M3.1 Biomonitoring

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Lab Results from Blood and Urine Samples

If I were to receive the results listed below, I would have to say that I would have felt extremely shocked. The CNN special has really changed my understanding on the true burden face by our bodies in being saturated with toxic chemicals. In general, I have always tried to control my exposure to certain things that I know are toxic and harmful to my health. To know that I have been exposed to these chemicals completely unaware is very scary. Knowing that these chemicals are flowing in my blood stream at this very moment in time is anxiety provoking and makes me think about where, when, and how I have been exposed to these chemicals. The fact that DDT is in my system even though it has been banned in the 70's is quite alarming. Where could this exposure have happened? Are there phalates in my blood from the plastic water bottles I drink from? Was I silently poisoned by lead in my home or way before in other settings? Several questions are starting to run through my mind in looking at the results. Looking over these chemicals and their potential health effects made me totally aware of the fact that I am totally and completely vulnerable. It is frightening to know that my body is host to these dangerous chemicals, which I will continue to absorb from my environment. I actually would not be surprised if my body actually did have these chemicals given what we have learned so far!

Chemical(s)
Potential Health Effects 
Dioxins
Carcinogen, endocrine disruptor, cognitive disfunction
DDT 
Reproductive toxicant
Organophosphate
(pesticide) neurotoxicant, Parkinson’s
Lead
Neurotoxicant, kidney toxicant, insomnia, impotence
Solvent
Liver toxicant, neurotoxicant
PCBs
Carcinogen, toxic to immune, neuro, and repro systems
Phthalates
Repro toxicant (infertility), testicular damage, endometriosis, endocrine disruptor

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 29, 2018 at 3:53 PM

    Isn’t this terrifying? Yet we learned in the module that 100% of American citizens would show levels of lead in their blood. Organophosphates, PCBs, and phthalates are everywhere, To the extent that they’ve even become a part of ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sintia ShahbazNovember 5, 2018 at 7:02 PM

    I agree! It is so scary to find out that there is so much going on and flowing through our blood that we are unaware of. I think no matter what we cannot really protect ourselves against some toxins.

    ReplyDelete

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