Calgary Natural Health: 6 Hidden toxins that are making you sick



Posted: Tuesday, August 18, 2009

by Mike Lucas
Enervibe.ca

As one of the leading Natural Health experts in Calgary we know many secrets to healthy living. Do you know the 6 hidden sources of toxins that may be lurking in your home? These toxins affect everyone although some people are more sensitive to their negative effects.

Some of these toxin sources may be familiar some may be surprising all can be deadly.

1. Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used to manufacture building materials and to produce many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials. Formaldehyde has been classified as a known human carcinogen .

2. Phthalates, called "plasticizers," are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics more flexible or resilient. Phthalates have been found to disrupt the endocrine system. Several phthalate compounds have caused reduced sperm counts, testicular atrophy and structural abnormalities in the reproductive systems of male test animals, and some studies also link phthalates to liver cancer.

3. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a very distinct odor. This odor is familiar to many people because ammonia is used in smelling salts, many household and industrial cleaners, and window-cleaning products. Ammonia is applied directly into soil on farm fields, and is used to make fertilizers for farm crops, lawns, and plants. Many household and industrial cleaners contain ammonia . Exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns on the skin and in the mouth, throat, lungs, and eyes. At very high levels, ammonia can even cause death.

4. Mold and Fungus can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold and fungus growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed.

Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis

5. You can't see or smell Carbon Monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result.

6. Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR'S ) are added to materials to both inhibit their ignition and slow their rate of combustion They are applied to prevent electronics, clothes and furniture from catching fire They have know toxic properties, are highly resistant to degradation in the environment and are able to bioaccumulate (build up in animals and humans) adversely affecting optimal health.

While eliminating ALL exposure to chemicals is virtually impossible, we can do a lot to remove the sources of toxins from our lifestyles, resulting in feeling better, looking younger, and becoming sick less often. Identifying potential causes of disease and ill health is the first step.

 Over the last 6 years, Mike has been able to turn his life around from being overly fatigued, stressed, and frequently sick, to being energetic, healthy, and rarely sick. During this time Mike discovered that he had developed food allergies, and sensitivity to chemicals. Thus he embarked on a mission to eliminate chemicals from his life, which he discovered was easier said than done. Now that he have been through this, Mike wants to help others do the same, so they might not have to go through what he had to. It was a very difficult period in his life.

Hear more about Mike's findings at Calgary Air Testing - Enervibe or follow his blog at http://health2success.blogspot.com/

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by JL
from US 2 years 266 days ago.
I think it would be easier to ask what doesn't harm us. It would be a shorter list in these times. Thanks for the information.
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