Environmental Toxins and Human Reproductive

Hazards

Romulo S. de Villa, MD, PhD, Cert. Biochem.Molecular & Nutritional Oncologist

Professor of Biochemistry & Nutrition

Molecular Biology & Biotechnology Consultant

This material may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written permission of Dr. de Villa.

www.drdevilla.com

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1946 ‘50 ‘60 ‘70 ‘80 ‘90

Philippine Health Statistics, 1996 (Department of Health)

Communicable Disease

Diseases of the Heart and Malignant Neoplasms

Rate per 100,000 Population, Philippines, 1946-1996MORTALITY TREND

Communicable Disease

Diseases of the HeartMalignant Neoplasms

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Reason for Increasing Mortality from Non-communicable Disease

Agricultural Revolution Pollution of air, land and water

Industrial Revolution Pollution of air, land and water Production of organochlorine toxins

Mining Operations Pollution of air, land and water Heavy metal contamination

This material may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission of Dr. de Villa.

Reproductive Health Hazards

Physical Agents Heat Vibration Noise Radiation Maternal Trauma

Infections

Metabolic Imbalance

Drugs

Chemicals . . . . . . . . . .

Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic

Two Important Groups of Environmental Hazards

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

Chemicals and xenobiotics which can interfere with the body’s own hormones even in doses which are parts per trillion resulting in adverse effects to health, intelligence and behavior

Mechanism of Endocrine Disruptors

1. Alter the synthesis and breakdown of natural hormones.

2. Mimic the sex steroid hormones (estrogen and androgen) and bind to their natural receptors either as agonists or antagonists.

3. Modify the production and functioning of hormone receptors.

Endocrine Disruptors in the Home

Household ProductsBreakdown products of detergents and surfactants

Nonylphenol, Octylphenol

PesticidesDDT, endosulfan, atrazine, nitrofen, and tributyltin

PlasticsBisphenol A, Pthalates

Endocrine Disruptors in the Home

Industrial chemicals polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxin and

benzo(a)pyrene)

By products of incineration, paper production, and fuel combustion

Metals cadmium, lead, mercury

Adverse Effects of Endocrine Disruptors

Decrease sperm count

Testicular cancer

Hypospadias and cryptorchidism

Breast cancer

Deficits in intelligence and learning

Musculinization of female fetus

Feminization of male fetus

PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPS)

Carbon based synthetic chemicals which share four characteristics:

1.High toxicity

2.Persistence

3.Special affinity for fat

4.Propensity to evaporate and spread all over the world

12 Priority POPs

1. DDT

2. Aldrin

3. Dieldrin

4. Chlordane

5. Endrin

6. Heptachlor

7. Hexachlorobenzene

8. Mirex

9. Toxaphene

10. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

11. Dioxin

12. Furans

12 Priority POPs

DDTFor vector controlBanned in the Philippines since 1992

Aldrin, Dieldrin and Endrin Insecticide and termicideBanned in the Philippines

Chlordane Insecticide and termicideRestricted use as pesticide

12 Priority POPs

Heptachlor Insecticide and soil termicideBanned in the Philippines

HexachlorobenzeneFungicide used in fireworks, ammunition and synthetic

rubberBanned in the Philippines

Mirex Insecticide and fire retardantNever registered in the Philippines

12 Priority POPs

Toxaphene Insecticide in cropsControl of ticks and mites in livestockBanned in the Philippines

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)Heat exchange fluids in electric transformers,

paints additives, used in carbonless papers and in plastics

Stockpiles are still in the Philippines

12 Priority POPs

DioxinsByproducts of production of pesticides and

other chlorinated solvents

Furans

TOXINS IN THE HOME & WORK PLACE ENVIRONMENT OF WOMEN

POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS

PCBs are found in the following:

pesticides,

surface coatings,

inks,

adhesives,

paint retardants

paints

transformers

capacitors

air

drinking water

food (beef and pork meat, poultry and fish)

How PCBs Influence the Mother, Fetus & Baby

PCBs are: Rapidly absorbed thru the intestinal tract from

contaminated food and accumulate in the liverDistributed all over the bodyExcreted in breastmilkCross the placentaFound in amniotic fluid and fetal tissue Increase risk of cancers of digestive sytem,

liver and melanoma

DIOXINS

DioxinsHeterogenous mixture of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran congeners

Main sources are industrial and municipal incineration processes and contaminate the food chain

Animal models show antiestrogenic effect- decreased age of onset of puberty, PCOS, shortened lactation

DioxinsEvidence suggest effect on male reproductive health as well- cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer (?), sperm quality (?)

Lack of dataSpontaneous abortion (?)Fetal growth restriction (?)

PESTICIDES

Pesticides

Organophosphates

Carbamates

Pyrethroids

Rodenticides

Herbicides

Insecticides

PesticidesInsecticides

• Chlorinated hydrocarbons– DDT– Benzene hexachlorides (Lindane)– Cyclodienes (Aldrin)– Toxaphenes (Camphechlor)

• Organophosphates– Malathion– Parathion– Methylparathion– trichlorfon

Pesticides

Found in commercially available food products

Almost universal exposure to low concentrations

OTHER CHEMICAL TOXINS

2-butoxyethanol/ Ethylene glycol butyl ether

One of many glycol ethers used as a solvent in carpet cleaners and specialty cleaners

Can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and may cause blood disorders, as well as liver and kidney damage. May also cause reproductive damage with long-term exposure.

1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB)

Found in space deodorizing products, such as room fresheners, urinal cakes, toilet bowl fresheners and cleaning products it is also used as an insecticide for moth control.

Has been linked to a reduction in pulmonary function.

AlkylPhenol Ethoxylates (APEs)

Endocrine DisruptorsSurfactants

lower the surface tension of liquids and help cleaning solutions spread more easily over the surface to be cleaned and penetrate solids.

Found in detergents, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners

and laundry cleansers, self-care items including spermicides, sanitary

towels and disposable diapers.

Ethoxylated nonyl phenols (NPEs)

Nonyl Phenols are known as “gender-benders,” can induce female characteristics in male fish, The threat posed to the environment by nonyl

phenols prompted the European Union to ban them from all cleaning products manufactured or used in the EU. Still used in the U.S.

Toluene

Potent reproductive toxinUsed as a solvent in numerous products,

including paints. Sold also as the pure product and is listed

by California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a reproductive toxin that may cause harm to the developing fetus.

Pregnant women should avoid products containing toluene.

Xylene

Often found in graffiti and scuff removers, spray paints and

some adhesives.

A suspected reproductive toxin that has shown reproductive harm in laboratory

experiments,

Also a neurotoxicant can cause memory loss on repeated exposure.

Bleach (Sodium hypochlorite)

When bleach is mixed with acids (typically found in toilet bowl cleaners), it reacts with them to form chlorine gas. When it is mixed with ammonia, it can create chloramine gas, another toxic substance.

In the environment, sodium hypochlorite is acutely toxic to fish. The chlorine in bleach can also bind with organic material in the marine environment to form organochlorines, toxic compounds that can persist in the environment.

Phosphates

Most of the dishwashing products available from major manufacturers contain 30-40 per cent phosphates. Some also contain high levels of chlorine-based sanitizing ingredients.

StyreneStyrene is most commonly used in the manufacture of numerous plastics including plastic food wrap, insulated cups, carpet backing and PVC piping. Styrene is also found in floor waxes and metal polishes

Styrene is a known carcinogen as well as an endocrine disruptor. Exposure may affect the central nervous system, liver and reproductive system.

PhthalatesCommonly used in the manufacture of

plastics, used as carriers for perfumes and air fresheners and as skin penetration enhancers for products such as moisturizers.

These chemicals are classified as inert and as such no product-labeling requirements exist for phthalates.

They are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens, known to cause hormonal abnormalities, thyroid disorders, birth defects and reproductive problems.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Emitted as gases suspending themselves in the air. may have short- and long-term adverse health effects

Commonly include propane, butane, ethanol, phthalates and/or

formaldehydePose a variety of human health hazards

reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, liver toxins and carcinogens.

Present in perfumes, air fresheners, disinfectants and

deodorizers

Lead

Lead affects all organs of the bodyCVS - hypertensionRenal damageHepatotoxicityHematologic depressionPregnancy - low birth weight,

premature birth, miscarriage, stillbirth

Environmental tobacco smoke

Second-hand Smoke or Exhaled SmokeSmoke released from the smoldering end

of cigarettes, cigars and pipesComposed of >3,800 different chemical

compounds

Contains nicotine, a known neuroteratogen in experimental animals and by itself produces many effects of total tobacco smoke.

Environmental tobacco smoke

Clinical Effects:Babies:

Low birthweight or Small for gestational babies, Sudden infant death syndromeSpontaneous abortions, Perinatal deaths,

Children: Increased learning disorders, Behavioral and

attention deficit disordersLower respiratory tract infection, Middle ear effusion,

Asthma, Cancer

Environmental tobacco smoke

leading cause of environmentally induced morbidity and developmental diseases in children

Reproductive Health Effects

Delay or prevention of pregnancy (infertility)

Termination of pregnancy (abortion)

Decreased physical or mental health of the baby (mental retardation)

Malformations (congenital anomalies)

Cancer in children

Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic

Who’s Affected

Both males and femalesThe baby is from sperm of the male and

egg of the femaleMale and female hormones influencing

fertility can both be affectedMale can bring home chemical hazardGenetic changes in male and female can

be passed on later to the baby

Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic

Chemicals Hazardous to Reproductive Health

With established limits to exposureLead, Dibrochloropropane, Ethylene oxide,

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Clearly linked to reproductive effectsMercury, Glycol ethers, some

pharmaceuticals

Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic

Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances

List of 145, 000 chemicals (April 1999)6,000 reproductive

effectors1,000 have human data

General industrial and domestic chemicals, heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, disinfectants, gases and pharmaceuticals.

Workplace Reproductive Health Hazards, By: John T. Jankovic

PATH OF TOXINS: FROM ENVIRONMENT TO THE HUMAN BODY

PhotoChemical Smog

Air Pollution in the Philippines

Land Pollution

Guess What’s Coming Home to

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

PRESCRIPTION TO REDUCE CHEMICAL TOXIN EXPOSURE

Use Plain Soap and Water for Cleaning

Use flowers and their essential oils for aroma

Have charcoal canisters at the corners of the home.

Traffic Light of Nutrition

PROCESSING

Frying (lipid peroxides)

Baking (acrylamides)

Broiling (benzopyrene)

Microwaving (plastic)

Steaming

Boiling

Raw

Cook in coconut milk

Cook in curry

FOOD Pork & pork products

Crabs, shell, shrimps

Beef

Chicken

Fish (sea, scales, small)

Full cream powdered milk

Soft boiled eggs

Fruits & Vegetables

Whole Grain/Cereals

Beans, nuts, legumes

High 5 Diet

end

Diet Prescription for your Soul

Take 2 cups full of patience1 heartful of love2 handfuls of generosity1 dash of laughter

sprinkle with kindness

mix well with prayer

and serve everyone you meet

It has been a pleasure serving you all !

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