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Even Low Levels of Common Toxins May be a
Danger
(NY, Reuters Health, 10/25/05)
Dr. Donald Wigle, of the University of Ottawa in Canada,
and Dr. Bruce Lanphear of Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center in Ohio contend that more must be done to
protect people from the most common environmental toxins—lead,
radon, tobacco smoke and byproducts of drinking water
disinfection. While the US and Canada have made progress
toward minimizing lead exposure, it is still of some concern.
Of even greater concern are the byproducts that form when
chlorine is used to disinfect water, since these chemicals
have been linked to miscarriages and bladder cancer. And both
tobacco smoke and radon, a natural radioactive gas, are
associated with lung cancer. The scientists warn that even low
(supposedly safe) levels of exposure to any of these
substances can be harmful.
(PloS Medicine, December 2005) |