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Pesticides and Damaged Brains
Despite its ban for indoor use several years ago, Chlorpyrifos remains common in agriculture and other outdoor applications. An investigative report by New York Times columnist Nicolas Kristof decries this pesticide, deeming it a significant public health risk.
Read moreMold Will Be Health Issue after Harvey, Expert Says
Dr. Claudia S. Miller, MD, MS, co-author of the book Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes,warns against mold issues for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. She and her team of researchers are assisting people who may be affected by mold and various toxicants in the aftermath of the storm.
Read moreE.P.A. Promised ‘a New Day’ for the Agriculture Industry, Documents Reveal
Many individuals, including those suffering from Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance or TILT and veterans with “Gulf War Illness” encountered chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate pesticide, linked to the initiation of chemical, food and drug intolerances. Decades later, unknown numbers still suffer from chronic multi-system symptoms and debilitating cognitive and mood difficulties that continue to be triggered and re-triggered […]
Read moreRecovering from Harvey When ‘You Already Live a Disaster Every Day of Your Life’ – The Washington Post
This well-written Washington Post piece describes: “the stench permeating the neighborhood,” much of which is from mold. This is an excellent account of the mold hazards people face after a hurricane or flood. Many chemically intolerant or TILTed patients became ill after a major mold exposure. For some sensitive individuals, thereafter, even a “whiff” of mold […]
Read moreOxidative Mechanisms Contributing to the Developmental Neurotoxicity of Nicotine and Chlorpyrifos
A 2005 study by Qiao D, et al., published in the journal of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology demonstrates the potential benefits of Vitamin E in preventing the adverse effects of pesticides. Nicotine and chlorpyrifos, (a common pesticide), are known to harm the developing brain. Both promote the formation of oxidative radicals. Interestingly, nicotine is found to […]
Read moreHealth Hazards in Everyday Products
Did you know that most exposure to hazardous pollutants occurs indoors? Major contributors include common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, cleaning chemicals, laundry supplies, and personal care products. The EPA considers most of these to be indoor air pollutants, yet there are no standards to protect the most sensitive individuals. This 2017 article […]
Read moreChemical Intolerance in Primary Care Settings
This study examines the prevalence and clinical characteristics of chemical intolerance in a sample of primary care clinic patients. A total of 400 patients were recruited from 2 family medicine clinic waiting rooms in San Antonio, Texas. Patients completed the validated Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) to assess chemical intolerance Overall, 20.3% of […]
Read moreChemical Intolerance – Comparing Gulf War Veterans & Other Affected Groups
Up to one-third of the U.S. population reported being either “especially” or “unusually” intolerant to certain chemicals, with about 5% reporting physician-diagnosed chemical intolerance (CI). Dr. Claudia Miller and colleagues developed the Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (EESI), a validated tool designed to assist researchers and clinicians in evaluating patients and populations for CI. In this study, Drs. Miller and Prihoda applied the EESI to five different population groups for comparison. Groups were CI patients (1) who did or (2) did not attribute onset of their illness to a specific exposure event, (3) patients with surgically implanted devices, (4) Gulf War veterans (GWV), and (5) controls. All of the exposure groups reported similar multi-system symptoms and new onset chemical, food and drug intolerances despite having different initiating exposures.
Read moreAutism and Chemical Intolerance
This blog summarizes key findings from a study conducted by Lynne P. Heilbrun et al. (2015) titled “Maternal Chemical and Drug Intolerances: Potential Risk Factors for Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).” To access the full article, please click HERE. Developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) […]
Read moreFragranced Consumer Products: Exposures and Effects from Emissions
Fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products, are a leading source of indoor air pollution. In this study, a random sample of the U.S. population was surveyed to investigate health effects related to emissions from fragranced products.
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