According to a recent report, a toxic brew of synthetic chemicals could be the “most underrated threat facing humanity”. The report, “Toxicity: The Invisible Tsunami,” identifies over 3,600 chemicals of concern. Prominent among these are PFAS compounds that were found in almost everyone tested. So, should you worry, and is there anything you can do about it?
The toxins examined in the report
The sobering report from Deep Science Ventures is subtitled “How pervasive toxicity threatens human and planetary survival.” In it they explore how environmental toxins pose a very real and present danger to humanity. The key families of toxins they identified are:
- Bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals are used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (Plexiglass®) and some plastic resins. Originally, BPA was used as a synthetic form of estrogen.
- PBDES (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers). These chemicals are mostly used as flame retardants. Many countries require the use of flame retardants in soft furnishings, which has seen their use soar.
- Phthalates. These are added to plastics to modify their properties in desirable ways. Specifically, they are usually used as plasticisers, which help make the plastics softer and more flexible. They are also used in personal care products to help lock in fragrances among other functions.
- Pesticides. The report looks at pesticides collectively, meaning herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides/bactericides. They pay particular attention to an infamous class of insecticides called neonicotinoids (indeed, these chemicals receive an entire section of their own).
- PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). This large group of chemicals are used to provide a range of desirable properties, such as waterproofness, stain resistance, heatproofing, and low friction. Many PFAS compounds are mainly used in the manufacture of other PFAS. The compounds have become completely pervasive since they were first created before WW2.
All these compounds have been widely used over the past 50-100 years. But we are only now realizing how harmful they may be.
How we are exposed to these threats
The report identifies the three major ways we are exposed to these chemicals.
- The water we drink
- The air we breathe
- The food we eat
In some cases, we seem to have passed the tipping point when it comes to pollution. For instance, some PFAS compounds like PFOA are now endemic across the globe. What’s worse is that they are water soluble and have permeated the entire water cycle. This, coupled with their incredible resistance to breaking down, means that we have possibly passed the point of no return when it comes to solving this issue. (This is compounded by the fact that many countries don’t regulate these compounds, so they are still entering the environment through manufacturing).
How these toxins impact us and our environment
The report goes into detail about the mechanisms by which these compounds affect humans, both directly and indirectly. Here are the main issues they describe.
Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress (OS) occurs when there are too many “free radicals” in the body and not enough antioxidants to soak them up. Free radicals have a significant ability to cause damage to cells and to DNA. Oxidative stress is linked with high PFAS levels as well as high levels of certain heavy metals that are found in pesticides.
Cancer: Cancer is one of the biggest risks from oxidative stress. However, it is also caused by other mechanisms related to chemical toxins including microplastics.
Neurodegeneration: OS can cause significant neurological damage leading to neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Cardiotoxicity: OS is linked with cardiovascular disease. This includes inflammation, reduced arterial elasticity, hypertension, and, ultimately, cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.
Untargeted insecticides
Insecticides are used to control pests that can cause significant damage to crops. But insecticides often end up killing or harming beneficial insects, including pollinators like bees. They also have a negative impact on biodiversity.
The report identifies four families of pesticides we should worry about:
- Neonicotinoids
- Carbamate/Organophosphates
- Organochlorines
- Pyrethroids
Many of these are also toxic to humans, and can be accidentally ingested if they are present on the surface of foods we consume.
Endocrine disruptors
The final impact identified in the report is from endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These are chemicals that have similar structures to key molecules in the body, especially endocrine messenger chemicals, like hormones. As mentioned above, BPAs were originally used as artificial hormones. But a large number of other chemicals, like PFAS, also fall into this category.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals are especially concerning, since they can have such widespread effects on our whole body. Also, because they mimic essential chemicals we produce naturally, they are hard for the body to process and eliminate. Thus, they are far more likely to bioaccumulate in our body.
What can I do about this?
The report makes for worrying reading, and many of the headlines it generated were bordering on doom-mongering. However, there are a few steps to take if you are worried.
Get tested
At-home tests exist for a wide range of the chemicals mentioned above.
- Million Marker offers tests for toxins like BPAs, phthalates and parabens.
- Relentless Health offers home blood test kits able to identify a wide range of common PFAS compounds, including the most widespread (PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS).
- You can also get tests for PFAS or other toxins in your water supply, or even in samples of fabrics, or other items around your home.
Lifestyle changes
In some cases, you may be able to avoid exposure to these chemicals by making careful choices. For example, buy furniture and carpets that haven’t been treated to be “stain resistant”. Avoid the use of plastic containers, especially for reheating food in the microwave. Or buy organic food to try and avoid exposure to pesticides. However, it can be harder than you think. Organic food may not have pesticides, but it could be grown in a field that has been contaminated with PFAS.
Filtering water
Drinking water is a major source of many toxins, such as pesticides and PFAS. In many places, there are statutory limits applied to water utility companies. But in the US, a significant portion of the population uses well water that could easily be contaminated. Moreover, quite a number of water utilities have been shown to supply water with relatively high levels of PFAS and other contaminants.
The solution is to fit high performance water filters, and make sure you replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Just check that your filter is certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
