With industrialization in urban areas, the increase in environmental toxins is prevalent worldwide. Toxins are chemicals in our water, air, soil that can put us at risk for disease. Due to financial constraints, populations of color tend to live in more physically congested areas at risk for increased exposure to environmental toxins.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) notes that exposure to toxins are usually by 1) breathing in the chemical, 2) touching the chemical, 3) drinking the chemical, 4) eating the chemical, 5) getting exposure to a chemical by intravenous administration of toxic drugs, 6) or radiation exposure. The amount of the toxin that a person is exposed to and the time length of exposure, also determines the danger of the toxin to the body. Exposure to toxins can also be from contaminated animals or crops. Toxins can be from manufactured products (like plastics or Styrofoam) or natural resources (like arsenic, lead, or carbons).

Most people become more aware of toxins in their environment in the event of illness, pregnancy, or newly acquired allergies. We are exposed to toxins every day in our physical environment through the use of plastics, Styrofoam, as well as the potentially toxic fumes in our air. The most common toxin placing us at risk for disease is cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is linked to Asthma, heart and lung diseases. Toxins in our environment have been linked to Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Since we cannot completely control our environments, the only control we can successfully monitor is our self-responsibility in boosting our immune systems and awareness in our healthcare.

Tips On Preventing Exposure to Toxins

• Don’t microwave foods in plastic containers. The plastic will be absorbed in the food.
• Wear gloves as much as possible when working with house cleaners, insecticides or other chemicals. Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It immediately soaks in any chemical placed on it
• Consider smoking cessation. Smoke lingers not only in the air but on clothing
• Wash all fruits and vegetables with water or water and lemon/lime before cooking and eating (lemon is a natural detoxifier)
• Don’t keep boiling hot liquids in Styrofoam. The chemicals in the Styrofoam will be absorbed in the liquid
• Eat healthy diets with rich detoxifiers like green vegetables, citrus fruits, berries
• Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses per day

For more information on preventing disease from environmental toxins, visit The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at their website: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov