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Published on Leave a comment on Another Widely Used Pesticide Is Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

Yikes! While writing the last post, I came across a recent study of another pesticide linked with the development of Parkinson's disease. While the weed killer paraquat has long been linked to Parkinson's disease, certain other pesticides are also linked - such as chlorpyrifos.

Chlorpyrifos is a widely used insecticide in agriculture. While now banned for household use, homeowners used to use it (e.g., in the product Raid) for insect control for many years.

The study researchers (at the medical school at UCLA) found that long-term residential exposure to chlorpyrifos is associated with more than a 2.5 times increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. They studied humans, mice, and zebrafish to reach their conclusions. They found that chlorpyrifos damages dopamine-producing brain cells - which are the same cells damaged in Parkinson's disease.

From Medical Xpress: Widely used pesticide linked to more than doubled Parkinson's risk

A new study from UCLA Health has found that long-term residential exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos is associated with more than a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. ...continue reading "Another Widely Used Pesticide Is Linked to Parkinson’s Disease"

Published on Leave a comment on The Link Between Parkinson’s Disease and the Pesticide Paraquat

Once again, a pesticide banned in many other countries due to its harmful effects on humans and the environment, is allowed to be used in the US. The incredibly dangerous pesticide paraquat is banned in more than 70 countries, including China (where it is made), but not the US. Paraquat (paraquat dichloride) is a highly toxic weed killer used by farmers.

Many studies and farmers themselves report that paraquat causes Parkinson's disease. Currently there are thousands of lawsuits against Syngenta, the manufacturer, and Chevron USA (the seller). [NOTE: Of course Syngenta denies any link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson's disease.] The US Geological Survey reports that between 11 million and 17 million pounds of paraquat are sprayed annually on American farms. But here's the crazy part: use of the pesticide in the US is increasing annually. WTH?

By the way, Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world, with about 90,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the US. A number of pesticides are linked with the increase, with the link between paraquat and Parkinson's disease known since the 1980s (by research done by independent researchers). Evidence is growing that it's not just direct exposure (contact with it), but also chronic low level exposure that is linked to Parkinson's disease (e.g., living near a farm - thus inhalation of low levels in the air).

What will it take to ban the use of paraquat in the US? (Yes, there are alternatives to paraquat.) Doesn't look likely in the near future. In fact, the chemical/pesticide industry is trying to pass state and federal laws that would protect pesticide manufacturers from liability.

Excerpts from an investigative piece. From nj.com news: Thousands of U.S. farmers have Parkinson’s. They blame a deadly pesticide.

Paul Friday remembers when his hand started flopping in the cold weather – the first sign nerve cells in his brain were dying.

He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a brain disease that gets worse over time. His limbs got stiffer. He struggled to walk. He couldn’t keep living on his family farm. Shortly afterward, Friday came to believe that decades of spraying a pesticide called paraquat at his peach orchard in southwestern Michigan may be the culprit.

...continue reading "The Link Between Parkinson’s Disease and the Pesticide Paraquat"

Published on Leave a comment on High Fat Cheese and Lower Risk of Dementia

Great news for cheese lovers! A recent study found regularly eating full-fat (high-fat) cheese and cream was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. Some examples of full-fat cheese include cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, Brie, Gouda, Provolone, Colby, Havarti, Mozzarella (full-fat), and cream cheese.

This was a long-running study (27,670 persons for 25 years) conducted in Sweden. High-fat cream and cheese consumption was inversely associated with dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia. Eating more than 50 grams (about 1/3 cup or 2 slices) of full-fat cheese per day was associated with a 13% to 17% lower risk of Alzheimer's, and more than 20 grams (about 1 1/2 tablespoons) of full-fat cream was linked to a 16% lower risk of dementia overall.

However, consumption of low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, milk (low or high fat), and butter showed no association with dementia.

From Science Daily: Study links full-fat cheese to lower dementia risk

...continue reading "High Fat Cheese and Lower Risk of Dementia"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticide Exposure Greater In Conventional Farmers Than Organic Farmers

It turns out that wearing silicone wristbands is a great way to measure a person's exposure to pesticides that are inhaled or absorbed in the skin - whether you are  farmer, living near pesticide treated farm fields, a pet owner, or a member of the general population (consumer). Another source of pesticides is food and water, but the silicone wristbands don't measure that.

A recent European study, using the silicone wristbands, found that conventional (non-organic) farmers are exposed to the greatest number and concentration of pesticides, followed by organic farmers and farm neighbors, and the fewest in ordinary consumers (the general population). The wristbands revealed that pesticide use, whether as a farmer or in the home, and having pets predicted greater pesticide exposure.

The researchers looked for the presence of 193 pesticides and found 172 of them. People are typically exposed to mixtures of pesticides. Keep in mind that many pesticides banned in the European Union are not banned in the US, and are routinely used in the US.

Pesticide use, whether as a conventional farmer or in the home, and having pets predicted a greater pesticide exposure. Organic farmers had  lower levels of pesticides, and were exposed to fewer pesticides than conventional (non-organic) farmers. This is because organic farmers are not allowed to use the many pesticides that are routinely used by conventional (non-organic) farmers.

A nice summary of the research from Beyond Pesticides: Lower Pesticide Exposure Documented For Organic Farmers, Elevated For Others

Published in Environment International, a study utilizing silicone wristbands provides a snapshot of chemical exposure in over 600 participants across 10 European countries. Using the wristbands as passive and noninvasive samplers, the researchers find that organic farmers’ wristbands contain lower pesticide levels than other groups, offering insight into the benefits of organic and disproportionate risks to farmers using chemical-intensive methods. The results further reveal prevalent environmental pesticide mixtures, in addition to highlighting exposure to current-use pesticides (CUPs) and legacy (banned) pesticides that occurs through multiple exposure routes to workers, residents, and consumers. ...continue reading "Pesticide Exposure Greater In Conventional Farmers Than Organic Farmers"

Published on Leave a comment on Flame Retardant Levels In the Body Go Down When Old Sofas Are Replaced
Upholstered sofa Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Worried about being exposed for years to sofas filled with flame retardants? The dust from the foam in these sofas release flame retardants into the air, which then get into people's bodies. Flame retardants are linked to all sorts of health problems (cancer risk, hormone disruption, and neurodevelopmental effects). But finally, there is some good news.

A recent study found that just one year after getting rid of old flame retardant filled sofas and chairs (and replacing them with flame retardant-free furniture) resulted in a huge decline in flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the body. The levels of PBDEs declined in half in 1.4 years.

The use of use of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in foam products (e.g., the foam in upholstered furniture) is also declining in upholstered furniture, but the levels in the study participants didn't decline as much. This is perhaps because OPFRs are still used today in many other products (e.g., as a plasticizer, a coating for electronic devices, in car furnishings).

Bottom line: When buying new sofas and upholstered chairs, look for flame-retardant free furniture. A label commonly on the bottom of the furniture will tell you if they contain flame retardant chemicals or not. [NOTE: Upholstered furniture made between 1970 and 2014 probably contains flame retardants.] Also, wash hands before eating. Vacuum with a HEPA filter.

From Medical Xpress: Swapping old sofas and chairs reduces body levels of harmful flame retardants

New research led by the California Department of Public Health and partners has found that replacing foam-containing furniture made before 2014 would cut in half levels of certain harmful flame retardants in people's bodies in just over a year.

Published in Environmental Pollution, the study is the first to show measurable health benefits from California's 2014 furniture flammability standard update, which made it possible for manufacturers to comply without adding chemical flame retardants. ...continue reading "Flame Retardant Levels In the Body Go Down When Old Sofas Are Replaced"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides and Breast Cancer
Normal (left) vs cancerous breast (right), mammography image
Credit: National Cancer Institute

Many studies link pesticide exposure to the development of various cancers, including breast cancer. We tend to think of pesticide exposure as occurring when there is direct contact with the pesticide - for example during application, or when walking on lawns or areas with freshly applied pesticides. Yet... there are other routes that have been neglected in studies, such as washing pesticide contaminated clothes. 

At a recent webinar (42nd National Forum Series - The Pesticide Threat to Environmental Health), Carolina Panis, PhD, (Ass. Professor of Medicine at Western Paraná State University in Brazil, and Visiting Researcher at Harvard University and the University of Arizona) spoke about pesticide exposure in women and breast cancer.  She discussed her recent research showing that women occupationally exposed to pesticides (e.g., as farm workers) and diagnosed with breast cancer seem to have more aggressive disease, also at younger ages, than unexposed women. An increased mortality rate went along with this.

She also discussed an interesting finding regarding women living in farm areas (with heavy pesticide use) in Brazil. Not only is occupational exposure to pesticides linked to breast cancer, but additionally - women having chronic (daily) exposure are also exposed to pesticide residues when washing clothing used by someone who had applied pesticides. Laundry exposure! Women absorb pesticide residues (e.g., glyphosate, atrazine) from the pesticide contaminated clothing, which increases the amount of pesticides in their bodies and this is also linked to breast cancer.

The women she looked at lived in farming areas, and additionally many had their residences frequently sprayed for insects. Ultimately, women exposed to high levels of pesticides tend to develop metastatic untreatable breast cancer, and at a younger age (unlike other areas where breast cancer is highly treatable). She pointed out that pesticides also have a negative effect on the immune system.

From the article by C. Pannis and B. Lemos: Pesticide Exposure and Increased Breast Cancer Risk In Women Population Studies

Women in rural regions are at risk for exposure to pesticides by equipment decontamination, unprotected clothes washing, pesticide drift, chemical spraying in the field, and other routes of exposure in the household. Pesticides can act on mammary gland cells in direct and indirect ways, augmenting the risk for breast cancer development. ...continue reading "Pesticides and Breast Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides and Pediatric Cancers

Cancer is feared by all. It seems to strike randomly, but not always. Certain cancers that occur in both children and adults, such as brain cancer and leukemia, are linked with some commonly used pesticides. Exposures to these pesticides occur many ways - whether from nearby  farm use, or in foods or the water  we drink, or air (pesticide drift), or residential use (e.g., the weed killer 2,4-D on lawns). Exposure is typically not to just 1 harmful chemical, but to mixtures of pesticides, especially on farms.

Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Research shows that there is an increase in some cancers in children in farm areas (e.g., Nebraska and the US midwest) where pesticides are heavily used. A recent study by Dr. Taiba and colleagues found that in Nebraskan counties with heavy farm pesticide use (especially Holt county) children living there had an increase not just in "overall pediatric cancers", but in specific types of cancers. These cancers included brain and other central nervous system tumors, leukemia, and lymphoma.

Keep in mind that in the US millions of pounds of pesticides are used each year, with farm areas having the heaviest use. Dr. Taiba reported that the US is the #1 country in the world in pesticide use. Among the most heavily used in the Nebraskan farms are atrazine, 2,4-D, glyphosate, dicamba, paraquat.

But don't ignore residential use of pesticides. Many of the same pesticides, such as glyphosate and 2,4-D, are commonly used in residential areas, especially for weed and insect control. Feed and Weed, which is used on lawns for weed control, contains 2,4-D. Pesticides have harmful effects on humans, and yet pesticide use is increasing annually.

From Beyond Pesticides: Dire Pediatric Cancer Risk Linked to Pesticide Mixtures, Laws To Protect Children Found To Be Lax

Childhood cancers are on the rise globally; in the U.S. cancer is the second most common cause of death in children between one and 14 years old, and the fourth most common in adolescents. A recent study of Nebraska pesticide use and pediatric cancer incidence by researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences found positive associations between pesticides and overall cancer, brain and central nervous system cancers, and leukemia among children (defined as under age 20). ...continue reading "Pesticides and Pediatric Cancers"

Published on Leave a comment on Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

When looking at the research, it is striking that so many chemicals that we are exposed to daily are harming us. Health harms include an increase in certain cancers (e.g., brain cancer and leukemia from certain pesticides) and reproductive effects. This can be seen clearly when research shows that sperm counts are declining globally 2.64% per year since 2000.

A recent report from HEAL (Health and Environmental Alliance in the European Union) found that along with this, infertility rates, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer are increasing. This is alarming!

HEAL’s report (author Dr. Cannarella) details alarming indications of catastrophe in male reproductive health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, crashing sperm counts, infertility, and numerous developmental problems including cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, and hypospadias. The report highlights pesticides, microplastics, phthalates, bisphenols, PFAS and heavy metals as the likely environmental sources of the crisis. There is evidence that all of these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) adversely affect male reproductive function.

Excerpts from the latest research on the drop in sperm counts globally and declines in male reproductive health, the science report from HEAL: Chemical pollution and men’s health: A hidden crisis in Europe

A 2023 meta-analysis by Levine et al. showed that global sperm counts declined by 52% between 1973 and 2018. European countries showed similar or even steeper declines, especially in Western and Southern Europe. ...continue reading "Male Sperm Counts Continue to Decline"

Published on Leave a comment on Some Foods May Protect Us From the Harms of Too Much Sitting

We all know sitting too much is not good for our health. But for many of us, it's our reality - sit all day at work, and then come home and relax by sitting all evening. But there is some good news. A recent study found that eating foods rich in flavanols, such as cocoa,  may protect our blood vessels from the harms of too much sitting.

While the research occurred in young healthy men (with either high or low levels of fitness), all had detrimental effects in their vascular health (blood flow) after several hours of sitting. Drinking a flavanol rich cocoa drink at the beginning of a 2 hour sitting time prevented the decrease in blood flow ("sitting-induced vascular dysfunction") in both upper and lower limbs.

The researchers did point out though, that some exercise every hour, even 5 minutes of walking or climbing stairs, would have the same effect.

Flavanols are naturally occurring polyphenols found in various fruits (e.g., blueberries, apples, grapes), green and black tea, matcha, nuts, red wine, and cocoa beans. They have previously been linked to cardiovascular benefits, including support for the vascular system during psychological stress. Eating diverse flavanoid rich foods is best because there are so many types of flavanols.

From Science Daily: Cocoa and tea may protect your heart from the hidden damage of sitting

New findings from the University of Birmingham suggest that regularly eating foods rich in flavanols, including tea, berries, apples, and cocoa, may help protect men's blood vessels from the negative effects that occur during long periods of sitting. ...continue reading "Some Foods May Protect Us From the Harms of Too Much Sitting"