How are we exposed?

Here is a very simple introduction to sources of toxic materials that we could have been exposed to. We will break down each of these categories in more depth in a later section, helping you with laboratory tests, prevention, and treatment of these chemical toxicants and toxins.

Food pollution

Most common food pollutants: persistent organic pollutants (POPs), organophosphates (OCPs), pesticides (various herbicides, glyphosate)

• Xenobiotics: plastics, bisphenol A (BPA)

• Metals: aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury

• Most contaminated food: sardines, farmed salmon, large carnivorous fish, conventional meats, the “dirty dozen” fruits and vegetables

Click here for the section: Food can make you ill (See the “Dirty Dozen”and the “Clean 15”)

Water pollution

• Most common water pollutants: microorganisms, disinfectants (chlorine inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, radionuclides)

• Metals: lead

• Primary sources: agricultural, industrial, and geological

• Primary disease associations: cancer, brain and nervous system damage, cardiovascular disease, developmental defects, infertility, reproductive dysfunctions, and hormone disruption

Indoor air pollution

• Most common indoor air pollutants: mold and mycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), volatile organic compounds (PBDE), trihalomethanes, phthalates

• Most common sources: building materials, fabrics and carpeting, teflon pans, air fresheners, water damaged buildings, dust

Outdoor air pollution

• Primary sources: vehicular exhaust, gas and oil production, industry, agriculture

• Primary toxicants: particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (PBDE) and metals, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur and nitrogen oxides

• Primary disease associations: Cardiovascular, neoplastic or tumor growth that can develop into cancer, respiratory, immune, neurologic, endocrine