Thallium.

Arsenic.

PCB’s.

Cadmium.

Molybdenum.

Chlordane.

Were these toxin’s found in a toxic dump somewhere?

No!

They were found in waste sludge used to fertilize land, and milk from the cows that grazed that land. This AP story lays out the whole scoop. Read it. Please. You will be shocked and awed. And sickened. These toxins were found in up to 2,500 times the federal health standards. The cows, by the way, died.

To make matters worse, according to the AP story, the EPA knew of the thallium. molybdenum and cadmium contamination of the milk but did nothing, so it continued to be sold.

I am appalled, outraged…and unfortunately…not surprised.

We are living with an epidemic of health problems that don’t have clear answers. Things like autism, chronic fatigue, thyroid disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

But, one thing is clear. We are also living in an environment that is full of toxins. And, if we don’t ask the right questions about what the connections might be, we won’t get the right answers.

Body burden studies are showing again and again that Americans are full of multiple heavy metals and industrial toxins. Environmentally minded health care professionals are leading the way into understanding that the toxic burdens that we carry have a real affect on health.

If findings like these don’t make a case for being careful about what we do in our environment…well, we don’t know what would.

It also makes a good case for individual testing for body burden of toxins and appropriate avoidance and detoxification efforts. Toxins have an ability to interfere with the biochemical machinery of our bodies and the ability to alter our DNA.

If we want to have any control over our health destiny, we must start to pay attention to this overwhelming health threat.

Excuse me while I go find a patch of fresh air and let out a big scream.

Then maybe I’ll take some big breaths and realize that we have the power to eat food that is grown by organic farmers that we know have made it their special quest to avoid any kind of toxins. Because they just don’t trust the status quo. Though, I realize that is easier to come by for some people than it is for others. My hope is that will change.

And, we have the ability to reduce toxins in our environment if we are simply aware that they need to be reduced.

I feel better now. A little.

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