How the Body is Affected by Petrochemicals
Choose an area of concern:
Terms
Dioxins are not intentionally manufactured. They are
unintentionally formed as byproducts of chemical processes involving
chlorine, such as the manufacture of pesticides and the bleaching of
paper. The manufacture and incineration of plastics such as polyvinyl
chloride (PVC, commonly used in consumer product packaging and medical
devices) is another major source of dioxin. Two of the most serious
health effects of dioxin exposure are cancer and endocrine disruption.
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands
and hormones that regulate many of the body's functions including growth,
development, and maturation, and the way various organs operate. The
endocrine glands –- including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal,
thymus, pancreas, ovaries, and testes – release carefully-measured
amounts of hormones into the bloodstream that act as natural chemical
messengers, traveling to different parts of the body in order to control
and adjust many life functions.
An endocrine disruptor is a chemical that, when absorbed
into the body, either mimics or blocks hormones and disrupts the body's
normal functions. This disruption can happen through altering normal
hormone levels, halting or stimulating the production of hormones, or
changing the way hormones travel through the body, thus affecting the
functions that these hormones control. Because endocrine disruptors
affect the development of the body's vital organs and hormonal systems,
infants, children, and developing fetuses are more vulnerable to exposure.
Exposure to endocrine disruptors can occur through
direct contact with pesticides and other chemicals or through ingestion
of contaminated water, food, or air. Dioxin is one known endocrine disruptor
and there are others: diethylstilbesterol (the drug DES), PCBs, DDT,
and some other pesticides. Many chemicals, particularly pesticides and
plasticizers, are suspected endocrine disruptors based on animal studies.
Chemicals suspected of acting as endocrine disruptors are found in insecticides,
herbicides, fumigants, and fungicides that are used in agriculture as
well as in the home. Industrial workers can be exposed to chemicals
such as detergents, resins, and plasticizers with endocrine-disrupting
properties. Endocrine disruptors also enter the air or water as byproducts
of many chemical and manufacturing processes, and when plastics and
other materials are burned. Further, National Institute of Health studies
have found that endocrine disruptors can leach out of plastics, including
the type of plastic used to make hospital intravenous bags (PVC.) Many
endocrine disruptors are persistent in the environment and accumulate
in fat, so exposures can also come from eating fatty foods and fish
from contaminated water. (Visit www.mindfully.org.)
Pthalates are a particular group of petrochemicals
that are known to have endocrine disrupting properties. Pthalates are
used to make rigid plastics soft and pliable and are also commonly added
to cosmetics. Pthalates are linked to elevated rates of endocrine disruption
and are possibly carcinogenic. A Centers for Disease Control report
found alarming rates of pthalates in urine and blood samples. Some common
pthalates and the items in which they are used include:
Di-ethyl phthalate (DEP): Toothbrushes, auto parts, tools, toys,
food packaging, insecticides, mosquito repellents, aspirin, and volatile
components of cosmetics – perfumes, nail polishes, and hair
sprays.
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP): Cellulose plastics, solvents for dyes,
solvents for cosmetics (i.e., nail polish), food wrap, perfumes, skin
emollients, hair spray, insect repellents.
Benzyl butyl phthalate: Plasticizers in adhesives, PVC flooring,
wood finishes, tampon packaging.
What is the Precautionary Principle? The majority
of the more than 2,000 chemicals that come onto the market every year
are not subjected to even the simplest tests to determine toxicity.
In addition, the ways that these chemicals react with each other and
with our bodies is even less studied. A better way to create public
policy is by using the Precautionary Principle as a
guide to protect us and the environment from harm:
When an activity (or product) raises threats of harm to human health
or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if
some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.
In this context, the proponents of an activity (the product manufacturer),
rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof (to prove
that the product is safe). The process of applying the Precautionary
Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially
affected parties (the public and consumers).
Map Key
1. Petrochemicals and Food:
Pesticides — One way we ingest petrochemicals
in food is from pesticides. Many widely used pesticides are classified
by the EPA as probable or possible causes of cancer in humans; and
many are known to cause damage to the nervous, reproductive and immune
systems in laboratory animals. EPA pesticide regulations do not take
into consideration potential chronic health effects from low-level
exposures that do not cause immediate and obvious harm. The EPA also
ignores potential combined effects from exposure to more than one
chemical at a time. Current regulations do not consider exposure to
vulnerable populations such as children and the immune-compromised.
Dairy products, apples, bananas, broccoli, cantaloupes, and carrots
have among the highest rates of petrochemical residues and are foods
commonly consumed by children, who are particularly sensitive to pesticides.
The alternative? Support organic, pesticide-free food production.
Plastics — An advertisement for the American
Plastic Council calls plastic “an important part of your healthy
diet,” noting, “ you could think of them as the sixth
basic food group.” Yum! How true this is when you take into
account the fact that plastics tend to migrate into food, especially
meats, cheeses, and other fatty foods. More migration occurs if food
is heated or microwaved in plastic containers. The safest bet is to
avoid food sold or stored in plastic, especially plastic wraps, PVC,
and polystyrene foam. Source: www.mindfully.org.
Meat and Dairy Products — Chemicals from the
petroleum manufacturing process enter our bodies through the foods
we eat, especially meat and dairy products. Chemicals such as pesticides
and antibiotics tend to accumulte in milk and in animal flesh. Another
way in which we ingest petrochemicals and dioxins is less obvious:
The manufacture and incineration of PVC (polyvinylchloride, #3) creates
and disperses dioxins into the air and water. From there, they enter
the food chain and accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals.
Food as defense – Diets rich in fresh fruits
and vegetables, which contain high levels of vitamins and anti-oxidants,
help the body combat the effects of petrochemicals. Help counterbalance
the effects of petroleum in your body and world by visiting local
farmers’ markets to get your recommended 5 servings a day of
fresh fruits and veggies. Plus, consider becoming a vegan and growing
your own pesticide-free food instead! back to top
2. Toothpaste — Many
toothpastes include ingredients made from petroleum, such as artificial
colors and mineral oil. Baking soda or natural toothpaste is a better
choice.
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3. Cosmetics — Petrochemicals
are very prevalent in cosmetics. Examples include lip gloss, which is
commonly made from petroleum oil, and nail polish, which contains petroleum-derived
solvents such as toluene. Many cosmetics on the market contain harmful
phthalates. The Environmental Working Group’s interactive website
lists cosmetics by brand name and the hazardous ingredients contained
in them. Visit it at www.ewg.org/cosmetics.
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4. Hair Products — Hair mousse,
gels, and sprays commonly contain endocrine-disrupting pthalates. Synthetic
hair dyes include petroleum-derived coloring chemicals as well as other
harmful ingredients such as ammonia and lead. Synthetic hair dyes are
known to penetrate skin and to cause cancer in laboratory animals. To
avoid warning labels about carcinogenic effects, manufacturers slightly
reformulate their products by removing the carcinogen and replacing
it, quite legally, with another chemical that is just as dangerous.
Henna, derived from plants, is a safe alternative that has been used
for centuries in Egypt and the Middle East.
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5. Learning Disabilities —
In a study in Mexico, pesticide-exposed children were less proficient
at catching a ball, which is reflective of poor eye-hand coordination.
They had lower stamina levels, more trouble remembering things, and
were less able to draw accurate drawings of people. This study is one
of many documenting the negative effects of petroleum products on the
brain. However the overall effects of exposure to pesticides, plastics,
and air pollution remain largely unstudied.
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6. Perfume and Aftershave —
These usually consist of a combination of chemicals, solvents, and natural
essential oils in a base of alcohol, which can include toluene, ketone,
and other hazardous substances. Approximately 95% of the ingredients
in perfumes are derived from petrochemicals. Little scientific study
has been done on the health effects of scented products, but generally
they are recognized as highly allergenic and are notorious for causing
skin irritation, headaches, and nausea. Try natural, essential oils
instead.
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7. Soaps — Many soaps contain petroleum-derived
synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, and mineral oil that may cause
skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Instead, look for vegetable
oil-based soaps without artificial fragrances.
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8. Lotions, Sunscreens, and Body Care Products –
Many body care products contain pthalates such as DEHP and DBP. In animals,
both DEHP and DBP are toxic to the liver, kidneys, testes, and the nervous
system. DBP is used extensively in perfumes, nail polishes, lotions,
and hair sprays. High levels of exposure have been found in women of
reproductive age. Ironically, some sunblocks contain suspected carcinogens,
including diethanolamine and related ingredients (DEA, TEA), padimate-o,
and titanium dioxide. Other ingredients are suspected endocrine disrupters:
benzophenone (oxybenzone), homosalate, octyl-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate),
and the parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, butyl-, propyl-). Moreover, sunscreens
can contain chemicals associated with skin irritation and rashes, including
avobenzone (parsol 1789), benzophenone, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and
PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). Not only are these chemicals potentially
bad for you, they're bad for the environment. Diethanolamine has been
found in waterways around the country, posing a threat to animals and
humans. According to the National Toxicology Program, benzophenone has
been found in surface water, groundwater, soil, and air, and may affect
the liver and bone marrow of animals ingesting large amounts of contaminated
water. This and other endocrine disruptors in sunblocks can also enter
the water system when we swim or bathe, eventually winding up in fish,
amphibians, and marine wildlife, and posing a threat to the animals'
reproductive cycles. Source: Grist
Magazine, Environmental Working Group.
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9. Breast Milk — If breast milk from American
women were bottled and sold commercially, it would be banned by the
US Food and Drug Administration because it is contaminated with more
than 100 industrial chemicals, including dioxins and pesticides. Despite
the presence of toxic chemicals in human milk, breast feeding is a highly
desirable practice. Breast feeding gives an infant immunity against
gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory infections; it may also offer
protection against food allergies. Furthermore, the alternatives (prepared
formulas) are even less healthy. Source: Rachel’s
Hazardous Waste News #193.
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10. Breast Cancer — Over the last 20 years,
breast cancer alone has claimed more American lives than the Vietnam
war , the Korean war, World War I, and World War II combined. Cancer
mortality has risen from 5% of American deaths a hundred years ago to
25% today. Overall lifetime cancer rates for Americans have risen from
one in four people in 1960 to 1 in 2 for men and more than 1 in 3 for
women. When so many petroleum products and derivatives are known carcinogens,
it’s hard not to see a connection.
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11. Lungs — Every year over 5,500 people in
the US die from asthma. Children are particularly susceptible. Asthma,
like many environmental health problems, disproportionately affects
minority and low-income communities; rates are more than 21% higher
among African-Americans than among whites. And the incidence of the
disease is doubling every ten to fifteen years. This rise can be traced
to increased environmental pollution, from both household sources and
industrial and motor vehicle pollution. An extensive body of studies
has found strong associations between asthma and other respiratory health
concerns and direct exposure to motor vehicle pollution resulting from
residing or attending school near major roads with high traffic levels.
Also implicated are the plastics and other petroleum products used in
homes and buildings, such as carpeting and insulation. The “outgassing”
of plastics used in building products creates serious indoor air quality
issues which are known to cause increases in asthma and other serious
allergic reactions. Source: Environmental
Health Perspectives.
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12. Clothing — Clothing made from synthetic
fibers such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester, and coated with formaldehyde
finishes, will continuously give off minute plastic vapors as the fabric
is warmed against your skins (outgas), causing unknown effects as well
as known ones: commonly allergies and breathing troubles. Cotton grown
for clothing uses enormous amounts of pesticides and petrochemicals
and may be just as hazardous to wear as synthetics. Try picking clothing
made from organic cotton, hemp, or tensel, as well as purchasing reused
clothing, which may outgas less.
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13. Body Fat — Petrochemicals tend to accumulate
in body fat. The most notorious petrochemical in body fat is polystyrene;
studies have shown that virtually all people in the United States carry
polystyrene in their body fat. The International Agency for the Research
on Cancer has classified styrene as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
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14. Fetal Development — The petrochemicals that
are so pervasive in our environment have especially adverse effects
on rapidly growing fetuses and infants. Laboratory animals exposed prenatlly
to one form of dioxin displayed physical deformities, retarded growth,
and changes in physiology. Adverse effects on learning and behavior
were also evident.
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15. Hormone Function and Endocrine Disruption —
Many plastics and other petroleum products mimic the effects of natural
hormones in the body, disrupting normal hormone function. Many of the
most studied synthetic hormone disruptors are known as xenoestrogens,
because they mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Xenoestrogens
come from factories, not food. But they wind up in food because they
get into the environment, where toxic organic pollutants like DDT can
persist for more than 50 years. Even pesticides banned in the US can
wend their way back to our homes by way of imported fruits, vegetables,
and flowers. Xenoestrogens can also be encountered in items of everyday
use - gasoline, weed killers, even some plastics.
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16. Tampons and Sanitary Pads – Commonly made
from synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, tampons and pads can outgas
harmful chemicals and because they’re also usually bleached, they
contain dioxins. Traces of the dioxin TCDD – possibly the most
toxic chemical ever produced - has been found in tampons and is a known
carcinogen. It’s also known to cause birth defects and sterility
as well as liver damage and suppression of the immune system. Plus,
it can be absorbed easily through the skin. The alternative: For thousands
of years women have used rags. Today’s alternatives also include
organic, bleach-free cotton tampons and natural latex “Keepers.”
Source: Home Safe Home
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17. Low and Poor Sperm Quality in Men — Men
exposed to pesticides commonly used on crops are far more likely to
have defective sperm and low sperm counts than men who are not exposed.
This is even true for men who do not work on or live next to farms but
are likeley exposed to pesticides in drinking water. Source: Environmental
Health Perspectives.
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Sources / Resources
Rachel’s Environment
and Health News, www.rachel.org
Environmental Health Perspectives,
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/
Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org
Health Care Without Harm, www.hcwh.org
Home Safe Home, Debra Lynn Dadd, (Penguin Putnam, 1997)
Women’s Cancer Resource Center,
www.wcrc.org
www.mindfully.org (extensive
information on health and toxics)
Maps courtesy of The Ecology Center - Berkeley, California
