Read Online Whole-Food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors by Edward Bauman - Free Book Online
Authors: Edward Bauman
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trihalomethanes (THMs). Chloroform is one of the better-known THMs, all of which are carcinogenic even in small amounts, as noted two decades ago when the American Journal of Public Health published a report (Morris et al.) showing a 15 to 35 percent increase in certain types of cancer among people who drink chlorinated water.
Acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound that is formed when carbohydrates are fried at high temperatures (think French fries, doughnuts, potato chips), is also a by-product of the disinfection process, where it plays a part in the removal of solids from source water (EPA 2005).
In 2009 the EWG disclosed that more than 260 contaminants had been detected in tap water samples, 53 of which were linked to cancer.
Hitting the Bottle
In response to fears about tap water, we have turned to bottled water as our reprieve for contaminated water and as a convenient alternative to commercial beverage choices when we’re away from home. But, as lax as the EPA has been about tap water, the federal regulations for bottled water are even looser concerning testing for microbial agents and mandated disinfection. What’s more, when plastic water bottles get hot, compounds in the plastic (also known as phthalates ) can leach into the water, creating a high dose of xenoestrogens (chemical estrogenic compounds).
Tips for Safe Water
Don’t worry; there are ways to make your drinking water safe and healthy. But to make an informed decision about the right water-treatment system for your home, you must know what is in your water.
You can start by calling your water supplier or health department and requesting copies of water quality reports. Find out how often the water is tested, what it is tested for, and whether any violations are on file. You can also find out about any known hazards, such as lead, that might get into the water between the treatment plant and your tap. The best filter is inadequate if it doesn’t filter out the right substances. Filters that have been independently certified to remove particular contaminants are your best bets. NSF International (nsf.org) is probably the best-known organization for setting standards for water filters and certifying them.
Carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, and water ionizers all have different benefits and disadvantages, and range widely in price. When you are ready to buy, it is best to consult with an independent professional who can help you decide what’s right for you based on an assessment of your tap water, your health concerns, and your budget. You might also consider buying a showerhead filter, because many contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in steam.
For a compendium of excellent information on both municipal water and well water, you can also consult the consumer information about water on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website: water.epa .gov/drink/info/.
Pesticides
Pesticides are used to kill crop-destroying insects, while herbicides are used to kill undesirable plants, which means that both are intentionally toxic. Although pesticide use has doubled every ten years since 1945, the pesticides themselves are less successful at eradicating pests today than they were then (Crinnion 2000). Thus, more and more of them are needed to achieve their goal.
Ongoing research continues to detect new hazards in pesticides, often at doses once declared nontoxic by their manufacturers and the government. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), a useful but hazardous pesticide with far-reaching health effects, was proclaimed to be safe until its use was prohibited in 1972. DDT and other organochlorine pesticides are still so pervasive that they have secured the unglamorous designation persistent organic pollutants (POPs), meaning that they persist for decades in soil, air, and water. All animals, including humans, that eat, drink, and breathe these pollutants store them in their fat.
Connections between breast cancer and
Acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound that is formed when carbohydrates are fried at high temperatures (think French fries, doughnuts, potato chips), is also a by-product of the disinfection process, where it plays a part in the removal of solids from source water (EPA 2005).
In 2009 the EWG disclosed that more than 260 contaminants had been detected in tap water samples, 53 of which were linked to cancer.
Hitting the Bottle
In response to fears about tap water, we have turned to bottled water as our reprieve for contaminated water and as a convenient alternative to commercial beverage choices when we’re away from home. But, as lax as the EPA has been about tap water, the federal regulations for bottled water are even looser concerning testing for microbial agents and mandated disinfection. What’s more, when plastic water bottles get hot, compounds in the plastic (also known as phthalates ) can leach into the water, creating a high dose of xenoestrogens (chemical estrogenic compounds).
Tips for Safe Water
Don’t worry; there are ways to make your drinking water safe and healthy. But to make an informed decision about the right water-treatment system for your home, you must know what is in your water.
You can start by calling your water supplier or health department and requesting copies of water quality reports. Find out how often the water is tested, what it is tested for, and whether any violations are on file. You can also find out about any known hazards, such as lead, that might get into the water between the treatment plant and your tap. The best filter is inadequate if it doesn’t filter out the right substances. Filters that have been independently certified to remove particular contaminants are your best bets. NSF International (nsf.org) is probably the best-known organization for setting standards for water filters and certifying them.
Carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, and water ionizers all have different benefits and disadvantages, and range widely in price. When you are ready to buy, it is best to consult with an independent professional who can help you decide what’s right for you based on an assessment of your tap water, your health concerns, and your budget. You might also consider buying a showerhead filter, because many contaminants can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in steam.
For a compendium of excellent information on both municipal water and well water, you can also consult the consumer information about water on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website: water.epa .gov/drink/info/.
Pesticides
Pesticides are used to kill crop-destroying insects, while herbicides are used to kill undesirable plants, which means that both are intentionally toxic. Although pesticide use has doubled every ten years since 1945, the pesticides themselves are less successful at eradicating pests today than they were then (Crinnion 2000). Thus, more and more of them are needed to achieve their goal.
Ongoing research continues to detect new hazards in pesticides, often at doses once declared nontoxic by their manufacturers and the government. DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), a useful but hazardous pesticide with far-reaching health effects, was proclaimed to be safe until its use was prohibited in 1972. DDT and other organochlorine pesticides are still so pervasive that they have secured the unglamorous designation persistent organic pollutants (POPs), meaning that they persist for decades in soil, air, and water. All animals, including humans, that eat, drink, and breathe these pollutants store them in their fat.
Connections between breast cancer and
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