Xenobiotics are any chemicals that
are foreign to a living organism. This means they are not normally part of an
organism’s food nor necessary for life. These chemicals are often carcinogenic
and if they don’t cause immediate harmful effects, over time they will cause
the health of an organism to deteriorate. These foreign chemicals are found in
our food and water supply, packaging, and personal care products.
There are various sources of these
xenobiotics in the food and water supply. They come from herbicide and
pesticide use from farming operations. They come from antibiotic and hormone
usage in industrial animal farming operations. They also come from the
pharmaceutical industry with a full assortment of various foreign chemicals
such as birth control pills which add estrogens to the water supply. There is
also chemical waste from factories as well as endocrine disrupting chemicals
such as BPA in plastics and even infant formula cans. Personal care items such
as lotions, hair spray and toothpaste contain xenobiotics such as parabens and
flouride. Jet fuel is a large problem along with perchlorate from rocket fuel,
largely due to military activities and exercises. Many fighter pilots will
simply dump excess jet fuel over an agricultural field to reduce weight for
landing as a common practice.
Xenobiotics have infiltrated all
aspects of the food and water supply. Streams, lakes, ponds, and the ocean all
have some level of these chemicals. The earth in many areas is saturated with
these chemicals and therefore the groundwater is contaminated as well. Much of these foreign chemicals are taken up
by the roots of agricultural crops or are absorbed directly from spraying. The
crop then transfers this often carcinogenic substance to it’s fruit, berry or
grain before it is consumed by an unaware consumer. These contaminated grains
can also be eaten by animals which tend to concentrate these pollutants in
their fat and muscle tissues, and excrete them as waste as well. Foreign
chemicals are also found in ordinary tap water and some levels are often
allowed. Most water supplies are not required to test for pharmaceutical
pollutants, nor have a means to get rid of them.
The best way to reduce your
exposure to these pollutants is to buy organic produce and from a trusted
source. Generally speaking, the most trusted source is your local farmer or
even your own backyard. Another way to reduce exposure is to avoid drinking tap water
and drink only spring or purified, filtered water. Avoid all Styrofoam and
plastic packaging, storage, and especially plastic water bottles. Find a good
ceramic or stainless steel water bottle to carry water and other beverages in.
Try to find local, pasture raised meats which will have been fed a lower amount
of grain than a CAFO or industrial agricultural animal would have consumed.
Some local farms even use only organic feeds as well for an added layer of
protection. Try to use all natural creams, lotions, and toothpastes to reduce
exposure to toxins and chemicals on the skin and body. One extreme solution,
and may be necessary in some cases, would be to move altogether to a location
that is cleaner, away from environmental pollutants, has a better water supply,
and more access to organic foods.
For more information, here is a great website: http://www.ewg.org/
