Human health and the environment continue to suffer the cost of increase industrialisation and the quest for better standards of living. We have more industries, better technology, better health care facilities but more disease and an environment that is deteriorating rapidly. This can be attributed to harmful substances or Toxins which are discharged into our waterways, left exposed in the environment and used in our homes more than any other time in earth’s history.

Toxins and the Environment
Some toxins can pose great danger to the environment. Toxins such as, mercury, chromium and lead do not break down easily (persistent) and build up in food chains and the environment (bioaccumulative). Once such substances enter a food chain, they can be transferred from one stage to the next and ultimately from one organism to the next. Thus, their use and release gradually contaminate soil, air, water, humans and animals.

Toxins and Our Health
It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of all cancers are a direct result of chemicals in our air, water and food.

Toxins that directly affect the nervous system are called neurotoxins. Since the nervous system is intricately connected to the immune system, neurotoxins affect our immune functions. Exposure to toxins can therefore drastically affect our ability to think and feel normally.

Neuroscientists are currently studying the role of environmental toxins in the development of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and in mental/behavioural disorders such as depression anxiety and attention deficit disorder.

Some Common Neurotoxins
Known neurotoxins that we are most commonly exposed to are lead, mercury, cadmium and pesticides. Most of these toxins are colourless and odourless; hence, sensory detection is often impossible. While sudden poisoning can result in immediate reactions that are traceable to the source, the symptoms of poisoning from today’s pollution may come on more slowly due to a gradual build-up.

It is important to note that cigarette smoke is one of the most common toxic indoor air pollutants since tobacco smoke is a mixture of more than 4,700 compounds. Experts believe more than 87% of lung cancers are caused by cigarette smoke. Smoking, or even inhaling secondhand smoke, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Common Symptoms of Toxicity
Persons who have been exposed to toxins may experience some of these symptoms: fatigue, lethargy, depression, headaches, allergies, chronic infection, frequent colds, nervousness, sudden anger, sensitivity to perfume/odors, memory loss and joint pains. Toxic poisoning is often difficult to detect since many of these symptoms could stem from a multitude of other causes, hence, more often than not toxicity is not readily suspected.

Continued exposure to neurotoxins may trigger the expression of a disease for which one has a genetic predisposition. In general, toxins pose the most dangerous risk for our children.

What can be done?
Individuals can take positive actions in relation to Toxins:

Become better informed about what toxins especially those common in the home, are and where they come from.

Learn how to reduce and eliminate one’s exposure to the toxins in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.

Make a commitment to buy and eat food which is grown organically.

Ensure that fruits and vegetables are washed thoroughly before eating or cooking since dust is a common source of lead and cadmium.

Ensure good water quality in the home. If a problem exists, the installation of a filter system can be done to ensure safety.

Do not release toxins untreated into the environment.

It will take time, great public awareness and education effort and undoubtedly political action to see global changes in relation to Toxins and their uses. However, taking some simple steps can go a long way in helping to protect ourselves and our children.

http://www.regjerigen.no
www.webmd.com
yourhealthandmine.net/toxins

You can also share your ideas and questions by sending your letters to: “Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division. Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Broad and Charles Street, Charlestown, GEORGETOWN. Or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com with your questions and comments.