Skip to content

Category: healthy living

Published on Leave a comment on Study Finds Young Children Are Exposed To A Wide Variety of Pesticides

Most children in the US are exposed to a wide variety of pesticides, both prenatally and after birth. Pesticides and their residues are in foods, water, rain, fog, interiors of many homes,  gardens, lawns, workplaces, farms - basically everywhere. A recent study of children found that an average of 31 pesticides were found in the urine of each child (infants and toddlers).

In the study 438 urine samples collected from 187 children were analyzed for the presence of pesticide residues. A total of 215 pesticides were identified in the urine samples, with 51 pesticides detected in at least 20% of the samples. Sixteen pesticides were identified as highly detected ones - they were found in over 60% of the samples. On average, there were 31 pesticides per child  - with children ranging from 21 to 50 compounds per sample.

At this time, it is unknown what constant low level exposure to mixtures of pesticides does to a person long-term, but studies done so far are finding harmful health effects. Children are especially vulnerable to pesticides. Unfortunately, when the EPA looks at pesticide exposure, it only looks at one pesticide at a time - not at mixtures.

Health effects: Some pesticides are more hazardous than others, including effects such as endocrine disrupting effects, neurological damage, reproductive effects, and increased risk of cancer. Many scientists suspect that chronic low-level pesticide exposure may even be contributing to the year by year drop in sperm numbers and fertility problems.

Bottom line: Try to lower pesticide exposure by eating organic foods, not using pesticides routinely in yards and in homes (instead use organic products or least toxic IPM), and avoiding antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-odor products. [More tips.]

From Environmental Health News (EHN): Pesticide exposure widespread in U.S. children

A recent study published in Environment and Health found that young children are exposed to a wide range of pesticides during key periods of growth and development. ...continue reading "Study Finds Young Children Are Exposed To A Wide Variety of Pesticides"

Published on Leave a comment on After Embassy Air Pollution Monitors Were Dismantled, Air Pollution Increased

It shouldn't be a surprise, but after the US stopped air pollution monitoring at its embassy sites around the world in early 2025 - air pollution in those areas jumped.

Researchers reported a 24 to 33% jump in air pollution within months, according to satellite measurements.

The program measuring air quality was started in 2008, when  the US government installed air pollution monitors at more than 80 embassies and consulates worldwide. Air quality results were made public. Research found that this led to a significant improvement in air quality at those sites. This was especially important for poor and middle-income countries that had limited resources for air quality monitoring.

Many studies find many health benefits (especially for the heart, lungs, and brain) when people breathe cleaner air, and increased early death rates when air quality is poor.

If there is no information about the air pollution in an area, then there is no problem. After all, it costs industries money to have pollution controls. Pollute away! As we all know, ignorance is bliss.

From NPR - Air pollution spiked after the Trump administration stopped embassy monitoring

Growing up in Shanghai in the early 1990s, Eric Zou remembers the air. "I lived a couple of miles next to a chemical plant and it was just really bad, really foggy," he says. "It's the middle of the day, but you can't see the sun."

Intensive industrial activity blanketed many cities in China during the 1990s and 2000s with extremely hazardous air. But Zou, now an environmental economist at the University of Michigan, says that many people didn't really understand this smog as air pollution, or something that could harm them.

"When you have a big smog event, people often talk about that as fog, they think it was just like bad weather," says Zou. One big key to changing that sentiment, he says, was information initially provided by the United States. ...continue reading "After Embassy Air Pollution Monitors Were Dismantled, Air Pollution Increased"

Published on Leave a comment on A Gel Is Being Developed to Regrow Tooth Enamel
Human teeth Credit: Wikipedia

Imagine that instead of drilling and filling cavities at the dentist, a gel could be applied to the damaged tooth and it would rebuild new tooth enamel. A new product is in development to do just that!

Scientists at the School of Pharmacy, Univ. of Nottingham are developing a gel that is applied to a tooth with weakened or damaged tooth enamel, and which draws calcium from saliva to grow a new mineral layer. It's not exactly tooth enamel, but it does closely match healthy tooth enamel and so far appears to withstand the stressors that healthy teeth are exposed to (e.g., chewing, acidic foods, tooth brushing).

Stay tuned for developments!

From Science News: Goodbye, cavities? New gel could regrow tooth enamel

A newly developed dental gel may be able to rebuild damaged tooth enamel, potentially creating a new approach to preventing decay and restoring worn teeth. ...continue reading "A Gel Is Being Developed to Regrow Tooth Enamel"

Published on Leave a comment on Combining Diet and Exercise Can Result in Type 2 Diabetes Remission

Over the years a number of studies have shown that intense dieting with weight loss can reverse type 2 diabetes. Another recent study came up with similar results. This time a study found that slightly more than half of persons following a low-calorie diet and an exercise program (aerobic and resistance exercise) reversed their type 2 diabetes within 12 weeks.

All the participants were between 8 to 45 years, and had an early onset type 2 diabetes diagnosis within the past 6 years. Such early onset type 2 diabetes typically means a high lifetime risk of complications. The participants were randomly assigned to either a control group that received general standard care, or the exercise and diet group.

The diet-exercise group followed a low-calorie diet (800 to 900 calories per day) for 12 weeks. During that time they also had a supervised hour of exercise (both aerobic, resistance) 2 times per week and once per week independent exercise. Between 13 to 24 weeks they followed a weight-maintenance diet and exercised independently.

Total weight loss was about 18.5 pounds in the diet-exercise group, but only 2.6 pounds in the control group. At the end of 24 weeks 54% of the diet-exercise were in type 2 diabetes remission, but only 4% of the control group.

The researchers demonstrated that having the participants follow the exercise program meant that they maintained muscle mass during the weight loss period. This showed that mass and muscle preservation is achievable with rapid weight loss -  a problem that typically occurs during rapid weight loss.

Bottom line: Following a low calorie diet and exercising, with resultant weight loss, can reverse type 2 diabetes. Not always, but for most it can.

From Medical Xpress: Low-calorie diet and exercise put early-onset type 2 diabetes in remission for 54% of participants

New research presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2) and appearing in The Lancet Regional Health Americas journal shows that in people who have developed early-onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) (aged under 45 years), around half these T2D cases can be reversed with a low-energy diet combined with a structured exercise program. ...continue reading "Combining Diet and Exercise Can Result in Type 2 Diabetes Remission"

Published on Leave a comment on Measles Infections Keep Rising Rapidly In Pennsylvania
Measles rash Credit: CDC

The US is now in the middle of a measles outbreak, with Pennsylvania currently experiencing the most cases. The Pennsylvania Department of Health said that as of October 16, there have  been 1260 documented cases of measles and 5 deaths from measles in Pennsylvania this year, with a 6th death being investigated.

They also report that fewer than 1% of the cases had been vaccinated, and 33% were under 18 years old. Almost all of the cases occurred since April 2026. They additionally report that 9589 doses of the measles vaccine (MMR) have been given this year. Two doses aof the vaccine are needed for protection.

Bottom line: Get vaccinated! Especially scary complications of measles, which can be long-term, are death (about 1 to 3 out of every 1000 measles cases in children), and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) in about 1 out of every 1000 measles cases in children.

Excerpts from Oct. 13, 2026 in The Guardian: Pennsylvania announces sixth death in measles outbreak as case numbers rise

A sixth death has been announced in Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak, as new figures show cases in the state have risen above 1,100. ...continue reading "Measles Infections Keep Rising Rapidly In Pennsylvania"

Published on Leave a comment on Almost 500 Chemicals In Pesticide Products Linked to Breast Cancer

Women are concerned about breast cancer, especially with the cancer rates increasing each year. Many wonder if chemicals in the environment are contributing to breast cancer incidence, and whether there are ways to prevent breast cancer.

A recent study looked at 920 chemicals that can increase breast cancer risk, and  found that exposure to breast cancer promoting chemicals is everywhere. The researchers found that 485 chemicals used in pesticide products, including common consumer goods (e.g., insect repellents, sanitizing products), are linked to breast cancer. Additionally, about 462 of the chemicals have been detected in food, 162 in drinking water, 142 in pharmaceuticals, and 106 in building (construction) materials.

The breast cancer chemical list includes both active ingredients found in pesticides and inert ingredients (which typically are not listed on labels, but can be just as harmful). It includes pesticides used in conventional (non-organic) farming, in outdoor lawn and garden pesticides, pesticides meant for indoor use, lice treatments for children and adults, and flea and tick treatments on pets.

Keep in mind that pesticides applied to crops leave residues, which means they eventually wind up in the foods we eat. And yes, this is why most Americans have detectable pesticides in their bodies (typically blood and urine is tested as part of biomonitoring).

In case you're wondering, the US EPA is not doing a good a job of regulating pesticides and protecting residents of the US - due to persons from the chemical industry or with ties to the pesticide industry (e.g., industry lobbyists) in EPA leadership. And also because laws protecting us have been significantly weakened in the last few years.

Some pesticides banned throughout much of the world (due to their health and environmental risks) are heavily used in the U.S. Noted examples: Atrazine (over 76 million pounds used annually in the US) and paraquat (over 10 million pounds used annually in US).

Bottom line: Try to buy and eat untreated or organic foods. Use unscented or fragrance-free products whenever possible (whether personal care products or cleaning products). Try to avoid using products that say they are "antimicrobial" or "antibacterial". Use least-toxic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or organic pest control (whether for insects or weeds) both indoors and outdoors.

From The Guardian: New research finds 485 chemicals in US pesticide products linked to breast cancer

New research has identified at least 485 chemicals used in US pesticide products that are linked to breast cancer, raising questions about the safety of food and other products at a time when early onset breast cancer rates are surging worldwide. ...continue reading "Almost 500 Chemicals In Pesticide Products Linked to Breast Cancer"

Published on Leave a comment on Drinking Orange Juice Daily Has Health Benefits

Many of us drink a daily glass of orange juice thinking it is healthy for us and because it contains vitamin C. But is that true?

While some in the medical field view orange juice as basically orange-flavored sugar in a glass, others find orange juice to be a healthy beverage - one that is linked to a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

A recent study found that there are numerous health benefits from drinking  orange juice daily. Regular consumption can influence the activity of thousands of genes in our immune cells - genes that help control blood pressure, improve inflammation, metabolism, and blood sugar control. Studies have also found improvements in cholesterol and blood vessel health - thus influencing long-term heart health.

How much orange juice to drink for health benefits? One cup of pure pasteurized orange juice daily should be sufficient. Note that in the study, adults drank 500 ml (2 cups) of pure pasteurized orange juice for 2 months. After 60 days, many genes associated with inflammation and higher blood pressure became less active.

From Science Daily: Drinking orange juice every day may change thousands of genes

Most of us think of orange juice as a simple breakfast habit, something you pour without much thought. Yet scientists are discovering that this everyday drink may be doing far more in the body than quenching thirst. ...continue reading "Drinking Orange Juice Daily Has Health Benefits"

Published on Leave a comment on Scented Cleaning Products, Nanoparticles, and Your Lungs
Human lungs Credit: Wikipedia

It has long been known that fragrances or scents in products used indoors (e.g.,  in cleaning products, air fresheners, personal care products) are a source of indoor air pollution due to the chemicals in the fragrances. But it turns out that there is another reason to avoid scented cleaning products - they produce nanoparticles that are inhaled deep into the lungs.

A small study found that fragrances in scented cleaning products (both conventional and essential oil or botanical cleaning products) emit small ultrafine particles called nanoparticles that travel deep into a person's lungs within minutes.  This is because chemicals in the scented cleaning products quickly react with ozone indoors. The inhaled particle dose can sometimes be equivalent to or greater than standing near heavy traffic! This is invisible air pollution - we can not see the nanoparticles, but they get deep into the lungs.

Bottom line: Choose unscented cleaning products. Also, use exhaust fans when cleaning, and open windows for a short while to improve ventilation.

From Science Daily: That fresh cleaning smell could be filling your home with nanoparticles

A room that smells like citrus, pine, or flowers is often associated with cleanliness. Those familiar scents, however, can signal chemical reactions taking place in the air. ...continue reading "Scented Cleaning Products, Nanoparticles, and Your Lungs"

Published on Leave a comment on Seven Solvents Used In Workplaces and Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists have been stating for years that most Parkinson's disease cases are from exposure to environmental toxins, such as certain pesticides (e.g., paraquat) and certain chemicals used in manufacturing (e.g., trichloroethylene).

A recent study presented at the 2026 International Congress of Parkinson's Disease found that occupational exposure to seven solvents used in workplaces increased the odds of developing Parkinson's disease, with the risk increasing with exposure to more of the different solvent types.

The solvents associated with the greatest risk of Parkinson's disease were: kerosene, TCE (trichloroethylene), and carbon tetrachloride. After that was exposure to mineral spirits, methyl ethyl ketone, jet fuel, and toluene.

Excerpts from Medscape: Seven Workplace Solvents Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

Occupational exposure to specific solvents is linked to increased odds of Parkinson’s disease (PD), with the risk increasing as the number of solvent types rise. ...continue reading "Seven Solvents Used In Workplaces and Parkinson’s Disease"

Published on Leave a comment on Pesticides and Men’s Reproductive Health
Human sperm Credit: Wikipedia

A recent study reviewed health effects from pesticide exposure in men. The review of studies on this issue found many adverse health effects from pesticides, including harmful effects on sperm, semen quality, infertility, and other reproductive problems. In other words: male reproductive dysfunction.

Of course, the more exposure, the more problems. And certain types of pesticides have greater effects, including organophosphates (e.g., chlorpyrifos) and carbamates. Unfortunately, the US EPA disregards these reproductive health effects.

Even though study after study finds harmful effects from pesticide exposure, it doesn't seem to be having an impact on use. Billions of pounds of pesticides are applied globally. And residential use (lawn and garden pesticides) continues to be very high.

In fact, recently I've been seeing both homeowner and professional pesticide applications on lawns with one hand holding the pesticide sprayer and the other hand looking at and holding a phone! And no gloves. Yikes! Do they not understand that they are absorbing the chemicals and that there are health effects?

From Beyond Pesticides: Literature Review Captures Science On Adverse Health Effects in Men With Pesticide Exposure 

A review published in Annual Research & Review in Biology, titled “Pesticide and Herbicide Exposure and Male Reproductive Health: A Critical Narrative Review of Semen Quality, Sperm Genomic Integrity and Mechanistic Evidence,” highlights the current scientific literature linking pesticides to adverse reproductive effects in men. ...continue reading "Pesticides and Men’s Reproductive Health"