Ken Cook, co-founder of the Environmental Working Group (EWG), gave a lecture entitled “10 Americans”, in which he presented the disturbing findings related to the 413 toxic chemicals tested in the blood of 10 Americans. Of those 413 chemicals, an average of 287 were found - 47 of these substances were consumer product ingredients and 212 were industrial chemicals and pesticides, many of which have been banned for over 30 years. These 10 Americans were not previously exposed to air pollution, water, industry, farming, or food toxins, because they were in their mother’s womb. They were fetuses and they had already been exposed to almost 300 chemicals before they were even born. This is some pretty eyeopening information.

Studies done on these chemicals have shown that of the 272 substances found in the umbilical cord:

  • 134 are carcinogenic
  • 151 can cause birth defects
  • 154 are endocrine disruptors
  • 186 can cause infertility
  • 130 can be toxic to the immune system
  • 158 are neurotoxic

For sure, these toxins affect our current statistics:

  • 84% increase in acute lymphocytic leukemia in children from 1975 to 2002.
  • Hypospadiasis (a congenital birth defect in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside instead of the end of the penis) has doubled to 1 out of every 200 babies.
  • 57% increase in childhood brain cancer from 1975 to 2002.
  • Autism rates are reaching 1 in 150 children.
  • 1 in 99 children has ADD or ADHD
  • Asthma has increased from 3.6% to 9.4% from 1980 to 2006.
  • 7.3 million American couples have infertility problems.
  • Male sperm count has decreased by 20% in the past 20 years.
  • 1 in 8 women develops breast cancer.
  • 1 of every 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime.
  • 1 of every 2 men will develop cancer in their lifetime.

So what should we do? Here is something you can start doing today:

  • Buy organic
  • Eat low mercury fish
  • Filter your tap water
  • Use stainless steel cookware
  • Shop smart for personal care products
  • Use safe cleaners
  • Implement a personalized detoxification program addressing your specific toxic burden