At Home & Work
If possible, choose to live in a community where you can commute to work or school, and can run your errands, on foot or by bicycle. While doing so, avoid heavily trafficked roads.
Avoid living close to or downstream/downwind of nuclear power plants, garbage dumps, hazardous waste sites, industrial facilities and incinerators. If an incinerator is proposed for an area close to where you want to live, educate yourself about it.
Do all that you can to minimize your garbage output, as disposal and particularly incineration, lead to diverse environmental impacts that can increase cancer risks.
Do your research before moving into a new neighborhood. Look at its history and any proposed plans. For example, living on a former industrial site, a municipal dump, gas station or dry cleaner could expose you to diverse and harmful chemicals, including carcinogens such as benzene. Depending upon the contaminants involved, low-level persistent toxic exposures from soil (including tracked-in dirt), children's hand-to-mouth behaviors, homegrown foods and vapor intrusion into basements, may pose health risks. The municipality, land registry office, historical maps and your real estate broker are all good sources of information as to past and proposed land uses.
Avoid living close to or downstream/downwind of dry cleaning facilities that could expose you to perchlorethylene (PERC) fumes. PERC is a probable human carcinogen that may be emitted from facilities or contaminate soil. PERC fumes may also infiltrate foundations and basements of nearby buildings.
Well-treed areas are normally healthier than "concrete jungles." They are generally cleaner, cooler in the summer, and even have a lower crime rate. Try to live close to, and regularly enjoy, natural areas.
If you are looking for an apartment or condominium, talk to the building manager about pest control practices. It is better to rely upon sanitation and least-toxic strategies, rather than spraying toxic pesticides. If your building has an infestation of pests, explore and advocate for least-toxic strategies for their control and removal.
AIRBORNE TOXINS
Don't smoke and avoid second hand smoke. Smoke contains small particles that penetrate deep into lung tissues, as well as benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and numerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals are all carcinogens, with numerous other adverse health effects as well.
Avoid gas fumes when filling up. Chemicals in the gas fumes include benzene, 1,3-butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - all of which are known to cause cancer, as well as other conditions such as birth defects, neurotoxicity, liver damage and lung diseases. Use the auto fill feature and walk away from the pump.
Runners in polluted cities breathe in more toxins than non-runners, resulting in a higher risk of lung cancer and other health problems. To minimize exposure to air pollutants, check air quality online, jog early in the morning before rush hour, use a mask containing activated carbon, or run indoors on a treadmill in an atmosphere with fresh or filtered air.
Biking is great exercise, and reduces vehicle emissions that contribute to cancer as well as global warming. To minimize exposure to air pollutants, bicycle commuters can choose routes away from traffic, commute early to avoid rush hour pollution, and/or use a mask containing activated carbon to reduce exposure.
Never use burn barrels to dispose of domestic waste, as they are a significant point source of dioxins and many other pollutants. Dioxins are carcinogenic and are very toxic chemicals.
PERSONAL
Avoid using tanning beds and sunlamps as their UV radiation is classified as a human carcinogen.
Unless you are using well water, take shorter showers and baths to limit your exposure to harmful chlorinated compounds. We are exposed to them not only dermally, but also through our lungs, when we shower or bathe.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer as estrogen, a hormone known to fuel certain forms of breast cancer, may be up to 13 times higher during an IVF cycle than normal. Educate yourself before using this treatment.
A report in the Lancet (Vol 360, p 942-4) indicates that there is a substantial increase in the risk of breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Further studies have shown links between long term HRT usage and other cancers like ovarian and colon cancer. Thoroughly research your options before using HRT.
Early and prolonged use of oral contraceptives have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Educate yourselves and choose contraceptives wisely.
Mercury is a probable carcinogen that impairs the neurological, immune and other systems in the body. Two major sources of mercury are fish consumption (choose low mercury fish) and, for people with dental amalgam fillings, the continual exposure to mercury in their mouth. Get your amalgams replaced with modern materials and ensure that your dentist follows the latest procedures to minimize mercury exposure during the amalgam removal.
Blood and lymph cancers account for as many cancers as breast and lung combined. A wide variety of environmental toxins such as toxic metals and certain pesticides, chemicals and drugs, may cause blood and lymph cancers. Be sure to keep your lymphatic system moving! This enables it to take toxins away from your cells, via the blood stream, to the liver and kidneys. Aerobic exercise, swimming, push-ups, simple arm swinging, deep breathing and lymphatic massage, are all good ways to do so.
Avoid antibiotics when possible. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that of 10,000 women who had taken antibiotics for more than 500 days during a 17-year period, there was more than twice the risk of breast cancer than those who had not taken antibiotics.
High dose and prolonged use of estrogen replacement therapies have been linked to an increase in incidence of breast cancer. Research and choose your treatments wisely, using the lowest dose and shortest duration you can tolerate.
Since about 75% of common vaccines use mercury compounds as preservatives, and since mercury is a probable carcinogen that impairs the neurological, immune and other systems in the body, do your research before getting vaccinated.
Have a natural funeral, as carcinogenic embalming fluid, with its use of cancer-causing formaldehyde, is a very unhealthy legacy to leave. Research has also shown that morticians who use formaldehyde for embalming have a far higher incidence of myeloid leukemia.
WORKPLACE
Get involved with your workplace health and safety committees to get toxic products replaced by environmentally friendly options, and to ensure worker protection from toxic workplace exposures. If you are working in an industry or a laboratory, then make sure you know about processes and products you are working with, study the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) prior to using a chemical, and ensure that the ventilation provided is appropriate. When required, use adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is not a substitute for inadequate ventilation such as extraction fans, fume hoods, etc.
If your workplace regularly exposes you to toxic materials (this includes environments where you work with rubber, plastics, cement, lead, formaldehyde, pesticides, dioxins, etc.), be sure to take precautionary measures to avoid taking in airborne or other toxicants. Consult management to ensure safe and healthy practices are in place, and improvements are implemented as they become available.
Think twice before entering into a career such as a dry cleaner, janitor, cleaner, maid, housekeeper, landscaper, pesticide handler, and other maintenance occupations. These expose people to toxic chemicals in the workplace on a daily basis.
If you work in a maintenance occupation, switch from conventional cleaners, to least-toxic products and strategies. Use only chlorine-free sanitizers and fragrance-free products. As well, do not use conventional air "fresheners" that simply mask unpleasant odors, with potentially toxic chemicals.
If you work in a salon or spa as a hairdresser, stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist or pedicurist, be sure to use non-toxic products. Most conventional solutions contain formaldehyde and many other toxic chemicals. Use only fragrance-free products and ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the workplace.
If you work as a cashier, ask management to use cash register receipts that do not contain BPA.
Avoid working with or around asbestos, as mesothelioma (cancer of the outer lining of the lung or chest cavity) is virtually exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Also, if you are renovating and there is any possibility that asbestos is in the insulation or wall treatments, use strict precautions so they are not disturbed.
Ensure that you do not take workplace toxicants home with you. Shower and change clothes at work, and wash work clothes separately. Don't expose children to chemical residues that could be present in vehicles that are used for work.
Avoid living close to or downstream/downwind of nuclear power plants, garbage dumps, hazardous waste sites, industrial facilities and incinerators. If an incinerator is proposed for an area close to where you want to live, educate yourself about it.
Do all that you can to minimize your garbage output, as disposal and particularly incineration, lead to diverse environmental impacts that can increase cancer risks.
Do your research before moving into a new neighborhood. Look at its history and any proposed plans. For example, living on a former industrial site, a municipal dump, gas station or dry cleaner could expose you to diverse and harmful chemicals, including carcinogens such as benzene. Depending upon the contaminants involved, low-level persistent toxic exposures from soil (including tracked-in dirt), children's hand-to-mouth behaviors, homegrown foods and vapor intrusion into basements, may pose health risks. The municipality, land registry office, historical maps and your real estate broker are all good sources of information as to past and proposed land uses.
Avoid living close to or downstream/downwind of dry cleaning facilities that could expose you to perchlorethylene (PERC) fumes. PERC is a probable human carcinogen that may be emitted from facilities or contaminate soil. PERC fumes may also infiltrate foundations and basements of nearby buildings.
Well-treed areas are normally healthier than "concrete jungles." They are generally cleaner, cooler in the summer, and even have a lower crime rate. Try to live close to, and regularly enjoy, natural areas.
If you are looking for an apartment or condominium, talk to the building manager about pest control practices. It is better to rely upon sanitation and least-toxic strategies, rather than spraying toxic pesticides. If your building has an infestation of pests, explore and advocate for least-toxic strategies for their control and removal.
AIRBORNE TOXINS
Don't smoke and avoid second hand smoke. Smoke contains small particles that penetrate deep into lung tissues, as well as benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and numerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals are all carcinogens, with numerous other adverse health effects as well.
Avoid gas fumes when filling up. Chemicals in the gas fumes include benzene, 1,3-butadiene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - all of which are known to cause cancer, as well as other conditions such as birth defects, neurotoxicity, liver damage and lung diseases. Use the auto fill feature and walk away from the pump.
Runners in polluted cities breathe in more toxins than non-runners, resulting in a higher risk of lung cancer and other health problems. To minimize exposure to air pollutants, check air quality online, jog early in the morning before rush hour, use a mask containing activated carbon, or run indoors on a treadmill in an atmosphere with fresh or filtered air.
Biking is great exercise, and reduces vehicle emissions that contribute to cancer as well as global warming. To minimize exposure to air pollutants, bicycle commuters can choose routes away from traffic, commute early to avoid rush hour pollution, and/or use a mask containing activated carbon to reduce exposure.
Never use burn barrels to dispose of domestic waste, as they are a significant point source of dioxins and many other pollutants. Dioxins are carcinogenic and are very toxic chemicals.
PERSONAL
Avoid using tanning beds and sunlamps as their UV radiation is classified as a human carcinogen.
Unless you are using well water, take shorter showers and baths to limit your exposure to harmful chlorinated compounds. We are exposed to them not only dermally, but also through our lungs, when we shower or bathe.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer as estrogen, a hormone known to fuel certain forms of breast cancer, may be up to 13 times higher during an IVF cycle than normal. Educate yourself before using this treatment.
A report in the Lancet (Vol 360, p 942-4) indicates that there is a substantial increase in the risk of breast cancer with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Further studies have shown links between long term HRT usage and other cancers like ovarian and colon cancer. Thoroughly research your options before using HRT.
Early and prolonged use of oral contraceptives have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Educate yourselves and choose contraceptives wisely.
Mercury is a probable carcinogen that impairs the neurological, immune and other systems in the body. Two major sources of mercury are fish consumption (choose low mercury fish) and, for people with dental amalgam fillings, the continual exposure to mercury in their mouth. Get your amalgams replaced with modern materials and ensure that your dentist follows the latest procedures to minimize mercury exposure during the amalgam removal.
Blood and lymph cancers account for as many cancers as breast and lung combined. A wide variety of environmental toxins such as toxic metals and certain pesticides, chemicals and drugs, may cause blood and lymph cancers. Be sure to keep your lymphatic system moving! This enables it to take toxins away from your cells, via the blood stream, to the liver and kidneys. Aerobic exercise, swimming, push-ups, simple arm swinging, deep breathing and lymphatic massage, are all good ways to do so.
Avoid antibiotics when possible. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that of 10,000 women who had taken antibiotics for more than 500 days during a 17-year period, there was more than twice the risk of breast cancer than those who had not taken antibiotics.
High dose and prolonged use of estrogen replacement therapies have been linked to an increase in incidence of breast cancer. Research and choose your treatments wisely, using the lowest dose and shortest duration you can tolerate.
Since about 75% of common vaccines use mercury compounds as preservatives, and since mercury is a probable carcinogen that impairs the neurological, immune and other systems in the body, do your research before getting vaccinated.
Have a natural funeral, as carcinogenic embalming fluid, with its use of cancer-causing formaldehyde, is a very unhealthy legacy to leave. Research has also shown that morticians who use formaldehyde for embalming have a far higher incidence of myeloid leukemia.
WORKPLACE
Get involved with your workplace health and safety committees to get toxic products replaced by environmentally friendly options, and to ensure worker protection from toxic workplace exposures. If you are working in an industry or a laboratory, then make sure you know about processes and products you are working with, study the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) prior to using a chemical, and ensure that the ventilation provided is appropriate. When required, use adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is not a substitute for inadequate ventilation such as extraction fans, fume hoods, etc.
If your workplace regularly exposes you to toxic materials (this includes environments where you work with rubber, plastics, cement, lead, formaldehyde, pesticides, dioxins, etc.), be sure to take precautionary measures to avoid taking in airborne or other toxicants. Consult management to ensure safe and healthy practices are in place, and improvements are implemented as they become available.
Think twice before entering into a career such as a dry cleaner, janitor, cleaner, maid, housekeeper, landscaper, pesticide handler, and other maintenance occupations. These expose people to toxic chemicals in the workplace on a daily basis.
If you work in a maintenance occupation, switch from conventional cleaners, to least-toxic products and strategies. Use only chlorine-free sanitizers and fragrance-free products. As well, do not use conventional air "fresheners" that simply mask unpleasant odors, with potentially toxic chemicals.
If you work in a salon or spa as a hairdresser, stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist or pedicurist, be sure to use non-toxic products. Most conventional solutions contain formaldehyde and many other toxic chemicals. Use only fragrance-free products and ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the workplace.
If you work as a cashier, ask management to use cash register receipts that do not contain BPA.
Avoid working with or around asbestos, as mesothelioma (cancer of the outer lining of the lung or chest cavity) is virtually exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Also, if you are renovating and there is any possibility that asbestos is in the insulation or wall treatments, use strict precautions so they are not disturbed.
Ensure that you do not take workplace toxicants home with you. Shower and change clothes at work, and wash work clothes separately. Don't expose children to chemical residues that could be present in vehicles that are used for work.
Household & Garden
AIR & GENERAL CLEANLINESS
Indoor air is typically much more polluted than outdoor air. Reduce or eliminate the sources of indoor toxins and, when the outdoor air quality is good, open the windows daily to let in the fresh air!
Go fragrance-free, as "fragrance" is a mixture of many chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Phthalates, chemicals to make the scent last longer, disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system in the body. To scent air naturally, boil cinnamon and cloves in a shallow pan or use bowls of natural potpourri. You can also use natural absorbents such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or lava rock.
Equip your home with a heat recovery ventilator to provide fresh and filtered air.
Some chemicals emitted by molds are carcinogenic, so make sure that all water leaks and drips in your home and workplace are cleaned up and fixed immediately. Any mold in your building should be sealed off until the moldy material can be safely removed and repairs completed. Safe work practices include isolation of the space, ventilation to the outdoors, personal protection, and thorough cleanup. If you have a large mold problem, it's a job for a professional.
Keep the humidity low in your basement. Throughout the year it can be cool and damp, which promotes mold growth.
House plants, such as aloe vera, English ivy, ficus benjamina (fig), and peace lily, will help remove common household carcinogens from the air, such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Avoid burning artificially scented paraffin candles as they contain numerous toxic chemicals. Imported Asian candles sometimes have neurotoxic, cancer-promoting lead in the wick (yes, this is illegal!). It is best to use beeswax candles with cotton wicks only.
Install household air filters and change them regularly. Currently, the best technology is high-efficiency particle arrester (HEPA) filtration, in combination with a carbon filter. This will remove dust, pet dander, hair, pollen, mold, mites, auto exhaust, soot particles from printers and copy machines, volatile chemicals, and cooking odors.
Leave your shoes at the door! Dirt tracked in on footwear may carry toxic intruders such as pesticides, organic pollutants, and heavy metals.
Mop floors, vacuum (preferably with a high-efficiency particle arrester (HEPA) filter), and dust surfaces with a clean, damp cloth at least twice a week, as dust is a major source of toxins.
Do not use mothballs containing naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as they are suspected human carcinogens that may damage the eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and central nervous system. Instead, use natural alternatives like cedar balls or panels, and dried marigold, lavender, citronella, and pennyroyal. yet, place clean clothing in vacuum-sealed bags for storage.
Paradichlorobenzene is a probable carcinogen found in "pucks" for diaper pails and urinals. Avoid these, and if you run across them in public places, inform management that they should not be used, as they pollute the air in the entire facility.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Replace skull and crossbones marked cleaning products with vinegar, lemon, baking soda, or salt. They are healthy, work just as well, and are much cheaper!
Avoid furniture and floor polishes containing nitrobenzene, as this chemical is associated with cancer and birth defects.
Don't use spot removers that contain toxic solvents. These products may have a skull and crossbones warning on the label. Research products that contain safer substances.
Instead of using toxic drain cleaners, try a plunger first. Alternatively, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain then add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain tightly. The resulting chemical reaction can dislodge the debris so that it can be washed down the drain. (Do not use either method after trying a commercial drain opener, as the resulting release of toxic chlorine gas can be dangerous.)
Use white distilled vinegar and water to clean your home, office or automobile. It is a mild disinfectant and cleaning eliminates many odors.
Use lemon juice and water to cut grease and polish metal.
Use baking soda for scouring tubs and other tough to clean surfaces.
Rather than furniture polish with toxic chemicals, mix olive oil and vinegar to use as a natural option. These products may have a skull and crossbones or warning about ventilation on the label.
Use only wet-clean or natural ingredients to clean carpet and upholstery. Avoid cleaners containing toxic chemicals. These cleaners may have a skull and crossbones or other warning about ventilation on the label.
As a safer alternative to harsh conventional cleaners, use white vinegar or baking soda to clean and remove stains from the toilet bowl. Peroxide bleach may be mixed with vinegar for cleaning and disinfection, but avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothes, as peroxide is a potent chemical. (Never mix chlorine or hypochlorite bleach with vinegar!)
Polish brass with a soft cloth dipped in lemon juice or a baking soda/water paste for a healthy alternative to commercial polishers.
Rather than harmful chemical cleaners, brighten gold using a soft brush or cloth and a soap solution. Commercial cleaners are often toxic.
Rather than harmful commercial cleaners, clean pewter with a soft cloth using a mixture of a pinch of salt, vinegar and flour. Use gloves as some pewter may contain lead.
To polish silver, boil it in a pan lined with aluminum foil and filled with water, to which a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt has been added. This is a safer alternative to toxic commercial polishers. Be careful, as this process does not take long. Prolonged contact with the baking soda and salt solution can harm the silver.
LAUNDRY ROOM
Avoid liquid laundry detergents and floor cleaners containing monoethanalomine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA).
Avoid commercial fabric softeners as they are made of toxic chemicals that may cause central nervous system damage, respiratory problems, and cancer. Using liquid fabric softeners also adds toxic chemicals to the waterways. Dryer sheets are no better – you breathe the chemicals that are emitted when they are heated. That "fresh-from-the-dryer" scent that fabric softeners impart to your clean laundry? Simply toxic. Instead, skip it altogether, or buy a $5 set of dryer balls, switch to a soy-based, unscented softener, or add a quarter-cup of vinegar to your wash cycle.
HOME FURNISHINGS & FINISHINGS
Avoid the use of pressure treated wood as it is typically treated with toxic chemicals. If possible, use naturally rot resistant woods such as cedar, redwood, or black locust. Older pressure treated wood, which was generally treated with chromate copper arsenate (CAA), is extremely poisonous and results in toxic smoke when burned. This smoke can poison the entire neighborhood. Use personal protection when working with pressure-treated wood.
Use certified organic fabrics for bedding, towels, curtains, and upholstered furniture. Many of these non-organic items are conventionally finished with resin to make them "wrinkle-free", but over time the resin releases formaldehyde. Other chemicals in some fabrics include brominated flame-retardants, fluorinated stain repellants, and dyes that are fixed with heavy metals.
Use cotton or hemp shower curtains. Be sure to wash them regularly to avoid potential mold build up. If you must use plastic, choose polyethylene, and never buy vinyl.
For window coverings, opt for organic fabrics, naturally finished wood shutters, louvers, or metal Venetian blinds.
Use natural wall finishes such as plaster or water-based zero or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.
Use bed frames and bath/kitchen cupboards made of wood free from toxic formaldehyde-containing glues, particleboard and chemical stains. A metal bedframe is another option.
Most conventional mattresses and pillows contain flame retardants. Cotton and wool are naturally flame retardant, so organic mattresses and pillows of these materials should not contain petrochemicals and flame retardants that may contribute to cancers. A less expensive alternative could be high quality washable covers for the mattress or pillow.
Opt for hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, or natural carpeting as synthetic carpeting may off-gas up to 120 volatile chemicals, especially in the first few months after installation. These volatile chemicals negatively affect indoor air quality. Dyes, binders, flame retardants and stain-resistant treatments in the synthetic carpets are also hazardous to your health.
Many "eco" products that are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other toxins are available at building supply and hardware stores. Use these over conventional brands, but be cautious of "greenwashing." Buyers beware, and do your homework!
KITCHEN
Do not use non-stick cookware. It uses materials that emit toxic chemicals when heated, especially at higher temperatures. Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel cookware.
Avoid cooking with copper pots and pans. Elevated levels of copper relative to zinc in your body are linked to proliferation of cancer cells and other chronic disease. Copper between the layers of steel at the bottom of the pot poses no risk.
Avoid plastic food storage containers, and never heat food or beverages in plastic containers. Use glass instead.
Avoid canned foods and drinks as the can's lining often contains bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical that may contribute to the development of cancer. Some linings for canned foods are BPA-free, and this is generally indicated on the can.
Don't use microwave ovens. Heat your food the old fashioned way: on the stove.
Avoid using hard plastic bottles as they often contain bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical that may be a carcinogen. If you must use a plastic bottle, avoid ones with the recycling symbol #7 and go for the less risky types - #1, #2, #4, and #5. Your best choice is to use glass or, for a less fragile option, use stainless steel bottles.
Install a whole house and/or a point-of-use water filtration system. Chlorine-containing chemicals are toxic, and when we shower we are exposed to them not only dermally, but also through our lungs. A reverse osmosis plus carbon filter system is perfect for the kitchen tap.
Researchers have found that children living in households that use pesticides indoors have a much higher chance of developing childhood leukemia. Sanitation and removal/repair of damp/rotting structures are the keys to minimizing indoor pests. Also, use non-toxic remedies such as Borax baits to defeat ants and skillfully placed baited traps to capture rodents.
Use unbleached paper towels, coffee filters, lunch bags, napkins, and paper plates as white paper bleached with chlorine has a residue of dioxin, a known carcinogen. As waste in the landfill, dioxin also leaches into the soil, and escapes via groundwater.
GARAGE
Most automotive supplies are toxic. Keep them away from the house and dispose of them safely at a hazardous waste disposal center.
Gasoline and motor oils all contain petroleum hydrocarbons, which are closely associated with skin and lung cancer. Limit your exposure to these toxins.
GARDEN
Promote affordable organic foods through personal and community gardens, co-ops, and advocacy.
Do not use toxic pesticides such as herbicides or insecticides in your garden. Kids and animals play in the yard. There are much safer alternatives.
Use insecticides accepted in organic gardening. These can be made from soap (diluted solution), essential oils, boric acid (for ants), or diatomaceous earth. Avoid inhaling airborne diatomaceous earth particles.
Use boric acid to treat problem ants, by sprinkling it in cracks or buying Borax bait. They take the powder back to the colony and poison it.
Rather than using conventional pesticides to eliminate lawn weeds, apply corn gluten as soon as any snow disappears. It prevents weed seeds from germinating (so be strategic in its use), and adds nitrogen to the soil. After several years of consistent application, corn gluten can provide up to 90% weed control.
Use soap and water, rather than toxic insecticides, to kill plant aphids. Rinse with water after about 10 minutes to avoid burning the leaves.
Use a manual lawn mower rather than a gas powered one. They tackle two cancer-related problems: more exercise for the pusher and no airborne pollutants for the neighborhood.
Say no to plastic grass! It's a polyethylene-polypropylene blend fashioned from fossil fuels and the rubber crumb underlay contains numerous toxic chemicals. (And what on earth is the dog supposed to do?)
Plant a tree or lots of trees! Trees keep things cool in the summer. This reduces the need for air conditioning, which in turn reduces toxic emissions from power plants. Trees also capture particulates, ozone and volatile organic air pollutants, all of which are linked to cancer and other chronic diseases. Playing in their shade could also reduce melanoma.
Use earth and body friendly treatments for your pool such as ozone, salt water, or a water conditioner/hydrogen peroxide blend. Chlorinated water produces toxic by-products.
When using the BBQ, don't use charcoal lighter fluid as it contains petroleum distillates, and some petroleum distillates contain benzene, a known human carcinogen. Charring food also creates potentially carcinogenic compounds, so consider partially pre-cooking foods with moist heat, and then grilling the food lightly.
STUDIO or HOBBY ROOM
Reduce or limit your exposure to toxic elements such as lead, chromium and cadmium in ceramic glazes, stained-glass materials, and many pigments, including acrylic and oil paints.
Hobby paints can contain many toxic and carcinogenic materials such as chromium, manganese dioxide, cobalt, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. To reduce your exposure to these harmful substances, wear a fitted mask with carbon canisters and be sure that the room is well ventilated, or use them outdoors. Water-based paints (zero-VOC or low-VOC) are also alternatives. Depending on the task, nitrile gloves would also be recommended.
Spray adhesives contain harmful petroleum distillates and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using them outside is highly recommended, if feasible. When using these harmful products, wear protective equipment (e.g. eyewear, gloves) and a fitted mask with carbon canisters.
Varnish may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as aromatic hydrocarbons. When choosing a varnish, use a water-based product as it will contain less VOCs or no VOCs. Limit your exposure to these harmful toxins by wearing protective equipment (e.g. eyewear, gloves) and a fitted mask with carbon canisters. Use the product either in a well-ventilated room or outdoors, if possible. Avoid products with the skull and crossbones on the label.
Choose a paint remover or stripper that does not contain methylene chloride (dichloromethane). Methylene chloride is harmful to your health. Avoid products with the skull and crossbones on the label - they contain toxic solvents. When using products with solvents, ventilate the work area or work outdoors, if possible. You can also reduce exposure by wearing a fitted mask with carbon canisters.
Lead is a probable carcinogen, a potent neurotoxin, and has many other toxic effects. Use protective equipment and have meticulous work practices when refinishing old wooden surfaces painted before the 1980s, and surfaces painted with marine paint, as these will have a high lead content. Keep children well away, clean up daily, and wash clothes that might contain lead residue separately. A miniscule amount of lead dust can harm a child's developing brain.
Indoor air is typically much more polluted than outdoor air. Reduce or eliminate the sources of indoor toxins and, when the outdoor air quality is good, open the windows daily to let in the fresh air!
Go fragrance-free, as "fragrance" is a mixture of many chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer and neurotoxicity. Phthalates, chemicals to make the scent last longer, disrupt the endocrine (hormonal) system in the body. To scent air naturally, boil cinnamon and cloves in a shallow pan or use bowls of natural potpourri. You can also use natural absorbents such as baking soda, activated charcoal, or lava rock.
Equip your home with a heat recovery ventilator to provide fresh and filtered air.
Some chemicals emitted by molds are carcinogenic, so make sure that all water leaks and drips in your home and workplace are cleaned up and fixed immediately. Any mold in your building should be sealed off until the moldy material can be safely removed and repairs completed. Safe work practices include isolation of the space, ventilation to the outdoors, personal protection, and thorough cleanup. If you have a large mold problem, it's a job for a professional.
Keep the humidity low in your basement. Throughout the year it can be cool and damp, which promotes mold growth.
House plants, such as aloe vera, English ivy, ficus benjamina (fig), and peace lily, will help remove common household carcinogens from the air, such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Avoid burning artificially scented paraffin candles as they contain numerous toxic chemicals. Imported Asian candles sometimes have neurotoxic, cancer-promoting lead in the wick (yes, this is illegal!). It is best to use beeswax candles with cotton wicks only.
Install household air filters and change them regularly. Currently, the best technology is high-efficiency particle arrester (HEPA) filtration, in combination with a carbon filter. This will remove dust, pet dander, hair, pollen, mold, mites, auto exhaust, soot particles from printers and copy machines, volatile chemicals, and cooking odors.
Leave your shoes at the door! Dirt tracked in on footwear may carry toxic intruders such as pesticides, organic pollutants, and heavy metals.
Mop floors, vacuum (preferably with a high-efficiency particle arrester (HEPA) filter), and dust surfaces with a clean, damp cloth at least twice a week, as dust is a major source of toxins.
Do not use mothballs containing naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as they are suspected human carcinogens that may damage the eyes, blood, liver, kidneys, skin, and central nervous system. Instead, use natural alternatives like cedar balls or panels, and dried marigold, lavender, citronella, and pennyroyal. yet, place clean clothing in vacuum-sealed bags for storage.
Paradichlorobenzene is a probable carcinogen found in "pucks" for diaper pails and urinals. Avoid these, and if you run across them in public places, inform management that they should not be used, as they pollute the air in the entire facility.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Replace skull and crossbones marked cleaning products with vinegar, lemon, baking soda, or salt. They are healthy, work just as well, and are much cheaper!
Avoid furniture and floor polishes containing nitrobenzene, as this chemical is associated with cancer and birth defects.
Don't use spot removers that contain toxic solvents. These products may have a skull and crossbones warning on the label. Research products that contain safer substances.
Instead of using toxic drain cleaners, try a plunger first. Alternatively, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain then add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain tightly. The resulting chemical reaction can dislodge the debris so that it can be washed down the drain. (Do not use either method after trying a commercial drain opener, as the resulting release of toxic chlorine gas can be dangerous.)
Use white distilled vinegar and water to clean your home, office or automobile. It is a mild disinfectant and cleaning eliminates many odors.
Use lemon juice and water to cut grease and polish metal.
Use baking soda for scouring tubs and other tough to clean surfaces.
Rather than furniture polish with toxic chemicals, mix olive oil and vinegar to use as a natural option. These products may have a skull and crossbones or warning about ventilation on the label.
Use only wet-clean or natural ingredients to clean carpet and upholstery. Avoid cleaners containing toxic chemicals. These cleaners may have a skull and crossbones or other warning about ventilation on the label.
As a safer alternative to harsh conventional cleaners, use white vinegar or baking soda to clean and remove stains from the toilet bowl. Peroxide bleach may be mixed with vinegar for cleaning and disinfection, but avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothes, as peroxide is a potent chemical. (Never mix chlorine or hypochlorite bleach with vinegar!)
Polish brass with a soft cloth dipped in lemon juice or a baking soda/water paste for a healthy alternative to commercial polishers.
Rather than harmful chemical cleaners, brighten gold using a soft brush or cloth and a soap solution. Commercial cleaners are often toxic.
Rather than harmful commercial cleaners, clean pewter with a soft cloth using a mixture of a pinch of salt, vinegar and flour. Use gloves as some pewter may contain lead.
To polish silver, boil it in a pan lined with aluminum foil and filled with water, to which a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt has been added. This is a safer alternative to toxic commercial polishers. Be careful, as this process does not take long. Prolonged contact with the baking soda and salt solution can harm the silver.
LAUNDRY ROOM
Avoid liquid laundry detergents and floor cleaners containing monoethanalomine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA).
Avoid commercial fabric softeners as they are made of toxic chemicals that may cause central nervous system damage, respiratory problems, and cancer. Using liquid fabric softeners also adds toxic chemicals to the waterways. Dryer sheets are no better – you breathe the chemicals that are emitted when they are heated. That "fresh-from-the-dryer" scent that fabric softeners impart to your clean laundry? Simply toxic. Instead, skip it altogether, or buy a $5 set of dryer balls, switch to a soy-based, unscented softener, or add a quarter-cup of vinegar to your wash cycle.
HOME FURNISHINGS & FINISHINGS
Avoid the use of pressure treated wood as it is typically treated with toxic chemicals. If possible, use naturally rot resistant woods such as cedar, redwood, or black locust. Older pressure treated wood, which was generally treated with chromate copper arsenate (CAA), is extremely poisonous and results in toxic smoke when burned. This smoke can poison the entire neighborhood. Use personal protection when working with pressure-treated wood.
Use certified organic fabrics for bedding, towels, curtains, and upholstered furniture. Many of these non-organic items are conventionally finished with resin to make them "wrinkle-free", but over time the resin releases formaldehyde. Other chemicals in some fabrics include brominated flame-retardants, fluorinated stain repellants, and dyes that are fixed with heavy metals.
Use cotton or hemp shower curtains. Be sure to wash them regularly to avoid potential mold build up. If you must use plastic, choose polyethylene, and never buy vinyl.
For window coverings, opt for organic fabrics, naturally finished wood shutters, louvers, or metal Venetian blinds.
Use natural wall finishes such as plaster or water-based zero or low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints.
Use bed frames and bath/kitchen cupboards made of wood free from toxic formaldehyde-containing glues, particleboard and chemical stains. A metal bedframe is another option.
Most conventional mattresses and pillows contain flame retardants. Cotton and wool are naturally flame retardant, so organic mattresses and pillows of these materials should not contain petrochemicals and flame retardants that may contribute to cancers. A less expensive alternative could be high quality washable covers for the mattress or pillow.
Opt for hardwood flooring, ceramic tiles, or natural carpeting as synthetic carpeting may off-gas up to 120 volatile chemicals, especially in the first few months after installation. These volatile chemicals negatively affect indoor air quality. Dyes, binders, flame retardants and stain-resistant treatments in the synthetic carpets are also hazardous to your health.
Many "eco" products that are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other toxins are available at building supply and hardware stores. Use these over conventional brands, but be cautious of "greenwashing." Buyers beware, and do your homework!
KITCHEN
Do not use non-stick cookware. It uses materials that emit toxic chemicals when heated, especially at higher temperatures. Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel cookware.
Avoid cooking with copper pots and pans. Elevated levels of copper relative to zinc in your body are linked to proliferation of cancer cells and other chronic disease. Copper between the layers of steel at the bottom of the pot poses no risk.
Avoid plastic food storage containers, and never heat food or beverages in plastic containers. Use glass instead.
Avoid canned foods and drinks as the can's lining often contains bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical that may contribute to the development of cancer. Some linings for canned foods are BPA-free, and this is generally indicated on the can.
Don't use microwave ovens. Heat your food the old fashioned way: on the stove.
Avoid using hard plastic bottles as they often contain bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical that may be a carcinogen. If you must use a plastic bottle, avoid ones with the recycling symbol #7 and go for the less risky types - #1, #2, #4, and #5. Your best choice is to use glass or, for a less fragile option, use stainless steel bottles.
Install a whole house and/or a point-of-use water filtration system. Chlorine-containing chemicals are toxic, and when we shower we are exposed to them not only dermally, but also through our lungs. A reverse osmosis plus carbon filter system is perfect for the kitchen tap.
Researchers have found that children living in households that use pesticides indoors have a much higher chance of developing childhood leukemia. Sanitation and removal/repair of damp/rotting structures are the keys to minimizing indoor pests. Also, use non-toxic remedies such as Borax baits to defeat ants and skillfully placed baited traps to capture rodents.
Use unbleached paper towels, coffee filters, lunch bags, napkins, and paper plates as white paper bleached with chlorine has a residue of dioxin, a known carcinogen. As waste in the landfill, dioxin also leaches into the soil, and escapes via groundwater.
GARAGE
Most automotive supplies are toxic. Keep them away from the house and dispose of them safely at a hazardous waste disposal center.
Gasoline and motor oils all contain petroleum hydrocarbons, which are closely associated with skin and lung cancer. Limit your exposure to these toxins.
GARDEN
Promote affordable organic foods through personal and community gardens, co-ops, and advocacy.
Do not use toxic pesticides such as herbicides or insecticides in your garden. Kids and animals play in the yard. There are much safer alternatives.
Use insecticides accepted in organic gardening. These can be made from soap (diluted solution), essential oils, boric acid (for ants), or diatomaceous earth. Avoid inhaling airborne diatomaceous earth particles.
Use boric acid to treat problem ants, by sprinkling it in cracks or buying Borax bait. They take the powder back to the colony and poison it.
Rather than using conventional pesticides to eliminate lawn weeds, apply corn gluten as soon as any snow disappears. It prevents weed seeds from germinating (so be strategic in its use), and adds nitrogen to the soil. After several years of consistent application, corn gluten can provide up to 90% weed control.
Use soap and water, rather than toxic insecticides, to kill plant aphids. Rinse with water after about 10 minutes to avoid burning the leaves.
Use a manual lawn mower rather than a gas powered one. They tackle two cancer-related problems: more exercise for the pusher and no airborne pollutants for the neighborhood.
Say no to plastic grass! It's a polyethylene-polypropylene blend fashioned from fossil fuels and the rubber crumb underlay contains numerous toxic chemicals. (And what on earth is the dog supposed to do?)
Plant a tree or lots of trees! Trees keep things cool in the summer. This reduces the need for air conditioning, which in turn reduces toxic emissions from power plants. Trees also capture particulates, ozone and volatile organic air pollutants, all of which are linked to cancer and other chronic diseases. Playing in their shade could also reduce melanoma.
Use earth and body friendly treatments for your pool such as ozone, salt water, or a water conditioner/hydrogen peroxide blend. Chlorinated water produces toxic by-products.
When using the BBQ, don't use charcoal lighter fluid as it contains petroleum distillates, and some petroleum distillates contain benzene, a known human carcinogen. Charring food also creates potentially carcinogenic compounds, so consider partially pre-cooking foods with moist heat, and then grilling the food lightly.
STUDIO or HOBBY ROOM
Reduce or limit your exposure to toxic elements such as lead, chromium and cadmium in ceramic glazes, stained-glass materials, and many pigments, including acrylic and oil paints.
Hobby paints can contain many toxic and carcinogenic materials such as chromium, manganese dioxide, cobalt, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. To reduce your exposure to these harmful substances, wear a fitted mask with carbon canisters and be sure that the room is well ventilated, or use them outdoors. Water-based paints (zero-VOC or low-VOC) are also alternatives. Depending on the task, nitrile gloves would also be recommended.
Spray adhesives contain harmful petroleum distillates and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using them outside is highly recommended, if feasible. When using these harmful products, wear protective equipment (e.g. eyewear, gloves) and a fitted mask with carbon canisters.
Varnish may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as aromatic hydrocarbons. When choosing a varnish, use a water-based product as it will contain less VOCs or no VOCs. Limit your exposure to these harmful toxins by wearing protective equipment (e.g. eyewear, gloves) and a fitted mask with carbon canisters. Use the product either in a well-ventilated room or outdoors, if possible. Avoid products with the skull and crossbones on the label.
Choose a paint remover or stripper that does not contain methylene chloride (dichloromethane). Methylene chloride is harmful to your health. Avoid products with the skull and crossbones on the label - they contain toxic solvents. When using products with solvents, ventilate the work area or work outdoors, if possible. You can also reduce exposure by wearing a fitted mask with carbon canisters.
Lead is a probable carcinogen, a potent neurotoxin, and has many other toxic effects. Use protective equipment and have meticulous work practices when refinishing old wooden surfaces painted before the 1980s, and surfaces painted with marine paint, as these will have a high lead content. Keep children well away, clean up daily, and wash clothes that might contain lead residue separately. A miniscule amount of lead dust can harm a child's developing brain.
EMFs & Radiation
PHONES
Invest in a headset (best is a hollow tube style) for your cell phone, and keep calls brief.
Rather than making a phone call, hold the phone away from your body and send a text message instead. Just as long as you're not driving!
Children should not use cell phones at all.
Use a corded, rather than a cordless phone, at home and at the office.
Try to keep your distance from people using cell phones, tablets, etc. on subways, buses or trains as you are being exposed to the electromagnetic radiation from their devices.
Avoid keeping a cell phone constantly on your person.
Keep your cell phone away from you at night unless you have it on 'airplane' or 'offline' mode, which stops electromagnetic emissions.
Regularly change the ear you use when talking on your cell phone. Better yet, use ear buds.
Wait until the other person has picked up the call before putting the cell phone to your ear. A larger amount of electromagnetic radiation is emitted before the call has actually connected.
Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or during rapid travel, as in a train, bus or car. The phone is constantly searching to connect, during which its power output is maximized.
Women, avoid storing your cell phone in your bra. The constant stream of radiation may cause breast cancer by increasing the production of damaging free radicals, and weakening cell membranes and cellular defenses.
Men, avoid storing your cell phone in your front pant pockets. The constant stream of radiation can cause prostate and testicular cancer by increasing the production of damaging free radicals and weakening cell membranes and cellular defenses.
Use your laptop on a table rather than on your lap, especially when the wireless service is activated. Turn off wireless capacity when it is not needed.
MEDICAL RADIATION
Question your doctor and dentist to be sure that X-rays, CT scans and other such tests are absolutely necessary. A significant rise in the incidence of thyroid cancer, for example, has been linked to childhood dental radiation. Modern technologies are available that entail much lower radiation exposures.
Damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative, so keep track of your X-ray exposures and medical records so you can avoid the need for repeat X-rays and CT scans.
If you absolutely must have an X-ray, make sure the parts of the body not being X-rayed, especially breasts, genitals and thyroid, are carefully shielded.
Women should consider non-ionizing radiation alternatives to screening mammography, such as thermography, MRIs, and transillumination procedures, in combination with thorough, competent clinical breast exams and correct self-examination techniques.
Until suitable, safer alternatives to mammography are available, women should discuss with their physician postponing or forgoing screening mammography until menopause, since evidence shows that there are few benefits of screening prior to that age. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests screening detects less aggressive tumors, and makes little difference to mortality.
ELECTRO-MAGNETIC RADIATION (EMR)
Use an EMF (electromagnetic frequency) detector to check the EMR levels in your home or office. Bedrooms in particular should have EMR readings as low as possible.
Avoid living close to large electrical power lines. Studies in the UK found that relatively low levels of EMFs from power cables are linked to an increased risk of childhood cancer, especially leukemia. This has been confirmed in the US and Sweden. Avoid living within 200 meters of power cables.
Avoid living near cellphone transmitters; the evidence of harm to human health is enough to warrant great caution.
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds is classified as a human carcinogen. Although this radiation provides us with the vitamin D that we need, caution should be exercised with our exposure to UV radiation. Avoid burning your skin when outdoors and use the UV Index Chart provided by your local Weather Office as a guide for your UV exposure. When the UV index is high, use loose, lightly colored clothing and a wide rim hat for protection when outdoors. When using a sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection, choose one that is free of substances such as parabens, nanoparticles, glycols, and TEA, DEA or MEA (tri-, di-, or monoethaloamines).
HOUSEHOLD RADIATION
Switch your home computer monitor from one using a cathode ray tube (CRT) to a flat screen. They consume much less power and emit much lower levels of electromagnetic radiation. The best are LED screens.
Check your home for radon. It's a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas that can migrate through the foundation to your home's lower levels, or come in ground water supplies.
Residential exposure to radon is estimated to cause between 3% and 14% of all lung cancers, making it the second highest cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke.
To avoid infiltration, repair cracks and holes in the basement walls and floor, and ventilate the basement with positive pressure. Although it is recommended that houses should be tightly sealed for energy efficiency, adequate and appropriate ventilation is necessary to remove indoor air pollutants, including radon from the basement. A good motto is "seal tight, ventilate right."
Avoid using electric blankets, or just use them to warm the bed then turn them off before getting in. These can be an unwanted source of localized electromagnetic frequencies.
Consider the example of an apartment building in Canada. It had 32 radio and TV satellite dishes on the roof and 80% of those living on the top floor developed cancer. Avoid satellite dishes where possible.
When you are not using it, turn off your Wi-Fi at home. Better yet, use cables.
Radiation from wireless communication devices (WCDs) and associated transmitters was declared a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2011.[1,2] Reviews in 2013, including more recent research, found justification to upgrade the classification to “probable” or “known.”[3,4] Now a 2014 study found that over about a decade, brain cancer risks quadrupled with cell phone use for 15 hours a month, and tripled with 900 hours or more of use.[5]
WCDs include cellular and cordless phones, tablets, wifi, baby monitors, “smart” meters, wifi enabled appliances and other devices. It is wise to minimize exposures to the radiation in telecommunications.
Here are some ideas:
Background
According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), there are almost as many cellphone subscriptions as there are people in the world (96% of the population), with internet data plans also increasing (over 60% of subscriptions in North America and 75% in Europe).
Transmission of all this information requires cell phone towers and other infrastructure, and the rules and roles of Canadian federal, provincial and local regulators and politicians are somewhat in flux. Individuals have less control over radiation from towers than they have over devices they own, but can seek more protective policies. A 2014 review [5] argues for precautionary regulation of cellphone infrastructure.
Health Canada’s guideline for exposure to radiofrequency radiation was reviewed by the Royal Society of Canada in 2014.[7] Standards have remained almost unchanged since 1979, while China, Russia, Italy and Switzerland have wireless radiation limits that are 100 times safer than Canada’s.[8]
REFERENCES:
PHONES
Invest in a headset (best is a hollow tube style) for your cell phone, and keep calls brief.
Rather than making a phone call, hold the phone away from your body and send a text message instead. Just as long as you're not driving!
Children should not use cell phones at all.
Use a corded, rather than a cordless phone, at home and at the office.
Try to keep your distance from people using cell phones, tablets, etc. on subways, buses or trains as you are being exposed to the electromagnetic radiation from their devices.
Avoid keeping a cell phone constantly on your person.
Keep your cell phone away from you at night unless you have it on 'airplane' or 'offline' mode, which stops electromagnetic emissions.
Regularly change the ear you use when talking on your cell phone. Better yet, use ear buds.
Wait until the other person has picked up the call before putting the cell phone to your ear. A larger amount of electromagnetic radiation is emitted before the call has actually connected.
Avoid using your cell phone when the signal is weak or during rapid travel, as in a train, bus or car. The phone is constantly searching to connect, during which its power output is maximized.
Women, avoid storing your cell phone in your bra. The constant stream of radiation may cause breast cancer by increasing the production of damaging free radicals, and weakening cell membranes and cellular defenses.
Men, avoid storing your cell phone in your front pant pockets. The constant stream of radiation can cause prostate and testicular cancer by increasing the production of damaging free radicals and weakening cell membranes and cellular defenses.
Use your laptop on a table rather than on your lap, especially when the wireless service is activated. Turn off wireless capacity when it is not needed.
MEDICAL RADIATION
Question your doctor and dentist to be sure that X-rays, CT scans and other such tests are absolutely necessary. A significant rise in the incidence of thyroid cancer, for example, has been linked to childhood dental radiation. Modern technologies are available that entail much lower radiation exposures.
Damage from ionizing radiation is cumulative, so keep track of your X-ray exposures and medical records so you can avoid the need for repeat X-rays and CT scans.
If you absolutely must have an X-ray, make sure the parts of the body not being X-rayed, especially breasts, genitals and thyroid, are carefully shielded.
Women should consider non-ionizing radiation alternatives to screening mammography, such as thermography, MRIs, and transillumination procedures, in combination with thorough, competent clinical breast exams and correct self-examination techniques.
Until suitable, safer alternatives to mammography are available, women should discuss with their physician postponing or forgoing screening mammography until menopause, since evidence shows that there are few benefits of screening prior to that age. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests screening detects less aggressive tumors, and makes little difference to mortality.
ELECTRO-MAGNETIC RADIATION (EMR)
Use an EMF (electromagnetic frequency) detector to check the EMR levels in your home or office. Bedrooms in particular should have EMR readings as low as possible.
Avoid living close to large electrical power lines. Studies in the UK found that relatively low levels of EMFs from power cables are linked to an increased risk of childhood cancer, especially leukemia. This has been confirmed in the US and Sweden. Avoid living within 200 meters of power cables.
Avoid living near cellphone transmitters; the evidence of harm to human health is enough to warrant great caution.
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds is classified as a human carcinogen. Although this radiation provides us with the vitamin D that we need, caution should be exercised with our exposure to UV radiation. Avoid burning your skin when outdoors and use the UV Index Chart provided by your local Weather Office as a guide for your UV exposure. When the UV index is high, use loose, lightly colored clothing and a wide rim hat for protection when outdoors. When using a sunscreen for UVA and UVB protection, choose one that is free of substances such as parabens, nanoparticles, glycols, and TEA, DEA or MEA (tri-, di-, or monoethaloamines).
HOUSEHOLD RADIATION
Switch your home computer monitor from one using a cathode ray tube (CRT) to a flat screen. They consume much less power and emit much lower levels of electromagnetic radiation. The best are LED screens.
Check your home for radon. It's a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas that can migrate through the foundation to your home's lower levels, or come in ground water supplies.
Residential exposure to radon is estimated to cause between 3% and 14% of all lung cancers, making it the second highest cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke.
To avoid infiltration, repair cracks and holes in the basement walls and floor, and ventilate the basement with positive pressure. Although it is recommended that houses should be tightly sealed for energy efficiency, adequate and appropriate ventilation is necessary to remove indoor air pollutants, including radon from the basement. A good motto is "seal tight, ventilate right."
Avoid using electric blankets, or just use them to warm the bed then turn them off before getting in. These can be an unwanted source of localized electromagnetic frequencies.
Consider the example of an apartment building in Canada. It had 32 radio and TV satellite dishes on the roof and 80% of those living on the top floor developed cancer. Avoid satellite dishes where possible.
When you are not using it, turn off your Wi-Fi at home. Better yet, use cables.
Radiation from wireless communication devices (WCDs) and associated transmitters was declared a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2011.[1,2] Reviews in 2013, including more recent research, found justification to upgrade the classification to “probable” or “known.”[3,4] Now a 2014 study found that over about a decade, brain cancer risks quadrupled with cell phone use for 15 hours a month, and tripled with 900 hours or more of use.[5]
WCDs include cellular and cordless phones, tablets, wifi, baby monitors, “smart” meters, wifi enabled appliances and other devices. It is wise to minimize exposures to the radiation in telecommunications.
Here are some ideas:
- When possible, always text rather than talk.
- Use wires/cables/fiber at home, work and school.
- Distance is your friend! Keep your wireless devices as far away as possible.
- Be strategic using your device, communicating when the signal is strong and turning it off when possible.
- Choose the safest devices.
Background
According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), there are almost as many cellphone subscriptions as there are people in the world (96% of the population), with internet data plans also increasing (over 60% of subscriptions in North America and 75% in Europe).
Transmission of all this information requires cell phone towers and other infrastructure, and the rules and roles of Canadian federal, provincial and local regulators and politicians are somewhat in flux. Individuals have less control over radiation from towers than they have over devices they own, but can seek more protective policies. A 2014 review [5] argues for precautionary regulation of cellphone infrastructure.
Health Canada’s guideline for exposure to radiofrequency radiation was reviewed by the Royal Society of Canada in 2014.[7] Standards have remained almost unchanged since 1979, while China, Russia, Italy and Switzerland have wireless radiation limits that are 100 times safer than Canada’s.[8]
REFERENCES:
- Baan R, Grosse Y, Lauby-Secretan B, El Ghissassi F, Bouvard V, Benbrahim-Tallaa L, et al. Carcinogenicity of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Jul;12(7):624–6.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2013 Sep 2]. Available here.
- Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. Use of mobile phones and cordless phones is associated with increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma. Pathophysiology. 2013 Apr;20(2):85–110.
- Davis DL, Kesari S, Soskolne CL, Miller AB, Stein Y. Swedish review strengthens grounds for concluding that radiation from cellular and cordless phones is a probable human carcinogen. Pathophysiology. 2013 Apr;20(2):123–9.
- Coureau G, Bouvier G, Lebailly P, Fabbro-Peray P, Gruber A, Leffondre K, et al. Mobile phone use and brain tumours in the CERENAT case-control study. Occup Environ Med. 2014 May 9;oemed–2013–101754.
- Roda C, Perry S. Mobile phone infrastructure regulation in Europe: Scientific challenges and human rights protection. Environ Sci Policy. 2014 Mar;37:204–14.
- Kolb B, Demers P, Findlay R, Moulder J, Nicol A-M, Prato F, et al. A Review of Safety Code 6 (2013): Health Canada’s Safety Limits for Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields [Internet]. Expert Panel of the Royal Society of Canada; 2014 Spring. Available here.
- Gandhi OP, Morgan LL, de Salles AA, Han Y-Y, Herberman RB, Davis DL. Exposure Limits: The underestimation of absorbed cell phone radiation, especially in children. Electromagn Biol Med. 2012 Mar;31(1):34–51.
Cancer burden of
diesel exhaust steep for exposed workers
Almost five per cent of all lung cancers diagnosed in Canadian males each year are attributable to occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE). This burden was uncovered by Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) researchers as part of a wider project to estimate the current overall burden of occupational cancers suffered by Canadian workers.
The OCRC released preliminary data recently estimating the proportion of new DEE-related diagnosed lung cancers to be 4.92% for males, 0.29% for females and 2.70% overall. Considering it can take years, even decades, from initial exposure to carcinogens, including DEE and the development of cancer, these researchers looked at data for the risk exposure period between 1961 and 2001. “Historically, workers exposed to diesel exhaust were mostly male—it makes sense then to see the attributable male fraction to be higher than for women,” says OCRC researcher Joanne Kim.
Specifically, this relates to male-dominated industries such as mining, trucking and the operation of other heavy equipment. Using the OCRC estimates and those published by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), more than 230 men and women in Ontario will be diagnosed this year with lung cancer because of their prior exposures to DEE at work. This will be a death sentence for many. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death with a five year survival rate of just 17 per cent.
Another study, published in February 2014, reported an estimated 4.8 per cent of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the United Kingdom were due to occupational exposure to DEE. “With millions of workers currently exposed to such levels (of DEE), and likely higher levels in the past, the impact on current and future lung cancer burden could be substantial,” according to authors of the US/UK report. These same researchers pointed out a significant risk to public health from environmental exposure to DEE. This was most significant for those living in urban environments nearest to highways.
Just two years ago in 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified DEE from a probable to a definite human carcinogen in light of what they explained was “compelling scientific evidence”. They specifically cited links with lung and bladder cancer. With cleaner diesel engines and retrofit emission control systems for older engines now available, some workplaces have already taken steps to reduce harmful exposures. Some Ontario and Canadian communities have also sought relief from harmful DEE through various initiatives such as idling control by-laws and purchasing policies for public transit and other fleet vehicles.
The Workers Health & Safety Centre offers a diesel exhaust fact sheet highlighting these and other precautions designed to protect workers and the public. The fact sheet also outlines numerous additional risks to health posed by DEE. This information and more including employer legal obligations to address the risk to health are also explored in the WHSC Vehicle Emissions training program.
The OCRC will be releasing further information regarding their study entitled Burden of cancer attributable to occupational diesel engine exhaust exposure in Canada later in 2014.
Almost five per cent of all lung cancers diagnosed in Canadian males each year are attributable to occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE). This burden was uncovered by Occupational Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) researchers as part of a wider project to estimate the current overall burden of occupational cancers suffered by Canadian workers.
The OCRC released preliminary data recently estimating the proportion of new DEE-related diagnosed lung cancers to be 4.92% for males, 0.29% for females and 2.70% overall. Considering it can take years, even decades, from initial exposure to carcinogens, including DEE and the development of cancer, these researchers looked at data for the risk exposure period between 1961 and 2001. “Historically, workers exposed to diesel exhaust were mostly male—it makes sense then to see the attributable male fraction to be higher than for women,” says OCRC researcher Joanne Kim.
Specifically, this relates to male-dominated industries such as mining, trucking and the operation of other heavy equipment. Using the OCRC estimates and those published by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS), more than 230 men and women in Ontario will be diagnosed this year with lung cancer because of their prior exposures to DEE at work. This will be a death sentence for many. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death with a five year survival rate of just 17 per cent.
Another study, published in February 2014, reported an estimated 4.8 per cent of lung cancer deaths in the United States and the United Kingdom were due to occupational exposure to DEE. “With millions of workers currently exposed to such levels (of DEE), and likely higher levels in the past, the impact on current and future lung cancer burden could be substantial,” according to authors of the US/UK report. These same researchers pointed out a significant risk to public health from environmental exposure to DEE. This was most significant for those living in urban environments nearest to highways.
Just two years ago in 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified DEE from a probable to a definite human carcinogen in light of what they explained was “compelling scientific evidence”. They specifically cited links with lung and bladder cancer. With cleaner diesel engines and retrofit emission control systems for older engines now available, some workplaces have already taken steps to reduce harmful exposures. Some Ontario and Canadian communities have also sought relief from harmful DEE through various initiatives such as idling control by-laws and purchasing policies for public transit and other fleet vehicles.
The Workers Health & Safety Centre offers a diesel exhaust fact sheet highlighting these and other precautions designed to protect workers and the public. The fact sheet also outlines numerous additional risks to health posed by DEE. This information and more including employer legal obligations to address the risk to health are also explored in the WHSC Vehicle Emissions training program.
The OCRC will be releasing further information regarding their study entitled Burden of cancer attributable to occupational diesel engine exhaust exposure in Canada later in 2014.
