From ... in Biology — Oct 18, 2024

If Common Chemicals Harm Frogs and Rats, What Are They Doing to Your Children?

Editor's Note: This article is a reprint.

It was originally published November 12, 2016. The TED Talk above features Penelope Jagessar Chaffer, director of the documentary film “Toxic Baby,” and Tyrone Hayes, Ph.D., a professor of integrative biology at the University of California, who has dedicated most of his career to studying the health effects of the herbicide atrazine. According to Chaffer, the average American woman today has 30,000 to 50,000 chemicals in her body that her grandparents did not have. Many of these chemicals have been linked to the rapidly rising incidence of chronic childhood diseases.

In her talk, Chaffer cites the following statistics, which are likely higher today, since this talk was given in 2010: In the U.K., incidence of childhood leukemia rose by 20% in one generation In Canada, prevalence of asthma increased by 400% in 20 years; 1 in 10 children is now diagnosed with asthma In the U.S., childhood cancers have seen a similar rise as that of childhood leukemia in the U.K. Autism spectrum disorder has also increased by 600% in the past 20 years; incidence of autism rose by 57% between 2002 and 2006 alone In the Netherlands, Rotterdam has seen a 400% increase in genital birth defects Obesity and juvenile diabetes have also skyrocketed, and while a high-sugar diet likely bears the brunt of the blame, there's every reason to suspect that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) — many of which enter our system via processed foods — add to the metabolic dysfunction we now see.

Atrazine is the second most commonly used herbicide in the U.S., and the most commonly found herbicide in U.S. ground, rain and drinking water. It's widely used to combat weeds on golf courses, residential lawns and in commercial agriculture. For example, it's used on half of all corn grown in the U.S. Atrazine was approved for use in 1958, and its long history of use is often cited as “proof” of its safety. However, history tells us toxic chemicals can remain in use for a very long time before appropriate action is taken against them. The European Union (EU) banned atrazine in 2005, as suspicions of health problems and environmental damage mounted. In the U.S., atrazine use continued unabated, in large part due to powerful lobbying efforts by Syngenta. In 2005, Syngenta spent $250,000 on lobbying in Minnesota alone, to keep atrazine sales going. Hayes' involvement with atrazine began when Novartis (which later became Syngenta) hired him to investigate the effects of atrazine on amphibians. His research showed that atrazine, even at the very low level of 0.1 part per billion (ppb), causes hermaphroditism in frogs.

It turns males into egg-laying females by inducing an enzyme called aromatase, which causes overproduction of estrogen. Even more disturbing, it produced male frogs with TWO sets of each sex organ, meaning two sets of testes and two sets of ovaries. The voice box in male frogs also did not develop properly, indicating that testosterone was not being produced at appropriate levels for development. Normally, the male testes make testosterone. Atrazine “turns on” the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. As a result, the male frogs lose their testosterone; they're essentially chemically castrated, and are feminized as a result of the excessive estrogen being produced. Testing has revealed 85% of male smallmouth bass in 19 American wildlife refuges are carrying eggs. Like amphibians, smallmouth bass are known to be very sensitive to pollutants, hence, researchers use them as an “indicator species” when evaluating the ecological impact of environmental pollutants. In the case of water pollution with EDCs, the situation does indeed appear to be severe. The lowest incidence of feminization or intersex in the wildlife refuges tested was 60%. The highest was 100%.

On the whole, Hayes' research raises serious questions about human health effects. Atrazine may be involved in the development of breast cancer, for example, since many

breast cancers are triggered by the overproduction of estrogen and are regulated by the enzyme aromatase. As noted by Hayes, aromatase is so important in the development of breast cancer, the cancer drug Letrozole works by blocking aromatase, which in turn blocks estrogen production. Ironically, Letrozole is also produced by Syngenta, the same company that brought us atrazine. It should be obvious to anyone that “an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure,” but instead of addressing rising breast cancer rates by preventing exposure to the aromatase-inducing chemical (atrazine), Syngenta is allowed to make large profits by selling an aromatase-blocking treatment (Letrozole) instead. According to Hayes, research published by an international team of scientists, including himself, shows atrazine causes sexual reproductive problems in a wide range of animals, including mammals, birds and fish, not just amphibians, which was the focus of his earlier research. One study also linked atrazine exposure in utero to impaired sexual development in young boys, causing genital deformations, including microphallus (micropenis). The evidence also suggests atrazine exposure contributes to a number of different cancers, specifically ovarian cancer, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, hairy-cell leukemia and thyroid cancer. Elevated concentrations of atrazine in drinking water have been associated with birth defects, including abdominal defects, gastroschisis (in which the baby's intestines stick outside of the baby's body) and others.

In another interview (below), Hayes revealed that Syngenta initially tried to convince him to manipulate and misrepresent the data. When he refused, the company retaliated by refusing to grant him permission to publish the results. He also was not allowed to discuss the data outside a closed panel of Syngenta employees.

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After cutting ties with Syngenta in 2000, he obtained independent funding to repeat the research, which was subsequently published.

According to Hayes, atrazine: Induces breast cancer in females Induces prostate cancer in males Male fertility is reduced by as much as 50%, as the chemical produces holes in the testicular tissue. This has been shown in fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals Retards mammary (breast) development in females Induces abortion in female rodents Peer-reviewed studies also support the notion that atrazine poses similar threats to humans. Among female rodents exposed to atrazine, spontaneous abortions are common. And when abortion does not occur, the surviving male pups have higher rates of prostate disease — they're essentially born with an old man's disease — and female pups have impaired mammary development. When the surviving pups go on to reproduce, the following generation suffers impaired growth and development because the mother is unable to make enough milk due to impaired mammary development. Considering these generational effects, those of us who are exposed to this chemical today are affecting not only the health of our own children (predisposing them to obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and more), but also the health of our grandchildren's grandchildren. These chemicals not only cross the placenta, entering the baby while still in the womb, they also pass through breast milk. So whatever the mother is exposed to, the baby gets as well, even after they're born. “We are, in effect, polluting our children,” Chaffer says.

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Chaffer also touches on other hormone-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical so well-known for its estrogenic effects that it was even considered for use in synthetic hormone replacement therapy at one point. Despite this, and despite research showing it leaches from the plastic, BPA was used in hard plastic baby bottles and sippy cups. In 2010, the EU banned BPA in infant products such as these, recognizing that dosing infants with estrogen is a bad idea. Around the same time, Canada declared BPA a toxic substance and use of it in baby products has been banned there as well. The U.S. finally followed suit in 2012, banning BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) went on to reassert the safety of BPA in 2014, even when it comes into contact with, and migrates into, food. Based on the evidence, it is beyond irrational to conclude that this verdict is anything but the result of lobbying and the revolving door between the FDA and the chemical industry. Hence, BPA is still widely used in hard plastics, can liners, paper receipts and a wide variety of other plastic goods, so exposure continues to be widespread. EDCs such as BPA and BPS, dioxins, organophosphate and organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, phthalates and others, have been linked to: IQ loss and associated intellectual disability Autism Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Childhood and adult obesity Prostate and breast cancers Adult diabetes Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle) Male infertility Mortality associated with reduced testosterone Male and female reproductive dysfunctions Cardiopulmonary disease Immune dysregulation

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Syngenta and other atrazine proponents insist that atrazine is safe for the simple fact that it's been used for over 50 years and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has supported its safety. However, that may soon change. On June 6, 2016, the EPA released a risk assessment for atrazine, and it presents a far harsher view of the chemical. The risk assessment concluded the chemical causes reproductive harm to mammals, fish and birds, with the level of concern surpassed nearly 200-fold using real-world scenarios for mammals. For fish and birds, atrazine exceeded the level of concern by 62- and 22-fold, respectively.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 75% of the U.S. population has detectable levels of pesticides in their urine, and unless you're a farmer, your diet is one of the most likely routes of exposure, along with your drinking water. Eating organic is one of the best ways to lower your overall pesticide burden. The largest study of its kind found that people who "often or always" ate organic food had 65% lower levels of pesticide residues compared to those who ate the least amount of organic produce. Organic produce also had, on average, 180 times lower pesticide content than conventional produce. If food budget restrictions require you to prioritize, refer to the Dirty Dozen list and buy organic as much as possible when you're choosing foods that are listed as the most- contaminated. If you shop at farmers markets, which I strongly recommend, you can also ask the farmer directly about pesticide usage.

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It's possible to find produce that is not certified organic that still have a lower pesticide burden than typical conventional produce depending on the farmer. So if you can't find organic produce, look for a local farmer who has eliminated pesticide use (or uses a minimal amount of such chemicals).

Atrazine is the most commonly detected pesticide in U.S. water supplies, so I recommend filtering your tap water — both for drinking and bathing. To remove atrazine, make sure the filter is certified to remove it. Fortunately, since it is a relatively large organic molecule it is easily filtered by a quality carbon filter. Look for a filter certified by NSF International to meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard 53 for volatile organic compounds (VOC) reduction. This will significantly reduce your exposure to atrazine and other pesticides. Finally, if you know you have been exposed to pesticides, eat fermented foods like kimchi. The lactic acid bacteria formed during the fermentation of kimchi actually help your body break down pesticides. In addition, there is some evidence that the antioxidant lycopene, found in watermelon, tomatoes, red bell peppers and more, protects against some of atrazine's toxic effects.

While it is virtually impossible to avoid all chemical exposure, your diet, personal care and common household products likely pose the most immediate risk to your and your family's health. This is particularly true when it comes to hormone-disrupting chemicals. To limit your exposure to EDCs, keep the following guidelines in mind when shopping for food, personal care and household products.

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Avoid fast-food restaurant fare and processed goods. Eating a diet focused on locally grown, ideally organic and whole foods cooked from scratch will significantly limit your exposure to not only phthalates and BPA but also a wide array of other chemicals, including synthetic food additives and pesticides. Use natural cleaning products or make your own. Besides phthalates, avoid those containing 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE) and methoxydiglycol (DEGME) — two toxic glycol ethers that compromises your fertility and causes fetal harm. Buy products that come in glass bottles rather than plastic or cans; be aware that even "BPA-free" plastics typically leach other EDCs that are just as bad for you as BPA. Switch to organic toiletries, including shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. EWG's Skin Deep database can help you find personal care products that are free of phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals. Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, and avoid using plastic wrap as it too contains phthalates that migrate into your food (especially if you microwave food wrapped in plastic). Replace your vinyl shower curtain with a fabric one or glass doors. Use glass baby bottles and drinking bottles. Replace feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads) with safer alternatives. Filter your tap water for both drinking and bathing. If you can only afford to do one, filtering your bathing water is more important, as your skin absorbs contaminants . Under the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for DEHP of 0.006 mg/dL, or 6 ppb. Note that the Safe Drinking Water Act regulates DEHP levels only for public water supplies, not for well water.

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Filtering your water is also important to limit exposure to atrazine and fiuorinated firefighting chemicals, both of which are common drinking water contaminants in the U.S. Look for fragrance-free products. One artificial fragrance contains dozens of potentially toxic chemicals, including phthalates. Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which contain a mishmash of synthetic chemicals and fragrances. If you have PVC pipes, you may have DEHP leaching into your water supply. If you have PVC pipe from before 1977, you will definitely want to upgrade to a newer material. This "early-era" PVC pipe can leach a carcinogenic compound called vinyl chloride monomer into your water. Alternatives to PVC for water piping include ductile iron, high-density polyethylene, concrete, copper and PEX. Consider replacing vinyl fiooring with a "greener" material. Also avoid soft, fiexible plastic fiooring, such as those padded play-mat fioors for kids (often used in day cares and kindergartens), as there's a good chance it is made from phthalate- containing PVC. Read the labels and avoid anything containing phthalates. Besides DEHP, also look for DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), BzBP (benzyl butyl phthalate) and DMP (dimethyl phthalate). Also be wary of anything listing a "fragrance," which often includes phthalates. Make sure your baby's toys are BPA-free, such as pacifiers, teething rings and anything your child sucks or chews on — even books, which are often plasticized. It's advisable to avoid all plastic, especially fiexible varieties. Lastly, progesterone will minimize endocrine-disrupting chemicals' ability to activate your estrogen receptors, thus helping to reduce their impact on your biology. Below I will discuss the ideal way to use this natural anti-estrogen compound.

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Before you consider using progesterone, it is important to understand that it is not a magic bullet, and that you get the most benefit by implementing a Bioenergetic diet approach that allows you to effectively burn glucose as your primary fuel without backing up electrons in your mitochondria that reduces your energy production. My new book, “Your Guide to Cellular Health: Unlocking the Science of Longevity and Joy” comes out very soon and covers this process in great detail. Once you have dialed in your diet, an effective strategy that can help counteract estrogen excess is to take transmucosal progesterone (i.e., applied to your gums, not oral or transdermal), which is a natural estrogen antagonist. Progesterone is one of only four hormones I believe many adults can benefit from. (The other three are thyroid hormone T3, DHEA and pregnenolone.) I do not recommend transdermal progesterone, as your skin expresses high levels of 5- alpha reductase enzyme, which causes a significant portion of the progesterone you're taking to be irreversibly converted primarily into allopregnanolone and cannot be converted back into progesterone.

Please note that when progesterone is used transmucosally on your gums as I advise, the FDA believes that somehow converts it into a drug and prohibits any company from advising that on its label. This is why companies like Health Natura promotes their progesterone products as "topical." However, please understand that it is perfectly legal for any physician to recommend an off-label indication for a drug to their patient. In this case, progesterone is a natural hormone and not a drug and is very safe even in high doses. This is unlike synthetic progesterone called progestins that are used by drug companies, but frequently, and incorrectly, referred. Dr. Ray Peat has done the seminal work in progesterone and probably was the world's greatest expert on progesterone. He wrote his Ph.D. on estrogen in 1982 and spent most of his professional career documenting the need to counteract the dangers of excess estrogen with low LA diets and transmucosal progesterone supplementation. He determined that most solvents do not dissolve progesterone well and discovered that vitamin E is the best solvent to optimally provide progesterone in your tissue. Vitamin E also protects you against damage from LA. You just need to be very careful about which vitamin E you use as most supplemental vitamin E on the market is worse than worthless and will cause you harm not benefit. It is imperative to avoid using any synthetic vitamin E (alpha tocopherol acetate — the acetate indicates that it's synthetic). Natural vitamin E will be labeled "d alpha tocopherol." This is the pure D isomer, which is what your body can use. There are also other vitamin E isomers, and you want the complete spectrum of tocopherols and tocotrienols, specifically the beta, gamma, and delta types, in the effective D isomer. As an example of an ideal vitamin E, you can look at the label on our vitamin E in our store. You can use any brand that has a similar label. You can purchase pharmaceutical grade bioidentical progesterone as Progesterone Powder, Bioidentical Micronized Powder, 10 grams for about $40 on many online stores like Amazon. That is nearly a year's supply, depending on the dose you choose. However, you will need to purchase some small stainless steel measuring spoons as you will need a 1/64 tsp, which is 25 mg and a 1/32 tsp, which is 50 mg. A normal dose is typically 25-50 mg and is taken 30 minutes before bed, as it has an anti-cortisol function and will increase GABA levels for a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, this vendor frequently runs out of product, and if that's the case, then you can use Simply Progesterone by Health Natura . It's premixed with vitamin E and MCT oil. Again, while Health Natura states that its product is for “topical use only,” I recommend applying it transmucosally, by rubbing it on your gums. If you are a menstruating woman, you should take the progesterone during the luteal phase or the last half of your cycle, which can be determined by starting 10 days after the first day of your period and stopping the progesterone when your period starts. If you are a male or non-menstruating woman, you can take the progesterone every day for four to six months and then cycle off for one week. The best time of day to take progesterone is 30 minutes before bed as it has an anti-cortisol function and will increase GABA levels for a good night's sleep. This is what I have been personally doing for over a year with very good results. I am a physician so do not have any problems doing this. If you aren't a physician, you should consult one before using this therapy, as transmucosal progesterone therapy requires a doctor's prescription.

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If Common Chemicals Harm Frogs and Rats, What Are They Doing to Your Children?

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