Sal's Place: Toxic Politicians

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Toxic Politicians

 

Environmental Defence in Toronto, Canada tested Ontario's political leaders for seven categories of environmental contaminants.  Recent news articles have reported that if anyone thought Ontario's political leaders were full of it, they now have incontrovertible proof!  Full of toxics that is!  Worse, the toxics found in their bodies showed higher pollution levels than the average person with over 40 contaminants found in each leader as compared to 32 in the average person.

 

It is impossible to live in an industrialized environment and not have pollution in our bodies.  Everyone is subject to this barrage of toxic pollution.  It is unavoidable.  However when does it become too much?  At what point do politicians need to begin to look at tighter regulations of these dangerous chemicals?

 

There were 46 toxic substances found in Ontario politicians that are associated with cancer, respiratory disorders, developmental problems, hormone disruption, and central nervous system damage.  Cancer is a leading killer; autism is on the rise; asthma is commonplace; multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia are becoming well known; the general health of the population appears to be declining.  The results of these tests should be alarming!

 

One of the chemicals found in politicians was a common lawn chemical used by many on their home lawns.  Through the use of these "home" chemicals, neighbors are unknowingly contaminating the air in neighborhoods where families live and children and pets play.  In a typical neighborhood, chances are someone is always applying these chemicals and adding to the environmental contaminants in each of us. 

 

Many of these pollutants are stored in adipose (fat) tissue and are not easily eliminated from the body, resulting in a gradual build up of these pollutants.  As the concentration of these chemicals increase, so does the toxic body burden.  This increases the chances of suffering illnesses and other symptoms. 

 

Many industries who pollute the environment with these chemicals are not regulated by government.  While politicians need to increase and enforce regulations, individuals can still make more informed choices by educating themselves.

 

Lawn chemicals, for example, are unnecessary.  Lawns only require seed, water, natural fertilizer, and mowing.  Any invasive weeds can be pulled or treated with salt or other safe and natural methods. Many industries exist to make money and advertise specifically to convince people they need these unnecessary products. A good way to determine if a product is really necessary is to research how long it's been on the market and what people did before the age of industry.  Often, grandma's cupboard was filled with natural and effective solutions to our modern day maladies.  Profits, power, and marketing attempt to convince us otherwise.  It takes a savvy consumer to see through the deception and make intelligent and healthy choices.  We created this world, but this world was not created for us.