Blog
Which Water is Safest to Drink?
November 3, 2017
According to a report by the Environment Working Group (EWG) (news story by Robert Coleman), the drinking water supply for nearly everyone in America contains levels of chemicals that exceed at least one health-protective guideline. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself.
Dangers of Living Next to Refineries and Chemical Plants
November 3, 2017
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Exxon Refinery Catches Fire Day After Government Settles Over Pollution From Other Gulf Plants. By Julie Dermansky. This part of the US is known as “cancer alley.” Perhaps it could also be known as “TILT Territory”- individuals living in this region likely have many “allergies” which can be the result of chemical, food […]
Pesticides and Damaged Brains
October 30, 2017
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.
Mold Will Be Health Issue after Harvey, Expert Says
September 13, 2017
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.
E.P.A. Promised ‘a New Day’ for the Agriculture Industry, Documents Reveal
September 12, 2017
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 […]
Recovering from Harvey When ‘You Already Live a Disaster Every Day of Your Life’ – The Washington Post
September 11, 2017
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 […]
Oxidative Mechanisms Contributing to the Developmental Neurotoxicity of Nicotine and Chlorpyrifos
August 18, 2017
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 […]
Health Hazards in Everyday Products
June 8, 2017
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 […]
Chemical Intolerance in Primary Care Settings
May 26, 2017
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 […]
Chemical Intolerance – Comparing Gulf War Veterans & Other Affected Groups
May 26, 2017
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.