MovieChat Forums > The Human Experiment (2015) Discussion > Chemicals in our environment

Chemicals in our environment


I haven't seen the film yet (look forward to watching it!), but I agree with its premise, that products all around us are contaminated with toxic chemicals, because noone is protecting us from them, and it's hard to know what is in all products. For example, about a year or two ago, I ordered a PIlates reformer from QVC. When it arrived, it had a strong toxic chemical odor. I looked at the manual for this made-in-China product, and sure enough, on page 2, there was a disclaimer:

"Warning: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm."

My suspicions confirmed. (Ironically, the front of the manual said: "AeroPilates: less stress | more heart." I guess they forgot to add: "More disease.")

I sent the reformer back right away.

I'm glad that at least one state, California, looks out for its residents. But what about the rest of us?

When it comes to cosmetics and personal care products, I look them up on CosmeticDatabase.com before buying them.

But when it comes to foods, there is no way to know which items are loaded with toxic heavy metals, as news articles have said rice is (with arsenic) and other news articles have said raw cacao powder, sunflower seeds, and other foods are (with cadmium).

I have also heard that some veg caps are made with carrageenan, which is harmful to health. But the product labels simply say "veg caps."

I hope more and more people will see this film, The Human Experiment," and that the U.S. will come up with ways to protect us, at the very least with labels telling us what exactly is in products, but better yet to prevent all of this contamination in the first place.

Judy Pokras
editor/founder
RawFoodsNewsMagazine.com

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Judy, another source to look at is a compilation of chemicals in what was a couple of volumes called the ACGIH (American conference of governmental industrial hygienists) there are levels of exposure recommendations in these volumes for individual chemicals that have been established. I levels are used to determine exposure safety in workplace environments. These are recommendations and not always considered to be law enforced by OSHA agencies in each state. Sometimes the exposure limits are adapted by the agencies that enforce the workplace safety, probably because it is the only data available concerning the chemical at hand. Hope this helps.

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Look up the toxic chemicals in your cellphone and/or computer. Many of those are known to cause cancer as well. And the rare Earth metals in cellphones are mined in horrible conditions in countries that have lax environmental standards.

Now, knowing this information... will you still choose to use your cell phone and/or computer? Or will you stop using them in order to protect yourself and your family?

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Even more awesome, something like 5 to 10 percent of products, including food, could be counterfeit. This is more likely with high value items, so be really wary of bargain-priced coconut oil and the like.

Another awesome thing: men and women can have different reactions to substances, yet it hasn't been standard practice to test stuff on both genders.

Personally, I'm curious about what effect those laundry scents that stink up entire neighbourhoods have when they are inhaled by the household, or are absorbed through skin contact.

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Bernie Sanders respects the environment and the right of all people to be in good health. He is opposed to GMO food (unlike Hillary, who is in bed with Monsanto). I am doing all that I can to see that he becomes our next president. #StillSanders #NeverHillary

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