Cancer Issues
Cancer - It's In the Air!
By
Oct 5, 2008 - 1:10:10 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - "It's in the Air", in our water, in our food, and almost everywhere, environmental factors that increase our risk for cancer, that is.The news isn't all bad, there are ways that we can reduce our risk, and this week we'll take a look at some of these ways. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so let's continue our discussion about preventing disease including cancer.

Research has pointed to a high environmental contribution for the majority of cancers, respiratory disease (including asthma) and a host of endocrine (hormonal) disorders including some that may be connected to breast cancer. In one 1995 study connecting environmental risks with cancer for instance, researchers found that children whose yards were treated with synthetic pesticides or children who lived in homes that contained synthetic pest strips, were more likely to develop cancer than those children whose homes were treated with non-toxic natural organic pesticide methods.

Environmental risks include indoor pollution, outdoor pollution, which are in the air, and they also include chemicals some of us may be exposed to in the workplace, chemicals we use in our home, along with the chemicals which may be in our food, or in plastics. Some of these chemicals are more toxic than others because of their toxicity strength, repetitive use that increases our exposure, and persistence level (this refers to how long they remain biologically active in our environment). This does not include risk factors from our exposure to multiple sources over a period of time (multi-chemicals which are absorbed through our skin, those which we eat and breath from different sources).

Let's take indoor pollution for instance. I decided to write "It's In the Air" to create more awareness because when we inhale these chemicals, they not only reach every cell in our body, they do so by the quickest means available (except by injection) via our lungs, that is (please see important link below for more info). And we inhale these chemicals within enclosed spaces. Some of these chemicals we may be inhaling can cause simple respiratory symptoms such as watery eyes, and sneezing, but they can also heighten asthma attacks over time. Some are also known carcinogens that over time may be contributing factors increasing our risk for common diseases.

Some caused by air pollutants are of course, cancer (we are talking toxins), liver and kidney disease, heart and lung disease and even nerve disorders. Air pollutants are harmful to our lungs, airway passages and blood vessels, but a recent study has found a direct relationship for instance between cigarette smoke and lowered levels of blood serum antioxidants in smokers and NON-smokers alike. Cigarette smoke contains over 60 different chemicals and many of these very same chemicals are found in other common household indoor pollutants.

Okay, what are some of the most common indoor pollutants?
Cigarette Smoke. What are some of these chemicals and their effect? Let's start with ammonia, arsenic, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene and of course nicotine (sound like we're standing behind a bus?). These are just a handful of the more well known toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke in the form of gas along with radioactive compounds (read on because these chemicals are found in the pollutants below). Threat? Cancer for smokers and non smokers alike to start. Emphysema a deadly disease is another example .

Air Fresheners, mothball crystals, oven cleaner, to name a few. Two common household cleaners that emit fumes and are toxic are bleach and ammonia. Threat: Cancer.

Aerosol sprays can cause irregular breathing and irritate airway passages in some of us.

Dry Cleaning Fluid Fumes left on clothing. Threat: possible nervous disorders, liver and kidney damage.

Faulty Woodstoves, Furnaces, Invented Gas Stoves and Kerosene Heaters. Threat: Headaches, irregular heartbeat, lung cancer.
New Carpets, Furniture stuffing, Paneling, Vinyl Ceiling and Floor Tiles. These contain chemicals from formaldehyde in new synthetic carpets to other chemicals emitted from glues. They can cause the most common immediate side effects, to the more serious diseases in those of us who are occupationally exposed. New synthetic carpets release vapors from more than 100 volatile organic compounds.

Pesticides and Bug Sprays. Let's try to use natural sprays and methods around children and pets, and ventilate (My Pesticide tip will be posted under my health page Friday 10/21).
Radon, a toxic pollutant that is a major cause for lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon is odorless and is emitted into homes from soil and rock in and under the foundation. See below to obtain more info.

PBDEs, I myself have never heard of this one, but these hormone disruptors, a possible risk for increasing breast cancer risk are found in household dust released from the casings, of personal computers,TV sets, upholstery, and carpets. Before we go crazy dusting after reading this, let's remember that all cancers are have multi-faceted contributions. I included a link below to read more about these and other environmental estrogens that may increase our risk particularly for breast cancer.

What can we do? Let's Stop Smoking. Save a life, yours and someone around you. The single highest mortality from all diseases globally according to the World Health Organization is due to cigarette smoking. This includes deaths from cancer, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases.

Become Aware. Let's become more aware of our exposure to synthetic chemicals and reduce using them whenever possible (example: let's use oven cleaner only 1-2x per year and clean oven immediately after each use with a natural scouring cleaner such as baking soda). Let's READ LABELS so we use all products safely. Let's only use natural products around our infants, and young children (and our small furry friends too) who are more susceptible than us adults. Never Mix. Never mix any substances without reading labels (never mix bleach and ammonia with any other cleaners because very toxic chemicals are formed).
Reduce Exposure. Let's use these chemicals in the smallest amounts possible and let's ventilate the area. When painting or using other such chemicals for any extended period of time, we might consider using a face mask to reduce our inhalation. We can remove our dry -cleaning plastic bags and ventilate our clothing before hanging them in our closet or wearing them. We can even remove our shoes before entering our homes (This reduces dust, pesticides, and other chemicals that can become imbedded in our carpets, etc.)

Go Natural. Let's opt for organic methods when possible ( We can try to use more products that guarantee use of organic material ; let's use vinegar and water for window cleaning in the baby's room for example). Let's find a certified organic gardener or use organic materials in our garden and on our lawns.

Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate. Getting a new carpet for the baby's room? Putting down a new floor? Let's open windows, and keep them open while we temporarily sleep in another room for a few days at minimum.

Consider Houseplants. Yes, they're not only beautiful, but they remove many air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and some of the other chemicals listed above. Some plant examples are the Spider, Aloe Vera, Ficus, Golden Pothos, and English Ivy. Plants need to be potted with a mixture of soil and granular charcoal that absorbs these toxins.

Lastly, we can test our heating systems, woodstoves, fireplaces, etc. at the beginning of each winter. If our home has been closed up for any length of time we can test for formaldehyde. We need to install carbon monoxide detectors. Experts also advise not storing gasoline, solvents, or any chemicals inside our home or in attached garages.

So while "It's In the Air", and everywhere, and we can't control everything, we can become more aware and control a few things. I changed to natural cleaners such as baking soda and vinegar because my little doggie Charlie has asthma, but now I feel healthier too. And after all, it might be as simple as opening our windows, changing gardeners and lawn care, reading labels but it is for our health!

It is recommended to test our houses which were built before 1980 for asbestos fiber levels, and other toxins including lead. We can call the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Hotline at 202-554-1404 for a list of certified testing labs. For additional info, click on http://epa.gov/ for this and other topics such as Radon, a toxic pollutant that is a major cause for lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon is odorless and is emitted into homes from soil and rock in and under the foundation.

Here's to Our Health!

June M. Lay M.S.
www.Junefit.com
September may be over, but we can still support Ovarian Cancer Awareness. Please visit http://www.lorealcolorofhope.com
For more information on the environment and Breast Cancer, including other chemicals we might be exposed to, go to http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/default.cfm

Additonal Source used:Environmental Science G. Tyler Miller Jr.seventh edition.

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