect them, your lungs will continue to breathe them in. Mold can hide behind drywall, in fabric, food, carpet, attics, and any other place susceptible to condensation. Mold often causes immunity problems and will present symptoms similar to a cold or flu.

The insidious black mold can cause breathing difficulties and bleeding in the lungs. Mold toxicity has also been linked to digestive problems, neurological symptoms such as tremors and headaches, rashes, infertility, immunosuppression, and kidney toxicity. The longer you are exposed to these toxic mold spores, the more likely you are to develop severe health problems.

The Effects of Pesticides

Exposure to pesticides over an extended period of time has been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, neurological disorders, and cancer. Pesticides are present in harmful amounts in most non-organic produce and have permeated the water supply. Before DDT (a once widely used and extremely dangerous pesticide) was finally banned for agricultural use in 1972, citizens were led to believe the pesticide was completely safe for human exposure. In fact, old ads depicted smiling, waving families being sprayed directly with DDT to advocate its safety.

Though DDT is now a thing of the past, equally dangerous chemicals are still being used in pesticides today. With regular, albeit accidental exposure to pesticides, people can experience symptoms ranging from nutritional deficiencies to systemic toxicity. Limiting exposure to pesticides by eating organic produce and filtered water may help lower your risk of pesticide toxicity.

Misdiagnosis of Problems Relating to Mold, Pesticides, and Other Environmental Toxins

Most mainstream medical practitioners will not even consider mold, pesticides, or other environmental toxins to be the cause of your chronic health problems. Toxicity is something that cannot be effectively treated unless the root of the problem is found. Because mold and pesticide exposure can produce symptoms similar to more common health issues, the illness is often misdiagnosed, and the underlying issue will never cease to exist. For if a doctor does not suspect that mold is the cause of your chronic cough and severe headache, the mold will continue to flourish discreetly while you continue to experience symptoms that may or may not worsen over time.

Suspect Toxic Environment Exposure?

If you believe you are ill as a result of exposure to a known and identifiable toxin, you must either remove the harmful substance from your environment or remove yourself from the environment altogether. Depending on the severity of exposure, both might be necessary. If the problem has persisted for quite sometime but the symptoms were mild up until recently, you might have accumulated a toxic amount of such substances and will have to seek the help of experts to rid your body of these toxins so that it may heal.

Recover from Toxins Overload at LifeWorks Wellness Center

LifeWorks Wellness Center is a Natural health clinic with extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients who are experiencing the chronic and detrimental symptoms of environmental toxins. With numerous treatment regimens, including detoxifying nutritional treatments, ozone therapy, sauna therapies, IV therapies and more, LifeWorks Wellness Center can create a personalized treatment that will help you remove the toxins from your body so that your body can effectively heal itself of acute or chronic illnesses.

With astounding testimonials and proven results from patients from all over the world, LifeWorks Wellness Center is committed to providing patients with treatment that work on a holistic level to find and isolate the root of the problem. Treating the symptoms only provides temporary relief. At LifeWorks Wellness Center, we strive to bring the body back to health holistically by dealing with the underlying causes of illness and disease.

To become a patient or for more information about our process of diagnosis and treatment, contact our New Patient Coordinator at (727) 466-6789 or submit an online web inquiry with your request.