Monday, August 31, 2009

Beware of these cancerous chemicals in your work or home-lives

We know not to smoke or chew tobacco.

But we must further beware of other items that can cause the development of cancer.

These environment substances can be contributory to the development of cancers:
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (uses:
vinyl siding for houses --incidentally, such siding is banned by local authorities in some countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands [source: polyvinyl chloride article, wikipedia]
sex toys have high concentrations of PVCs [source: polyvinyl chloride article, wikipedia]
car interiors {that "new car smell"}, outgassing" {open those windows!} is recommended for new cars. Japanese car makers, Nissan, Honda and Toyota eliminated PVC use in cars in 2007.

vinyl flooring is considered toxic to children, according to a Swedish-Danish study, but a European study found no risk.

Bisphenol A ("BPA") is a substance found in plastic bottles. It has been found to interfere with reproductive function in animals and has been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans. -Physorg.com, May 21, 2009. A Harvard School of Public Health monitored BPA levels in urine of drinkers from plastic bottles.

REMINDER OF BOTTLES TO AVOID --from thegreenguide.com, a site project of National Geographic:
What To Buy:

#2 HDPE, #4 LDPE and #5 PP: These three types of plastic are your best choices. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they're generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.

#1 PET: Fine for single use and widely accepted by municipal recyclers; avoid reusing #1 water and soda bottles, as they're hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.

PLA: plastics made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content; although you can't recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap.

Plastics to Avoid:

#3 PVC: Used frequently in cling wraps for meat, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor.

#6 PS: Polystyrene-foam cups and clear plastic take-out containers can leach styrene, a possible human carcinogen, into food.

#7 PC: The only plastic made with bisphenol A, polycarbonate is used in baby bottles, 5-gallon water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. Bisphenol A has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as heart disease and obesity.


NEGATIVE DIETARY SUBSTANCES:
nitrates, nitrites, fatty foods, high caloric diet, >>> negative diet substances
(Yet, a commenter at a chow.com reports that s/he has found nitrate/free bacon at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.) On the other hand, WebMD reports that nitrites and nitrates in "leafy vegetables and meats" "may cut heart damage."

HEALTHY FOODS WE SHOULD EAT MORE OF:
fruits and vegetables, high fiber food (inc whole grain cereals and cruciferous vegetables)
cruciferous vegetables
(cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, kale, bok choy, turnips, turnip greens)

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