environmental toxins and human reproductive hazards romulo s. de villa, md, phd, cert. biochem....
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Environmental Toxins and Human Reproductive
Hazards
Romulo S. de Villa, MD, PhD, Cert. Biochem.Molecular & Nutritional Oncologist
Professor of Biochemistry & Nutrition
Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Consultant
This material may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written permission of Dr. de Villa.
www.drdevilla.com
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1946 ‘50 ‘60 ‘70 ‘80 ‘90
Philippine Health Statistics, 1996 (Department of Health)
Communicable Disease
Diseases of the Heart and Malignant Neoplasms
Rate per 100,000 Population, Philippines, 1946-1996MORTALITY TREND
Communicable Disease
Diseases of the HeartMalignant Neoplasms
www.drdevilla.com
Reason for Increasing Mortality from Non-communicable Disease
Agricultural Revolution Pollution of air, land and water
Industrial Revolution Pollution of air, land and water Production of organochlorine toxins
Mining Operations Pollution of air, land and water Heavy metal contamination
This material may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission of Dr. de Villa.
Reproductive Health Hazards
Physical Agents Heat Vibration Noise Radiation Maternal Trauma
Infections
Metabolic Imbalance
Drugs
Chemicals . . . . . . . . . .
Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic
Two Important Groups of Environmental Hazards
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
Chemicals and xenobiotics which can interfere with the body’s own hormones even in doses which are parts per trillion resulting in adverse effects to health, intelligence and behavior
Mechanism of Endocrine Disruptors
1. Alter the synthesis and breakdown of natural hormones.
2. Mimic the sex steroid hormones (estrogen and androgen) and bind to their natural receptors either as agonists or antagonists.
3. Modify the production and functioning of hormone receptors.
Endocrine Disruptors in the Home
Household ProductsBreakdown products of detergents and surfactants
Nonylphenol, Octylphenol
PesticidesDDT, endosulfan, atrazine, nitrofen, and tributyltin
PlasticsBisphenol A, Pthalates
Endocrine Disruptors in the Home
Industrial chemicals polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin and
benzo(a)pyrene)
By products of incineration, paper production, and fuel combustion
Metals cadmium, lead, mercury
Adverse Effects of Endocrine Disruptors
Decrease sperm count
Testicular cancer
Hypospadias and cryptorchidism
Breast cancer
Deficits in intelligence and learning
Musculinization of female fetus
Feminization of male fetus
PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPS)
Carbon based synthetic chemicals which share four characteristics:
1.High toxicity
2.Persistence
3.Special affinity for fat
4.Propensity to evaporate and spread all over the world
12 Priority POPs
1. DDT
2. Aldrin
3. Dieldrin
4. Chlordane
5. Endrin
6. Heptachlor
7. Hexachlorobenzene
8. Mirex
9. Toxaphene
10. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
11. Dioxin
12. Furans
12 Priority POPs
DDTFor vector controlBanned in the Philippines since 1992
Aldrin, Dieldrin and Endrin Insecticide and termicideBanned in the Philippines
Chlordane Insecticide and termicideRestricted use as pesticide
12 Priority POPs
Heptachlor Insecticide and soil termicideBanned in the Philippines
HexachlorobenzeneFungicide used in fireworks, ammunition and synthetic
rubberBanned in the Philippines
Mirex Insecticide and fire retardantNever registered in the Philippines
12 Priority POPs
Toxaphene Insecticide in cropsControl of ticks and mites in livestockBanned in the Philippines
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Heat exchange fluids in electric transformers,
paints additives, used in carbonless papers and in plastics
Stockpiles are still in the Philippines
12 Priority POPs
DioxinsByproducts of production of pesticides and
other chlorinated solvents
Furans
PCBs are found in the following:
pesticides,
surface coatings,
inks,
adhesives,
paint retardants
paints
transformers
capacitors
air
drinking water
food (beef and pork meat, poultry and fish)
How PCBs Influence the Mother, Fetus & Baby
PCBs are: Rapidly absorbed thru the intestinal tract from
contaminated food and accumulate in the liverDistributed all over the bodyExcreted in breastmilkCross the placentaFound in amniotic fluid and fetal tissue Increase risk of cancers of digestive sytem,
liver and melanoma
DioxinsHeterogenous mixture of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran congeners
Main sources are industrial and municipal incineration processes and contaminate the food chain
Animal models show antiestrogenic effect- decreased age of onset of puberty, PCOS, shortened lactation
DioxinsEvidence suggest effect on male reproductive health as well- cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer (?), sperm quality (?)
Lack of dataSpontaneous abortion (?)Fetal growth restriction (?)
PesticidesInsecticides
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons– DDT– Benzene hexachlorides (Lindane)– Cyclodienes (Aldrin)– Toxaphenes (Camphechlor)
• Organophosphates– Malathion– Parathion– Methylparathion– trichlorfon
Pesticides
Found in commercially available food products
Almost universal exposure to low concentrations
2-butoxyethanol/ Ethylene glycol butyl ether
One of many glycol ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners
Can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage. May also cause reproductive damage with long-term exposure.
1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB)
Found in space deodorizing products, such as room fresheners, urinal cakes, toilet bowl fresheners and cleaning products it is also used as an insecticide for moth control.
Has been linked to a reduction in pulmonary function.
AlkylPhenol Ethoxylates (APEs)
Endocrine DisruptorsSurfactants
lower the surface tension of liquids and help cleaning solutions spread more easily over the surface to be cleaned and penetrate solids.
Found in detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners
and laundry cleansers, self-care items including spermicides, sanitary
towels and disposable diapers.
Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)
Nonyl Phenols are known as “gender-benders,” can induce female characteristics in male fish, The threat posed to the environment by nonyl
phenols prompted the European Union to ban them from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the EU. Still used in the U.S.
Toluene
Potent reproductive toxinUsed as a solvent in numerous products,
including paints. Sold also as the pure product and is listed
by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a reproductive toxin that may cause harm to the developing fetus.
Pregnant women should avoid products containing toluene.
Xylene
Often found in graffiti and scuff removers, spray paints and
some adhesives.
A suspected reproductive toxin that has shown reproductive harm in laboratory
experiments,
Also a neurotoxicant can cause memory loss on repeated exposure.
Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite)
When bleach is mixed with acids (typically found in toilet bowl cleaners), it reacts with them to form chlorine gas. When it is mixed with ammonia, it can create chloramine gas, another toxic substance.
In the environment, sodium hypochlorite is acutely toxic to fish. The chlorine in bleach can also bind with organic material in the marine environment to form organochlorines, toxic compounds that can persist in the environment.
Phosphates
Most of the dishwashing products available from major manufacturers contain 30-40 per cent phosphates. Some also contain high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients.
StyreneStyrene is most commonly used in the manufacture of numerous plastics including plastic food wrap, insulated cups, carpet backing and PVC piping. Styrene is also found in floor waxes and metal polishes
Styrene is a known carcinogen as well as an endocrine disruptor. Exposure may affect the central nervous system, liver and reproductive system.
PhthalatesCommonly used in the manufacture of
plastics, used as carriers for perfumes and air fresheners and as skin penetration enhancers for products such as moisturizers.
These chemicals are classified as inert and as such no product-labeling requirements exist for phthalates.
They are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens, known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Emitted as gases suspending themselves in the air. may have short- and long-term adverse health effects
Commonly include propane, butane, ethanol, phthalates and/or
formaldehydePose a variety of human health hazards
reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens.
Present in perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and
deodorizers
Lead
Lead affects all organs of the bodyCVS - hypertensionRenal damageHepatotoxicityHematologic depressionPregnancy - low birth weight,
premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth
Environmental tobacco smoke
Second-hand Smoke or Exhaled SmokeSmoke released from the smoldering end
of cigarettes, cigars and pipesComposed of >3,800 different chemical
compounds
Contains nicotine, a known neuroteratogen in experimental animals and by itself produces many effects of total tobacco smoke.
Environmental tobacco smoke
Clinical Effects:Babies:
Low birthweight or Small for gestational babies, Sudden infant death syndromeSpontaneous abortions, Perinatal deaths,
Children: Increased learning disorders, Behavioral and
attention deficit disordersLower respiratory tract infection, Middle ear effusion,
Asthma, Cancer
Environmental tobacco smoke
leading cause of environmentally induced morbidity and developmental diseases in children
Reproductive Health Effects
Delay or prevention of pregnancy (infertility)
Termination of pregnancy (abortion)
Decreased physical or mental health of the baby (mental retardation)
Malformations (congenital anomalies)
Cancer in children
Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic
Who’s Affected
Both males and femalesThe baby is from sperm of the male and
egg of the femaleMale and female hormones influencing
fertility can both be affectedMale can bring home chemical hazardGenetic changes in male and female can
be passed on later to the baby
Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic
Chemicals Hazardous to Reproductive Health
With established limits to exposureLead, Dibrochloropropane, Ethylene oxide,
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Clearly linked to reproductive effectsMercury, Glycol ethers, some
pharmaceuticals
Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic
Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances
List of 145, 000 chemicals (April 1999)6,000 reproductive
effectors1,000 have human data
General industrial and domestic chemicals, heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, disinfectants, gases and pharmaceuticals.
Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic
Use Plain Soap and Water for Cleaning
Use flowers and their essential oils for aroma
Have charcoal canisters at the corners of the home.
Traffic Light of Nutrition
PROCESSING
Frying (lipid peroxides)
Baking (acrylamides)
Broiling (benzopyrene)
Microwaving (plastic)
Steaming
Boiling
Raw
Cook in coconut milk
Cook in curry
FOOD Pork & pork products
Crabs, shell, shrimps
Beef
Chicken
Fish (sea, scales, small)
Full cream powdered milk
Soft boiled eggs
Fruits & Vegetables
Whole Grain/Cereals
Beans, nuts, legumes
High 5 Diet
end
Diet Prescription for your Soul
Take 2 cups full of patience1 heartful of love2 handfuls of generosity1 dash of laughter
sprinkle with kindness
mix well with prayer
and serve everyone you meet