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Body Burdens
also see glyphosate, antibacterials , under 2,4-D
One in three Americans have detectable levels of toxic weedkiller, study finds
(Nina Lakhani, The guardian, 9 February 2022) 'Human exposure to 2,4-D has substantially risen despite a multitude of health and environmental concerns. As the pesticide grew in popularity among farmers and gardeners, so did evidence of human exposure, rising from a low of 17% in 2001-02 to a high of almost 40% a decade later. Exposure to high levels of 2,4-D, an ingredient of Agent Orange used against civilians during the Vietnam war, has been linked to cancers including leukemia in children, birth defects and reproductive problems among other health issues... While little is known about the impact of low-level exposure to the herbicide, it does disrupt the endocrine system. Link to the study Environmental Health, Overall, the amount of 2,4-D applied in agriculture increased 67% between 2012 and 2020, but its use will almost certainly grow sharply over the next decade due to the widespread use of the controversial weedkiller Enlist Duo – a relatively newly approved combo (2,4-D and glyphosate) for genetically modified crops.' SNAP Comment: In Canada the PMRA currently registers 142 pesticides containing 2,4-D.
The Canadian Health Measures Survey The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) is a national survey that is led by Statistics Canada, in partnership with Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, which collects information from Canadians about their general health. Each cycle also contains a Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada
Increased Accumulation of Disinfectant Chemicals in the Body during the Pandemic Threatens Health, Despite Available Alternatives (Beyond Pesticides, February 1, 2022) A study published in Environmental Science and Technology finds that concentrations of quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATs or QACs) in the human body have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising health and safety concerns. QACs include a variety of chemicals in personal care, pharmaceutical, and medical products used as disinfectants, sanitizers, antimicrobials. However, over the past 70 years, large-scale production and use of these compounds led to accumulation in the environment, including surface water, sediment, and soil. Previously, researchers thought most QACs lack the potential to bioaccumulate, as the chemicals are highly water-soluble, while dermal and oral absorption rates are low. However, emerging evidence demonstrates that specific QACs bioaccumulate in blood and other body tissues and can cause a range of toxic effects. The results show 15 out of the 18 QACs are detectable in blood samples, with QAC concentrations significantly higher during the pandemic than prior to it. The main routes of exposure include diet, inhalation, ingestion, or the skin. '
Study Shows Organic Food Diet Reduces Residues of Glyphosate in Body (Beyond Pesticides, August 13, 2020) 'Levels of the notorious herbicide compound glyphosate in the human body are reduced by 70% through a one-week switch to an organic diet.'
Chemical Levels Found to Be Higher in Children from Low Income Families (Beyond Pesticides, August 19, 2011) 'The chemicals measured included phthalates, organochlorine pesticides, organophosphate pesticides, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and volatile organic compounds. ..The children studied had higher concentrations of many of the 75 chemicals tested compared to national surveys of children.'
Environmental Working Group; to the left, click on Health/Toxics, then body burdens / Human testing of pesticides. Scroll to research and click more to find great reports including Body Burdens identifying many dozens of contaminants in people.You can also search for Pesticides and children for more resources.
Body Burden, The Pollution in Newborns, Environmental Working Group (2005)
CDC National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals Fourth report in 2009. Updated 2012 tables. In the 4th report, 75 new chemicals tested for the first time. 75% of US population have the anti-bacterial pesticide triclosan in their urine. Triclosan is shown to alter thyroid function, is linked to bacterial and compounded antibiotic resistance, dioxin contamination and contamination of surface waters and sewage sludge. Synthetic pyrethroids and/or their metabolites were all found in greater than 50% of the subjects tested. Exposure to synthetic pyrethroids has been reported to trigger asthma, lead to headaches There are also serious chronic health concerns.