Environmental Pollutants Profile

There are toxic compounds present in our air, water, food and many consumer products that we use every day. Because environmental levels are usually low, the effects on our health can be slow to develop. Many toxic chemicals found in our environment are known or suspected to cause serious health problems from long-term exposure, such as cancer and reproductive or birth defects. Increasing levels of toxic exposure can be very subtle and gradual, but over time can have harmful effects.

WHAT TOXINS DOES THE US BIOTEK LABORATORIES’ ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS PROFILE MEASURE?

VOLATILE SOLVENTS

Prevalent in industry, volatile solvents are used to make a variety of consumer products: plastics, rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, paints, varnishes, glues, furniture wax, adhesives, lacquers, thinners, drugs, pesticides and more. Exposure is generally through inhalation of the gas emitted from the product that contains the solvent. We can be exposed to solvents in a number of everyday ways, including off-gassing from building materials, furniture, shoes, food packaging materials, breathing cigarette smoke, vapors from copying machines, automobile exhaust, gas stations and fingernail polish to name a few. Consequences from exposure are broad spectrum, from acute irritation of the eyes, nose and throat to cognitive and neurological impairments, certain cancers, anemia, infertility, liver and kidney damage.

PHTHALATES

Known as “plasticizers”, they make plastic products soft and pliable; from food wrap and toys to vinyl flooring and other building materials. Phthalates are also used in a variety of cosmetic and body care products including nail polish, moisturizers, and fragrances. Exposure to phthalates has been linked to diabetes risk, asthma, reproductive system birth defects, hormonal changes, thyroid irregularities and skin allergies.

PARABENS

A group of artificial preservatives, parabens are used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold to increase product shelf-life. They are used in a variety of cosmetic and body care products, such as moisturizers, cleansers, shampoos, conditioners, sunscreens, deodorants, antiperspirants, shaving gels, and toothpastes. Parabens are also used as a preservative in foods like pastries, icings, fillings, frozen dairy products, condiments, coated nuts and confections. Exposure to parabens has been linked to allergic skin reactions.Research suggests that parabens are weakly estrogenic and may have a disrupting effect on the hormonal systems of the body.

WHO MIGHT BE EXPOSED TO THESE TOXINS?

Painters
Construction workers
Furniture refinishers
Hobbyists
Biomedical laboratory workers
Automobile garage workers
Gasoline station attendants
Parking lot attendants
Freeway commuters
Bicyclists
Smokers
Office workers
Copy machine attendants
Home & industrial cleaners
Metal workers
Beauticians
Cosmetic and body care users

HOW IS THE TEST PERFORMED?

A simple urine test can assess your exposure to eight common environmental chemicals by measuring fourteen of their metabolites. A metabolite is a byproduct of the original compound resulting from biochemical reactions in the body. Urine levels may reflect the amount of chemical that has gotten into the body through all routes of exposure including inhalation, ingestion, and absorption from the skin.

Exposure to common everyday pollutants may have enormous implications for your health, affecting your immune, nervous and reproductive systems. Aloha Natural Medicine offers the Environmental Pollutants Profile by US Biotek. We are hear to assist you in determining if these toxic compounds may be contributing to your health concerns. Call Dr. Allison Nabours to learn more about this test and to discuss how naturopathic medicine can benefit your health and wellness.

Dr. Allison Nabours is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine specializing in holistic fertility, naturopathic pediatrics, hormones, and craniosacral therapy located in Kailua, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.