M9.2 Blog: Six Chemical Classes

Six Chemical Classes

Discuss each of the 6 half-hour webinars in a single blog post, separating the post by inserting each webinar's title before discussing that webinar.

Highly Fluorinated Chemicals:

These manmade/manufactured chemicals are used for stain and water repellency and remain in the environment forever. Individuals are exposed to these products in both the home and work place and have been found in 98% of Americans. The most vulnerable population being fetuses and adolescents. Additionally, there are more than 3,000 fluorinated chemicals used today. The good news is that more companies are choosing not to sell products with fluorinated chemicals. Health concerns linked to highly fluorinated chemicals include:

·       Kidney and testicular cancer

·       Elevated cholesterol

·       Decreased fertility

·       Reduced vaccine effectiveness in children

·       Thyroid disease

·       Interference with hormone function

What can you do to reduce your exposure to highly fluorinated chemicals?

·       Choose textiles and carpeting without water and stain repellency.

·       Avoid food with grease proof packaging such as microwave popcorn and some fast food.

·       Avoid personal care products with perfluoro, polyfluor, and PTE on the label.

·       Be wary of products labelled “PFOA free.”

o   They often contain similar chemicals instead.

·       When possible choose products without fluorinated chemicals. 

Antimicrobials:

Antimicrobials are supposed to kill microorganisms and inhibit their growth; however, they are often found to be unnecessary and can do more harm than good. Antimicrobials can end up in water, food, and breastmilk. The two antimicrobials with the largest concerns are Triclosan and Triclocarban. They are used in hand soap and bar soap; however, they do not provide any benefit beyond plain soap and water. Health concerns associated with antimicrobials include:

·       Disruption of hormones functioning.

·       Adverse reproductive and developmental effects.

·       Increase in allergen sensitivity and antibiotic resistance.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to antimicrobials?

·       Do not use products identified as “antibacterial.”

·       Read ingredient labels.

o   Avoid products containing triclosan or triclocarban.

·       Look out for replacement antimicrobials.

o   They are unnecessary and may also be problematic.

·       When possible, ask for products without antimicrobials.

Flame Retardants:

Per flammability regulations, flame retardants are added to consumer products to slow or prevent fires; however, they do not always work as intended. Research shows that they only delay ignition a few seconds and make fires even more dangerous. Flame retardants can be toxic and move from the products and homes that contain the flame retardants, into our bodies. Babies are born with the same levels of flame retardants as their mothers and are further exposed through breast milk. Toddlers have 3 to 10 times the amount of flame retardants in their bodies than adults. This can harm developing brains and reproductive organs at the most vulnerable time. Some flame retardants are linked to lower IQs and hyperactivity in children as well as hormone disruption, decreased fertility, and cancer. Toxic flame retardants are found in products such as:

·       TV cases

·       Building insulation

·       Textiles

·       Fabric blinds

·       Paints and coatings

·       Transportation interiors

·       Car seats

·       Infant mattresses

·       Rebonded carpet padding

·       Wire and cable sheeting

·       Gym foam blocks

·       Furniture foam

What can you do to reduce your exposure to flame retardants?

·       When buying upholstered furniture, look for a TB117-2013 label stating the item does not contain flame retardants.

·       Avoid exposure to contaminated dust by vacuuming with a HEPA filter, cleaning with a damp cloth, wash hands (especially before eating).

·       Avoid rebounded carpet padding.

·       Ask for products without flame retardants.

Bisphenols and Phthalates:

Bisphenols and phthalates are hormone disruptors. Hormones are the chemical messengers that help our bodies function properly. Even a small amount of these chemicals can have a big effect. They can be absorbed through the skin, ingested when they leech into our food or drink, or inhaled. Young children and fetuses are the most vulnerable, especially during critical windows of brain and organ development. However, they do not stay in our bodies very long. When we stop using products containing them, our levels decrease within days.

Bisphenols and phthalates have different uses and properties. Bisphenols are hardening agents, while phthalates are used to make plastic more flexible. Bisphenols are used in such products as canned food liners, plastic containers, teething toys, and cash register receipts. Bisphenol A is linked to neurodevelopmental problems such as: hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression. As well as decreased fertility, heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to bisphenols?

·       Don’t use plastic containers for hot food or drinks, or for microwaving.

·       Avoid plastics marked with recycle code 7; these may be made with bisphenols.

o   These may be made with bisphenols.

·       Eat more fresh food and less canned or packaged food.

·       Wash your hands after touching cash register receipts.

Phthalates can be found in personal care products, toys, flexible PVC pipes, vinyl flooring and more. Exposure to phthalates is associated with increased allergies and asthma, harm to reproductive development in boys, and decreased fertility in men. Some phthalates are being phased out only to be replaced with similar ones that may also be harmful. 

What can you do to reduce your exposure to phthalates?

·       Use plastics as little as possible.

·       Be sure to avoid plastics marked with recycle code 3; these may be made with phthalates.

·       Select products without “fragrance,” “perfume,” or “parfum” on the ingredient label.

·       To reduce exposure to contaminated dust vacuum with a HEPA filter, clean with a damp cloth, and wash hands especially before eating.

Some Solvents: 

Solvents are a diverse class of chemicals that are used to dissolve or disperse other substances. Solvents are often necessary; but some are toxic and should be avoided. We breath in solvents after they evaporate into the air, and we can also absorb them through skin contact. Products containing solvents include; oil-based paints, paint strippers, adhesives, wood finishes, household cleaners, cosmetics, markers, aerosols, nail polish remover, garment dry-cleaning, sealants, and shoe polish. Additionally, some solvents released into the environment contaminate groundwater and can end up in our drinking water. Even low-level exposure to some solvents can be harmful, but safer alternatives are available. For example, professional wet cleaning uses water instead of dry cleaning solvents that can harm the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to solvents?

·       Opt for wet cleaning instead of conventional dry cleaning.

·       Use water-based, instead of oil-based paints.

·       Use screws and other mechanical fasteners or water-based adhesives in furnishings and construction.

·       Select eco-labelled cleaning products, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s “Safer Choice.”

·       When possible, ask for products without problematic solvents.

Certain Metals:

Certain metals can be excellent conductors, malleable, or resistant to corrosion but are linked to health harm. The class of metals being discussed for this purpose consist of mercury, arsenic, cadmium and lead. We are exposed by eating foods contaminated with those metals, breathing cigarette smoke, and ingesting household dust. The greatest health concern from these metals is prenatal and early-life exposure, which may harm brain development.

Mercury is released from coal-burning plants and pollutes the air and bodies of water. Eating long-lived fish can lead to dangerous levels of mercury in people. Exposure to mercury in the womb can impair brain development, leading to learning and behavior problems. Additionally, Mercury can damage the nervous system or kidneys and may also harm heart function.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to mercury?

·       Choose fish that are lower in mercury, such as salmon, tilapia, trout, sardines, and anchovies.

·       Avoid skin lightening, anti-aging, and acne face creams, unless you’re certain that they do not contain mercury.

·       Safely dispose of glass thermometers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and older thermostats that contain mercury.

Arsenic can increase the risk of skin lung and bladder cancer, cardiovascular disease, and harm the nervous system. Rice absorbs arsenic more easily than other grains do, and potentially harmful levels of arsenic have been found in infant rice cereal. In 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration proposed an upper limit for these cereals. However, other rice-based products remain a concern.

What can you do to reduce your exposure to arsenic?

·       Diversify your diet.

o   Include alternatives to rice-based foods when possible.

·       Avoid pressure treated wood manufactured before 2004, which may contain arsenic.

·       Wash hands after contact with older wooden decks or play structures.

Cadmium can be used in paints, metal coatings, plastics, toys, and costume jewelry. Exposure to cadmium can impair brain development, damage lungs and kidneys, weaken bones, and increase cancer risk. 

What can you do to reduce your exposure to cadmium?

·       Do not let children play with metal jewelry that may contain cadmium.

·       Avoid breathing in cigarette smoke, which may contain cadmium.

·       Avoid welding fumes and dust by working in well-ventilated areas and using protective equipment.

Lead was mostly removed from paint in 1978; however, peeling paint in older buildings continues to be the largest source of lead exposure. Children in low-wealth communities have the highest risk of lead poisoning, which leads to reduced IQ and lifetime earning potential. Additionally, lead can cause harm to brain development, miscarriages, stillbirth, infertility, and high blood pressure. The good news is that eliminating lead from products can have a big impact. One example of this is the removal of lead from gasoline. When this took place, human blood levels dropped dramatically, reducing the use of certain metals contributed to a healthier population. 

What can you do to reduce your exposure to lead?

·       Keep children away from peeling paint.

·       Use protective gear when removing lead-based paint.

·       Use cold water for drinking or cooking to reduce the release of lead from older pipes.

·       Confirm that your water is safe.

o   Inexpensive lead testing kits are available.

·       Wash hands, vacuum with a HEPA filter, and wet-mop to reduce exposure to contaminated dust. 

Resources:

·       Six Classes. Retrieved from: http://www.sixclasses.org/videos