Toxin Fast Facts
- There are an estimated 35,000 chemicals used in Canada, including thousands of chemicals in our air, food, cosmetics and consumer goods.
- ‘National Geographic’ studies report that humans contribute 700,000 pollutants in the air every day.
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In 2006, a Canadian non-profit called Environmental Defence found 46 of 68 chemicals in 13 Canadian children and adults in a cross-country study. Chemicals included DDT, PCBs, stain repellents, flame retardants, mercury and lead.
(Source: http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/home.php) - Sweden banned the use of flame retardants after rising levels were found in the breast milk of women.
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A US study found an average of 200 contaminants in the blood from the umbilical cords of 10 newborn babies; many were carcinogens, developmental toxins and neurotoxins.
(Source: Environmental Working Group in Washington, DC) -
Japanese researchers found that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) – used in metal food cans, polycarbonate plastic bottles and plastic food wrap – causes a 1,300% fat increase when combined with insulin. Insulin is stimulated by eating refined carbohydrates.
(Source: study in the Journal of Lipid Research 2002)