Exposure
According to IPEN (International POPs elimination network), exposure to POPs is a fairly common phenomenon. Commercial food productions may use the POPs containing pesticides to help fend off insects from their crops. People who consume fish may have been exposed to POPs due to several counts of contamination in oceans and lakes. Even the air we breathe is tainted with traces of POPs. These chemicals begin to store in the fat of our bodies and eventually are transferred to our children. Even an unborn child is not safe when it comes to POPs. If the mother has been exposed to any of these chemicals, the child will have an exposure to them as well. Also, the IPEN states that breast milk contains traces of POPs; so a newborn child would be repeatedly exposed through breast milk. High levels of exposure to these chemicals may create several diseases and defects on the body. Here is a list and brief description of the effects provided by IPEN. These diseases are separated into four categories: cancer based diseases, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, and non-categorical diseases caused by POPs.
According to IPEN (International POPs elimination network), exposure to POPs is a fairly common phenomenon. Commercial food productions may use the POPs containing pesticides to help fend off insects from their crops. People who consume fish may have been exposed to POPs due to several counts of contamination in oceans and lakes. Even the air we breathe is tainted with traces of POPs. These chemicals begin to store in the fat of our bodies and eventually are transferred to our children. Even an unborn child is not safe when it comes to POPs. If the mother has been exposed to any of these chemicals, the child will have an exposure to them as well. Also, the IPEN states that breast milk contains traces of POPs; so a newborn child would be repeatedly exposed through breast milk. High levels of exposure to these chemicals may create several diseases and defects on the body. Here is a list and brief description of the effects provided by IPEN. These diseases are separated into four categories: cancer based diseases, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, and non-categorical diseases caused by POPs.
Cancers
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Soft tissue Sarcoma is a tumor like cancer that happens within the confines of the soft tissue. The inflicted area begins to swell, forming a lump. According to the Mayo Clinic, soft tissue of the body are nerves, tendons muscles, blood vessels fat and other soft like tissue. |
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes and lymphocytes in an individual's body. Lymph nodes are small organs that are placed throughout the human body (as seen above). The Lymphocytes are liquids within the lymph nodes that help regulate the immune system. Both the lymph nodes and lymphocytes have a very important role in immune system their job in the human body is to fight against harmful bacteria and viruses that enter the body. There are two types of Lymphocytes within the immune system. The B lymphocytes are the creators of antibodies that determine the destruction of bacteria and viruses and T lymphocytes are the lymphocytes that take down the harmful bacteria or virus, thus ridding the body of any harmful microbial substances.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes and lymphocytes in an individual's body. Lymph nodes are small organs that are placed throughout the human body (as seen above). The Lymphocytes are liquids within the lymph nodes that help regulate the immune system. Both the lymph nodes and lymphocytes have a very important role in immune system their job in the human body is to fight against harmful bacteria and viruses that enter the body. There are two types of Lymphocytes within the immune system. The B lymphocytes are the creators of antibodies that determine the destruction of bacteria and viruses and T lymphocytes are the lymphocytes that take down the harmful bacteria or virus, thus ridding the body of any harmful microbial substances.
Leukemia
Leukemia is also a cancer that can affect the Lymphocytes and other white blood cells in an individual's body. Verneda Lights and Elizabeth Boskey, PhD reported in their 2012 article about the types of Leukemia and their corresponding symptoms. According to Lights and Boskey, PhD, Leukemia happens when abnormalities begin to form within the confines of the white blood cells. These abnormal blood cells spread and eventually outnumber normal white blood cells. Leukemia creates debilitating symptoms such as severe weakness, reoccurring infection, and a rash like redness of the skin.
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissue of the breast.The National Breast Cancer Foundation states in their website that breast cancer spreads similar to a variety of other cancers. The cancer begins as a malfunction in the DNA which creates an abnormal cell.These abnormal cells grow and do not work as well as normal functioning cells and many times they do not terminate (die) like normal cells, thus creating a massive blockage of cells that form a lump.
Pancreatic Cancer
The pancreas is an organ that is responsible for healthy digestion and hormone secretion. The American Cancer Society states that there are two parts of the pancreas each serving a different and important role. The exocrine mixes bile from the liver with its own digestive liquids to help support a healthy digestion. The Endocrine is responsible for the excretion of hormones in the body. Notably, these are two distinct and very important jobs for the pancreas, this is why Pancreas cancer is so debilitating. |
Neurological Disorders
As stated in the IPEN website, neurological disorders possibly linked to persistent organic pollutants are aggression, attention deficit and a smaller memory capacities. However, The Environmental Performance Index suggests that POPs also may be affiliated with hand tremors, which is the shaking or convulsions of hands even at a resting state.
Reproductive Issues
The IPEN states that several reproductive disorders may be linked to POPs. People who have been exposed to POPs have a higher risk of having deformities in sperm, premature births, altered periods of lactation during pregnancy, menstruation in women, and uneven sex-ratios. According to a 2011 article written by Metrecia L. Terrell, Kathleen P. Hartnett and Michele Marcus, there are several different POPs that could affect the ratio of male births to female births globally. This article states that parents that were exposed to high levels of dioxins were more likely to give birth to a female. If the parents were exposed to elevated levels of PCBs were more likely to give birth to males.
Non-Categorical Diseases
Cirrhosis of the Liver Cirrhosis of the liver happens when the tissue of an individual’s liver begins to replace healthy tissue with a thick scar like tissue. Having Cirrhosis of the liver, the Liver slowly is engulfed with this scar like tissue, and slows or even inhibits some of the Liver’s functions due to lack of blood flow, thus creating several uncomfortable symptoms. According to WebMD, symptoms of the Cirrhosis of the liver include jaundice (the yellowing of an individuals skin or eyes), bruising, blood in feces, and itchiness of the skin. |
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a female disorder that happens when the tissue that normally grows as the inner layer of the uterus begins to form outside the uterus. The Mayo Clinic states that every month during the menstrual cycle the inner walls of the uterus shed and bleed through the cervix. The inner layer of the uterus that has migrated outside of the uterus also sheds and bleeds but is trapped with in the body because of this, the uterine layer migrates to other parts of the pelvis and in some rare cases, throughout the body. Endometriosis worsens with time, but there are medical ways to treat it.
Endometriosis is a female disorder that happens when the tissue that normally grows as the inner layer of the uterus begins to form outside the uterus. The Mayo Clinic states that every month during the menstrual cycle the inner walls of the uterus shed and bleed through the cervix. The inner layer of the uterus that has migrated outside of the uterus also sheds and bleeds but is trapped with in the body because of this, the uterine layer migrates to other parts of the pelvis and in some rare cases, throughout the body. Endometriosis worsens with time, but there are medical ways to treat it.
Type Two Diabetes
Type two Diabetes is a disease due to irregular insulin in the body. The American Diabetes Association states that insulin is excreted into the body through the pancreas. When the pancreas excretes too much or too little insulin, the body realizes and reacts accordingly. Some symptoms are nerve issues (numbness or tingling in hands and feet) and skin issues and eye problems. Joe Pizzorno in the 2012 Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine ( AARM) researched and found significant data supporting the association between type two diabetes and POPs. Within the conference, Pizzorno states that the common association between obesity and type two diabetes is contrary to his findings. Those who were considered obese with low levels of POPs within their body did not have diabetes than those who were obese with elevated levels of POPs in their system. More of this conference can be viewed on the right hand side of your screen. |
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Acknowledgements
Youtube Video
RestorativeMedicine (2012, February 12) Joe Pizzorno - Toxic Metal and Persistent Organic Pollutants – AARM Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-xVJUR6uz8
Illustration of Pancreatic Cancer Retrieved from:
Picture of Cirrhosis of the Liver Retrieved from: http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/~/media/ADAM/Images/en/8849.ashx
http://www.yumeee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Pancreatic_Cancer_image2.jpg
Picture of Lymphatic System Retrieved from:
http://www.redorbit.com/media/uploads/2013/03/lymphatic-system.jpg
Title Picture Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/37009-human-body.html
Youtube Video
RestorativeMedicine (2012, February 12) Joe Pizzorno - Toxic Metal and Persistent Organic Pollutants – AARM Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-xVJUR6uz8
Illustration of Pancreatic Cancer Retrieved from:
Picture of Cirrhosis of the Liver Retrieved from: http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/~/media/ADAM/Images/en/8849.ashx
http://www.yumeee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Pancreatic_Cancer_image2.jpg
Picture of Lymphatic System Retrieved from:
http://www.redorbit.com/media/uploads/2013/03/lymphatic-system.jpg
Title Picture Retrieved from: http://www.livescience.com/37009-human-body.html