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Chapter 7 Long-term effects of chemical exposure Before I
begin discussing the long-term effects of exposure to toxic chemicals in
cleaning and personal care products, I want to make two points that I think
are very important. First, the different diseases and conditions linked to
chemical exposure are usually the result of long-term exposure. Just as one
cigarette is not likely to give you cancer, one non-acute exposure to
chemicals in cleaners probably won’t harm you either. But we’re talking about
cumulative exposure to many different products: your mouthwash, conditioner,
cologne or perfume, laundry detergent, window cleaner, and so on. When you
consider all the products and all the chemicals you come across each day, you
can begin to understand the potential for long-term harm. Remember,
the long-term effects of exposure to most chemicals in household products are
not known. And nothing is known about what happens when they mix within our
bodies. Drinking alcohol while using certain drugs can be a deadly
combination. Could other chemicals mix in our bodies in a similarly fatal
way? My second
point concerns your body. What most doctors and scientists who investigate
and treat chemical-related illness contend is that the amount of chemical a
person is exposed to is not as important as how sensitive a person might be.
Some people can drink three beers and not be intoxicated. Others can feel
groggy after drinking less than one beer. It all depends on a person’s size
and weight and the strength of their detox system.
The same concept applies to chemical exposure. Your Body’s Detox System Your body
has a system that destroys and eliminates toxins. After all, many things that
appear naturally in the environment are toxic and we need to have a strong
defence system against them. Organs like the kidneys and liver filter out and
remove toxins. Our blood contains T-cells that attack foreign agents.
However, many people have overloaded or very weak detox
systems. High levels of toxins and a poor nutritional state leave many people
more susceptible to the effects of chronic chemical exposure. Even
healthy people can be affected. When exposed to a certain toxin, the body
will respond by producing more of the enzymes needed to destroy the poison.
In a sense, the body has “masked” the poisoning. It has prevented the effects
of the poisoning from being felt, even if the effects would have been mild.
But, this has stressed the immune system, possibly leaving a person
vulnerable to infection. By
switching to cleaners and personal care products that are NOT full of
toxins, you can reduce the stress on your detox
system, possibly leading to a healthier life. I have not missed a day of work
due to illness in over two years. I have not seen a doctor for illness in
three years. My children have been to the doctor for illness only twice in
three years. I believe this is, in part, the result of my wife and me
deciding to switch to safer and more natural products. I encourage you to do
the same. It’s one decision your family can live with. |