Author: Baraba Gere- Director of Y-natural.
We find that the Environmental Working group is an amazing source of independent information on a wide range of issues.
Check out www.ewg.org and you will see why we are so impressed by their work.
Recently they released a list of ways to help prevent cancer which we’d like to share with you.
Below is 9 recommendations based on Tip#13 in the EWG’s Healthy Homes page: www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/start.
You know about stopping smoking,reducing drinking,losing weight,exercising and eating right. But that is just a start.
Environmental toxins play a significant and under-recognized role in cancer,causing “grievous harm” to many people,according to a new report(1). from the U.S. President’s Cancer Panel. This is sobering in the light of research(2) by the EWG showing that babies are already polluted,before they are even born,with over two hundred hazardous chemicals that may have life long consequences.
1. Filter your tap water. Common carcinogens in tap water include arsenic,chromium, and chemical byproducts that form when water is disinfected. A simple carbon tap-mounted filter or pitcher can help reduce the levels of some of these contaminants. if your water is polluted with arsenic or chromium, a reverse osmosis filter will help.
2. Seal outdoor wooden decks and play sets. Those built before 2005 are likely coated with an arsenic pesticide that can stick to hands and clothing.
3. Cut down on stain and grease proofing chemicals. “Fluorochemicals” related to Teflon and Scotchgard are used in stain repellants on carpets and couches and in greaseproof coatings for packaged and fast food. To avoid them,avoid greasy packaged foods and say no to optional stain treatments in the home.
4. Stay safe in the sun. More then one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year. To protect your skin for the sun’s cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) radiation,seek shade,wear protective clothing and use a safe and effective sunscreen.
5. Cut down on fatty meat and high-fat dairy products. Long-lasting cancer-causing pollutants like dioxins and PCB’s accumulate in the food chain and concentrate in animal fat.
6 Many pesticides have been linked to cancer. Eating organic fruits and vegetables will cut down your pesticide exposure.
7. Cut your exposure to BPA. Bisphenol A ( BPA) is a synthetic estrogen found in some hard plastic water bottles,canned infant formula, and canned foods. Some of these chemical cause cancer in lab studies. To avoid them,eat fewer canned foods,breast feed your baby or use powdered formula, and choose water bottles free of BPA.
8. Avoid carcinogens in cosmetics. Read labels when you are shopping,don’t buy products that list ingredients with “PEG” or “-eth” in their name.
9. Read the warnings. Some products list warnings of cancer risk – read the label before you buy.
1.http://deinfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp.htm
2.http://www.ewg.org/minoritycordblood/home
