Title: Endocrine Disruption from plastics!
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Blog Entry: Introduction :
The theory of endocrine disruption posits that low-dose exposure to chemicals that interact with hormone receptors can interfere with reproduction, development, and other hormonally mediated processes. There is concern in the scientific community that exposure to endocrine disruptors in the womb or early in life is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including reduced IQ, ADHD, and autism. Effects of exposure during development are permanent. All people are exposed to chemicals with estrogenic effects in their everyday life, because endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in low doses in literally thousands of products.
The culprits :
Plastic water bottles Baby bottles Plastic food containers Dental materials The linings of metal food cans Plastic cases of televisions and computers Electronics Carpets Lighting Bedding Clothing Car components Foam cushions Some soft toys Flooring Medical equipment Cosmetics Air fresheners Medical tubing Catheters Blood bags
The effects :
Laboratory animals exposed to low levels of it have elevated rates diabetes, mammary and prostate cancers, decreased sperm count, reproductive problems, early puberty, obesity, and neurological problems.
Bisphenol A, for example, is found in some plastic water and baby bottles, plastic food containers, dental materials, and the linings of metal food cans. It is a known endocrine disruptor, and "hundreds of studies published in the decade" have found that laboratory animals exposed to low levels of it have elevated rates diabetes, mammary and prostate cancers, decreased sperm count, reproductive problems, early puberty, obesity, and neurological problems. Some scientists believe that humans, especially infants, are currently exposed to levels that are known to cause harm in laboratory animals. The US FDA and the chemical industry maintain that it safe, but the US Congress has taken steps to restrict the use of bisphenol A and has asked the FDA to reexamine it. Canada recently announced it plans to phase out the use of Bisphenol A in baby products. Nalgene, Playtex, and Walmart have agreed to remove this substance from their products by the end of 2008.
Source :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_disruptor
Summary :
It is my opinion that these and other products are partly responsible for the continuously compounding difficulties that have been developing in our societies. Communities that are isolated, cut off from the world, and living naturally off the land experience almost no instances of effects listed above including the vast array of mental illnesses, mental retardation, ADD, ADHD, birth defects, Autism and (yes... I have to say it.) homosexuality.
Now, don't get me wrong with what I'm about to say because I have gay and lesbian friends that I've known for years. I respect their choices and their sexualities because it is a basic human right. And although I do not fear, hate, or dispize homosexuals I strongly believe its existance is caused by chemical imbalances within the brain. Imbalances caused by exposure to chemical agents and/or nutritional deficits or neglect between the moment of conception and onset of puberty. Some social experiences may have some bearing on the emergence of homosexual tendencies but in my opinion the biggest culprit is chemical exposure and malnutrition during the critical years of development. Essentially, the first 12 years of life.
I'd like to know what you think about this very real topic.
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