Transcript Home Environments for Environmentally Sensitive or Allergy

An Introduction to
Healthy Home Environments for
the Environmentally Sensitive
When yesterday’s “Triumph of Modern
Chemistry” turns out instead to be today’s threat
to the global environment,
It’s legitimate to ask what else we don’t know!
Denis Hayes
We live in a toxic soup!
• 88,000 chemicals in common use
• 2,000 new produced each year- average 4-6 week
testing prior to going into the marketplace.
• Typical carpet sample contains 120 chemicals, many
known neurotoxins
• 53 listed by EPA as PBT’s- persistent, bioaccumulative
and toxic
• 257 listed in 2007 as hazardous materials
• Blood samples done on umbilical cords averaged 287
chemicals found. Passed on from the Mother. Mother’s
breast milk passes on xenobiotics to nursing child- exp.
mercury, dioxin, formaldehyde
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MSC) or the twenty first century
illness
– A condition in which various symptoms reportedly
appears after a person has been exposed to any of a
wide range of chemicals. The exposure may occur as
a major event, such as a chemical spill, or from a long
term contact with low level of chemicals. As a result
of exposure, these individuals develop a sensitivity
and have reactions to chemicals even at levels most
people can tolerate
– WebMD.com
– 10-20% of population in World is environmentally
sensitive
Total Body Burden
or Total Load
• Along with chemical sensitivity, often individuals
demonstrate food sensitivities, electromagnetic
frequencies (EMF), mold, pollen, and animal allergies/
sensitivity. The body is filling up with exposures and
stressors so that one’s daily ability to tolerate exposures
may fluctuate depending on how many exposures
already have been endured on that day.
• The degree of ill effects depends on dose, duration,
manner of exposure, biochemical individuality, genetic
predisposition, diet, and stress levels.
MCS symptoms
• Can affects any bodily system, including respiratory,
digestive, neurological, musculoskeletal,
endocrinological, immunological and others
• Most common symptoms are- tiredness/lethargy,
difficulty concentrating, muscles aches, memory
problems, long term fatigue, change in heart rhythm,
rapid mood change, headache, itchy, sneezes, difficulty
breathing and sore throat- With Children, consider
learning disabilities, lethargy, mood swings or ADHD like
symptoms.
• Common triggers are pesticides, formaldehyde, fresh
paint, new carpets, diesel exhaust, perfumes, cooking
gas, wood composites, glues, cleaning supplies and air
fresheners.
Some physiologically based theories
• Systemic breakdown from long term- multi-generation
exposure.
• Limbic kindling- Olfactory- limbic i.e. nose to emotion
• Xenobiotic (foreign to body) detoxification pathways
damaged or depleted
• Immunological damage- Helper cells fight pathogens or
turn on immune response. To many helper cells cause
autoimmune like condition
• Neurogenic inflammation
• Long term exposure to solvents/ brain change i.e. Mad
Hatter
• Candidiasis/ often seen with mercury poisoning
• Trauma precursor- physical or mental
Toxic Metals
Mercury, Nickel, Arsenic,
Lead, Cadmium,
Aluminum,Barium,
Colbalt, Gold, Silver,
Copper, Chromium, Iron,
Manganese, Tin,
Thallium, Titanium,
Platinum, Palladium
• Amalgam filling
• Vaccinations/ thimerisol,
flu shots
• Pesticides, herbicides,
fungicides
• Contaminated water, air
borne- factory,
incinerators, car exhaust
• Contact lens solution,
nasal sprays- read your
labels
• Replaces minerals in
body necessary for
enzymatic process or
structure.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)-
Follow your nose!
• An abbreviated list• Acetone, Benzene,
Ethylene glycol,
Formaldehyde,
Methylene Chloride,
Perchloroethylene,
Toluene, Xylene, 1,3
Butadiene, Dioxin (75
chlorinated chemicals)
• Building material-carpets,
glues, paints composite
woods, solvents, vinyl floors,
upholstery, caulks, finishes etc.
• Personal care products
• Cooking, dry cleaning,
hobbies, newspapers,
nonelectric space heaters,
photocopiers, smoking, stored
chemicals, propane, natural
gas, markers, Teflon, fire
retardants
Formaldehyde
• A immune system sensitizer which means that chronic
exposure can lead to multiple allergies and sensitivities
to substances that are unrelated to Formaldehyde
(spreading phenomenon)
• Symptoms onset often flu like illness diagnosed as viral
infection which leaves one with general malaise, fatigue
and depression, brain fog, loss of memory, respiratory
problems, neuropathy, sore throats, mood changes, etc
• Widely found in as wood preservative/ particle board,
carpets, sprayed on clothes, new car smell, urea
formaldehyde foam, flame retardants sprayed on
upholstery, auto exhaust, disinfectants, cosmetics,
fumigants, adhesives.
• Used also as an intermediate in synthesis of other
chemicals.
Other possible exposures
• Mold, dust mites, ambient air pollution, soil
contamination, water contamination, animal
dander, decomposition of building materials,
pollens, second hand smoke, PCB’s ( banned in
1976- found globally) pesticides/herbicides,
EMF( Electro Magnetic Frequency)
• Found in Shopping malls, Schools, Homes,
Highways, Factories, Airplanes, Trains, Cars,
Grocery stores, Restaurants i.e. Urban and
Agrarian ecologies
Children have increased susceptibility
• More vulnerable as they are growing and developing,
higher rate of cell production, less developed
metabolisms, higher rate of exposure/ body mass.
• Due to chemical load at birth many children have
compromised digestive and immune systems
• Delayed onset or early onset puberty from
Plastics/endocrine disrupters.17% of kids in U.S.
developmental disabilities
• One of factors in ADHD, Autism, behavior disorders, low
birth rate, cancer increase 1-2% yearly, asthma, heart
problems
• Cell phone radiation 2” into brain
• Autism is now consider epidemic> outside influences
• Immunization- Thimerosol/merthiolate/ mercurypreservative for injectable vaccines
• Toxic schools, toxic homes, increased risk in congested
areas
Over Whelmed
Here comes the real work
BREATHE
Become a detective into your own life!
For example- Is this You?
• Do you become ill from odors in malls, restaurants,
churches, schools, hospitals etc.
• Do you become ill after putting gas in your car or heavy
traffic, or driving on new asphalt.
• Do you can’t read certain book with shiny smell paper or
fresh ink.
• Do you crave certain odors or aromas or detest certain
odors.
• At first, is there is a marked increased sense of smell,
which later on can result in a loss of smell.
• Do you become mentally foggy, nose stuffy or itchy in a
new or remodeled building especially with new carpet
and particle board cabinetry.
How do you feel before and after exposure?
10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours
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Note how you feel, behave and think
Appearance, how do you look
Check writing or drawing changes
Check breathe rate- faster or slower
Check pulse rate
• Use this check list to begin to pinpoint specific
causes of a reaction- Backtrack if necessary
Time to Clean up the Home
How to Start? The process of
elimination- or Onion analogy
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What are you bringing into your home?
Cleaning Supplies
Detergents
New clothes
Children’s toys
Electronic gear ( lubricants, EMF’s)
Pesticides
Kitchenware
Cosmetics
Fragrances
Healthier choices
READ THE LABEL
If you can’t pronounce the chemical, it’s not good for you
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Look for the label - No fragrance/ hyper allergenic for cleaning
solutions, and body products.
Debra Lyons Dadd’s- white vinegar, salt, borax, liquid castile soap.
Wash clothes immediately after purchasing- use natural fabrics.
No aluminum cookware, no heat in plastics, no heat in stainless steel
bottles. Don’t leave water bottles out in heat. If it smells like plastic,
you can absorb it.
Beware of mold and use bleach (face mask and gloves) to get rid of. If
large patch will require more extensive mitigation.
Be aware of new upholstery and flame retardants. Ask what
alternatives are available.
*******Begin to read label on all purchases*******
Wash any new appliance or electronics to remove residual oils left
from manufacturing.
Use natural cosmetics see list on www.safecosmetics.org
Do your homework- Beware of green washing.
Check out one of the natural food stores, and experiment with
products.
Our Daily bread
• Eliminate added chemicals from your diet- food
dyes, preservatives, synthetic foods, trans-fatty
acids.
• Shop the outside wall of the grocery store
• GMO’S- Be wary of genetically modified foods
• Food Sensitivities- Elimination diet to pinpoint
• Use Organic Foods when possible
• Fresh foods, CSA’s (Community Supported
Agriculture), Farmer’s market, Home gardens
• Vitamin C and Omega 3,6,9- vital 2
• www.foodnews.org
A Deeper Level- Harder to fix
• Carpets-Average 120 chemicals in carpet plus adhesives. Carpet
squares/Recycled Plastic? Best to use non synthetic throw rugs.
• Composite Woods- Adhesives and finishes are toxic. Use hardwood
from responsibly harvested forests, recycled furniture, some new
composites are non toxic. Research!
• Insulation- Foam- Adhesives- Solvents- Decking- What is it made of?
Use non toxic alternatives.
• Paints- Use non Voc or low VOC. More intense the color higher VOC’s
• Poly-vinyl- Siding, molding, doors, flooring, windows- replace when you
can
• All of these products take on average 5+ years to off gas
• MSDS- Material Safety Data Sheet- Provides info. on chemical
substances in a product, handling precautions, known health effects
Black mold mycelium/ spores in wood- consider mitigation
Water Filters
WHY NOT TAP?
• Get a sample of your water checked
• Chlorine / Fluoride- water treatment plants
• Hormone, antibiotic and pesticide- lack of
filtration
• Bottled- plastic vs. glass
• Reverse osmosis
• Ultraviolet
• Distilled Water- lack of trace minerals
Air purifiers
• Good for ambient air pollution, not long term
solution for off gasing.
• Def. Off Gasing- How long it takes a product to
release VOC. Heat increases.
• Can a building be toooo tight?
• HEPA filters
• Charcoal Filters
• Ozone Generators
• ECOquest- air filter/ ozone generator
EMF
www.electromagnetic
health.org
EMF sensitivity
Cell phones- Increase in brain tumors
2” penetration into brain. Those handy but damaging
PDA’s. Use ear plug speakers. NO Bluetooth! Cell phone
towers are multiplying rapidly- long term effects unknown
DSL, CPU’s keep at distance from body 5’
Wireless electronics - long term use? Keep away from
areas of rapid cell growth in body.
No electronics in bedroom-Use a battery operated clock
No electric blankets- bed warmers
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The really deep work
Living and Loving, Day by Day
Detoxify- under medical supervision
Develop a Safe Room where you can rejuvenate
Meditation/ Breath work
Stress reduction techniques
Yoga
Get outside daily- bike, hike, walk, play
Find a Creative outlet/ Passion/ Enjoy life
Build a support network, within and expanded out from
the family.
Nutrition counseling
Environmental health consultant
Family counseling to assist with daily challenges
Explain yourself to others in your life. Teachers, work
associates, and partners, let them know the reasons why
you are demanding a healthier ecology. Be contagious!
Remodel or Build from ground up
“Green Building”
Can be Costly… Prioritize!!!
www.buildingbiology.net Bau- Biologie
www.usgbc.org US Green Building
www.ibe.colostate.edu Institute for the Built
Environment
www.rmi.org Rocky Mountain Institute
www.bgbg.org Boulder Green Guild
www.greenheartinstitute.org Green Heart Institute
www.redirectguide.com Redirect Guide
Favorite Books
Prescriptions for a Health House by Baker-Laporte, Elliott, Banta
Home, Safe, Home by Debra Lynn Dadd
Allergy Relief and Prevention by Taylor, Krohn MD, Larson
Is this your Child’s World by Doris Rapp MD
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity by Pamela Gibson PHD
Green from the Ground Up by Johnson and Gibson
Radical Medicine by Dr. Louisa L. Williams
Seeds of Deception by Jeffrey M. Smith
Artists Beware by Michael McCann PHD
Detoxify or Die by Sherry A. Rogers MD
Toxic Exposures/ Contested Illnesses by Phil Brown
The Secret History of the War on Cancer by Devra Davis
Web Sites
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www.Householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov
www.Safecosmetics.org
www.cosmeticdatabase.com
www.Healthytoys.org
www.Debraslist.com Debra Lynn Dadd
www.aaemonline.org- American Academy of Environmental
Medicine
www.Radicalmedicine.com Dr Louisa L. Williams
www.drrapp.com Dr. Doris Rapp
www.neuraltherapy.com Dr. Dietrich Klinghart
www.ewg.org Environmental working group
www.Epa.gov Environmental Protection Agency
www.Environmentalhealthnews.org
www.chej.org Center for Health, Environment and Justice
www.iceh.org Center for Children’ Environmental Health
www.foodnews.org
For more Information
• www.healthyecologies.com- Karen’s Blog
• www.arcadiadesignstudio.com- .
Creatively Hand crafted, Custom Furniture
p#- 303.594.6680