Overview
According to Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz ―
There are numerous substances, both natural and synthetic, that can WREAK HAVOC with the biochemistry of the human body.
Usually, IT IS SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES THAT GET BLAMED FOR HEALTH CALAMITIES, despite the fact that, of the 60 million or so known chemicals in existence, only about one-tenth of one per cent are synthetic.
Yet synthetic chemicals are the ones that get most of the attention, and usually in a negative way.
We hear about « Toxic Chemicals » and « Poisonous Chemicals », usually in reference to pesticides, plastic components, cleaning agents or cosmetic ingredients.
Of course, ANY CHEMICAL CAN BE TOXIC depending on the extent and type of exposure, be it synthetic or natural.
There are numerous compounds, both natural and synthetic, which, if studied with great vigour, would raise concerns.
To get a picture of chemical diversity and complexity, consider something as simple as HONEY.
Use the HONEY to make cake and you will be generating dozens of more compounds, including hydroxymethylfurfural, a POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN !
The problem may not be synthetic chemicals as much as THE ZEAL WITH WHICH SOME RESEARCHERS ATTEMPT TO CONVERT AN ASSOCIATION INTO CAUSATION TO FIT AN IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA.
How Toxic Are
The Toxins That
Surround Us ?
January 27th, 2013
Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz
The Gazette
Selected And Adapted Excerpts
Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz is the Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society. He teaches a variety of courses in McGill’s Chemistry Department and in the Faculty of Medicine with emphasis on health issues, including aspects of Alternative Medicine.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
The Universe’s Chemistry Laboratory
We live in a large chemistry lab.
A very large one.
It’s called the universe.
It may not have shelves with neatly labelled bottles, but everything in it is made up of chemicals.
Including us.
We are nothing but a large bag of chemicals.
Thousands and thousands of them.
And they are constantly engaged in all sorts of reactions that, taken together, constitute life.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Goings-On In The Body
Amino acids link to make proteins, glucose is « burned » to produce energy, DNA instructs cells to make enzymes, neurotransmitters are synthesized, hormones are cranked out, toxins are eliminated and thousands of other processes churn out a stunning array of biochemicals needed for survival.
It stands to reason that, when dealing with such a complex system, sometimes A WRENCH GETS THROWN INTO THE WORKS −
It may be …
● a photon of ultraviolet light that causes a break in a strand of DNA
● a virus that takes over a cell’s machinery
● a compound that disrupts hormonal function
● a bit of pollen that triggers inappropriate immune activity
● a bacterium that spews out toxins
● a metal ion that impairs nerve cells, or
● a chemical that causes cells to multiply irregularly.
The more one learns about the GOINGS-ON IN THE BODY, and about all the things that can go wrong, the more remarkable it becomes that anyone is ever healthy.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Health Calamities
While sometimes the WRENCH THAT IS THROWN INTO THE WORKS can be identified, in most cases the specific trigger for a HEALTH CALAMITY remains a mystery.
Colds can be traced to a virus, an allergy may be pinpointed, and a bout of food poisoning may be linked to a bacterium.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Substances That May Wreak Havoc With Our Biochemistry ?!?!
But determining what caused the damage to a molecule of DNA that eventually resulted in cancer decades later is another story.
● Acrylamide in the potato chips ?
● Aflatoxin. Was it a trace of aflatoxin on a mouldy peanut ?
● Aristolochic acid in a dietary supplement ?
● Arsenic in rice ?
● Asbestos in the insulation ?
● Benzene from gasoline fumes ?
● Benzopyrene on that charred steak ?
● Chloroform in tap water ?
● Diesel exhaust on the street ?
● Estrogen. Could it have been the estrogen in the birth-control pill ?
● Formaldehyde in a cosmetic ?
● Naphthalene in mothballs ?
● Nitrosamines in hotdogs ?
● Pesticide residue on an apple?
● Phenylenediamine in hair dye ?
● Radon seeping into the basement ?
● Soot from the fireplace ?
Or was the cancer triggered by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, or the human papilloma virus ?
One could go on and on.
There are numerous substances, both natural and synthetic, that can WREAK HAVOC with our biochemistry.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Blaming Synthetic Substances
Usually, IT IS SYNTHETIC SUBSTANCES THAT GET BLAMED, despite the fact that, of the 60 million or so known chemicals in existence, only about one-tenth of one per cent are synthetic.
Yet these are the ones that get most of the attention, and usually in a negative way.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Toxic & Poisonous Chemicals
We hear about « Toxic Chemicals » and « Poisonous Chemicals », usually in reference to pesticides, plastic components, cleaning agents or cosmetic ingredients.
Of course, ANY CHEMICAL CAN BE TOXIC depending on the extent and type of exposure, be it synthetic or natural.
The MOST POTENT TOXIN KNOWN IS BOTULIN, produced by the Botulinum clostridium bacterium.
A FEW BILLIONTHS OF A GRAM OF BOTULIN, way too small to be seen, CAN BE LETHAL.
Ricin found in castor beans ― all it takes is an amount equivalent to HALF A GRAIN OF SAND.
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Exposure To A Huge Array Of Chemicals
The fact is we live in a fascinatingly complex chemical world.
Smell a cup of COFFEE and you sniff hundreds of compounds !
A whiff in the BATHROOM will add about 300.
A SINGLE MEAL will dump thousands and thousands of chemicals into your body, ranging from the proteins, sugars and fats that plants produce to allow their growth and development, to the pigments and scents they use to attract pollinators.
We are also EXPOSED TO A HUGE ARRAY OF CHEMICALS produced by industry, such as …
● Degreasers
● Dry-Cleaning Compounds
● Packaging Materials
● Paints
● Pesticides
● Plastic Additives
● Solvents
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Honey − Onslaught Of Chemical Terms
To get a picture of chemical diversity and complexity, consider something as simple as HONEY.
Everyone knows that basically it is composed of SUGAR and water.
But SUGAR is a general term for a variety of simple carbohydrates, the most familiar of which are sucrose, glucose and fructose.
But these are not the only SUGAR found in HONEY — not by a long shot.
There’s a long list of other SUGAR that includes ―
● Gentiobiose
● Kojibiose
● Maltose
● Maltulose
● Nigerose
● Raffinose
● Turanose
and many more SUGAR.
Then there are proteins, amino acids and various enzymes that include invertase, which converts sucrose to glucose and fructose, and amylase, which breaks starch down into smaller units.
There’s also glucose oxidase, which converts glucose to gluconolactone, which in turn yields gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
Catalase breaks down the peroxide formed by glucose oxidase to water and oxygen.
HONEY also contains trace amounts of the B vitamins riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, and Vitamin B6.
HONEY also has ascorbic acid ( Vitamin C ) and the minerals calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, selenium, chromium, and manganese.
Then, depending on what plants the bees have been visiting, there are all sorts of flavonoids, of which one, pinocembrin, is unique to honey and bee propolis.
There’s still more.
HONEY contains organic acids such as acetic, butanoic, formic, citric, succinic, lactic, malic, and pyroglutamic acids.
Use the HONEY to make cake and you’ll be generating dozens of more compounds, including hydroxymethylfurfural, a POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN !
The Wisdom of Dr. Joseph A. Schwarz
How Toxic Are The Toxins That Surround Us ?
Bisphenol A ( BPA ) − Not Likely Responsible For Horrors
By now you are asking yourself if there is a point to this ONSLAUGHT OF CHEMICAL TERMS.
There is.
It has to do with yet another chemical.
And that is bisphenol A ( BPA ), the plastic component that is pilloried on a daily basis.
It is said to cause … Brain Tumours, Disruption of Dopamine Activity, Heart Disease, Breast and Prostate Cancer, Impairment of Fetal Development, Metabolic Syndrome, Miscarriage, Obesity, Reproductive Problems, Sexual Dysfunction, and Thyroid Problems.
Here is my question ―
How can this one substance, bisphenol A (BPA), which chemically resembles so many of the thousands and thousands of compounds to which we are exposed on a regular basis, be RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THESE HORRORS ?
I suppose it is possible, but I think it is NOT LIKELY.
I would suggest that there are numerous compounds, both natural and synthetic, which, if studied with as much vigour as BPA has been, would raise similar concerns.
The problem may not be BPA as much as THE ZEAL WITH WHICH SOME RESEARCHERS ATTEMPT TO CONVERT AN ASSOCIATION INTO CAUSATION TO FIT AN IDEOLOGICAL AGENDA — while ignoring the fact that NONE OF THE MORE THAN 6,000 STUDIES OF BPA HAS SHOWN THAT IT CAUSES HARM TO THE AVERAGE CONSUMER.
As Stephen Hawking said −
The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.
Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz’s Biography
Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz is the Director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society.
Dr. Schwarcz teaches a variety of courses in McGill’s Chemistry Department and in the Faculty of Medicine with emphasis on health issues, including aspects of Alternative Medicine.
Dr. Schwarcz is well known for his informative and entertaining public lectures on topics ranging from the chemistry of love to the science of aging.
Using stage magic to make scientific points is one of his specialties.
Dr. Schwarcz has received numerous awards for teaching chemistry and for interpreting science for the public.
Among these are the Royal Society of Canada’s McNeil Award and the American Chemical Society’s prestigious Grady-Stack Award.
Previous winners of the Grady-Stack have included famed science writer Isaac Asimov, New York Times columnist Walter Sullivan and Don Herbert of TV’s « Mr. Wizard » fame.
Dr. Schwarcz is the only non-American ever to be honored with this prize.
His latest awards include the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming Medal, the Society of Chemical Industry’s Purvis Award, and the Chemical Institute of Canada’s Montreal Medal.
Dr. Schwarcz has appeared as « Dr. Joe » hundreds of times on the Canadian Discovery Channel, TV Ontario, Global Television, CBC-TV, CTV-TV, and various radio stations.
Dr. Schwarcz hosts the « Dr. Joe Show » on Montreal’s CJAD Radio every Sunday from 3-4 PM.
He also hosted « Science To Go », a series on the Discovery Channel that focused on common foods.
Dr. Schwarcz writes a weekly newspaper column in the Montreal Gazette entitled « The Right Chemistry », as well as a monthly column in Canadian Chemical News.
He was the chief consultant on the Reader’s Digest best sellers « Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal » and « The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs », and contributed the chemistry chapter to the best-selling « Mental Floss ».
His books « Radar, Hula Hoops and Playful Pigs », « The Genie in the Bottle », « That’s The Way The Cookie Crumbles », « Dr. Joe and What You Didn’t Know », « The Fly in the Ointment », « Let Them Eat Flax », « Brain Fuel », « An Apple A Day », « Science, Sense and Nonsense », « Dr. Joe’s Brain Sparks », and his latest, « Dr. Joe’s Health Lab » have all been best sellers.
The books have been translated into eleven languages and are sold around the world.
In November of 2011 the McGill Office for Science and Society under Dr. Schwarcz’s directorship received the largest gift ever in Canadian history, 5.5 million dollars, from philanthropist Lorne Trottier to further its work in promoting scientific education and critical thinking.
NORAHG is the National Organization Responding Against HUJE that seek to harm the Green space industry.
Communities and businesses are being HARMED and DESTROYED by PROHIBITIONS pest control products used in the Urban Landscape.
NORAHG morally represents the VAST SILENT MAJORITY of people associated with turf and ornamental plant maintenance who are OPPOSED to Anti Pesticide PROHIBITION and the CLOSURE or ABANDONMENT of green spaces under the RIDICULOUS PRETEXT of somehow « saving » the environment.
NORAHG is a NATIONAL NON PROFIT NON PARTISAN organization that does not accept money from corporations or governments or trade associations, and represents NO VESTED INTERESTS WHATSOEVER.
NORAHG is dedicated to reporting the work of RESPECTED and HIGHLY RATED EXPERTS who promote ENVIRONMENTAL REALISM and PESTICIDE TRUTHS.
NORAHG pledges to deliver comprehensive reports that are worthy of peoples’ time and of peoples’ concern, reports that might ordinarily never have breached the parapet.
NORAHG was the brainchild of William H. Gathercole and his colleagues in 1991. Mr. Gathercole is now retired, although his name continues to appear as founder.
For the original copy of this Force Of Nature Report, go to the following link …
NORAHG has archived more reports on THE WISDOM OF EXPERTS on The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
THE WISDOM Of AMES, Bruce N.
THE WISDOM OF AMES, BRUCE N. – HOLLAND – NO SUPPORT FOR CANCER EPIDEMIC – CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY – KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA – PART 2 – 2012 06 12 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF AMES, BRUCE N. – UPDATE – PESTICIDES IN HUMAN DIET – HIGH DOSES NOT RELEVANT TO LOW DOSES – 2011 08 30 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF AMES, BRUCE N. – WHELAN & ACSH – FOODS CONTAIN PESTICIDES CREATED NATURALLY BY PLANTS – 2010 08 05 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF AMES, BRUCE N. – DRYSDALE – SYSTEMATIC RANKING OF THE RELATIVE DANGERS OF CARCINOGENS – 2000 09 00 ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of CANADIAN CONSUMER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION ( CCSPA )
THE WISDOM OF CANADIAN CONSUMER SPECIALTY PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION – THE PUBLIC DOES NOT WANT PESTICIDE BANS ( Web-Page )
THE PUBLIC AND THE PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE INDUSTRY DO NOT WANT PESTICIDE BANS – PROVINCE OF ONTARIO – 2011 POLL REGARDING PROHIBITION ( Web-Page )
THE PUBLIC AND THE PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE INDUSTRY DO NOT WANT PESTICIDE BANS – PROVINCE OF MANITOBA – 2012 09 24 – LUNATIC-INFESTED GOVERNMENT WANTS ANTI-PESTICIDE PROHIBITION ( Reports )
THE WISDOM Of CHUDLEIGH, Ted
THE WISDOM OF CHUDLEIGH, TED – THE VOICE OF REASON FOR THE PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE INDUSTRY – ONTARIO PESTICIDE BAN MUST BE AMENDED ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of DRIESSEN, Paul K.
THE WISDOM OF DRIESSEN, PAUL K. – DDT AND POLITICIZED SCIENCE – GREENS LIE, AFRICANS DIE – 2011 01 14 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF DRIESSEN, PAUL K. – DDT AND POLITICIZED SCIENCE – NAMIBIA – MICHAEL CRICHTON – GEORGE W. BUSH – 2010 11 11 ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of DRYSDALE, Art C.
THE WISDOM OF DRYSDALE, ART C. – PROFILE & REPORTS ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF DRYSDALE, ART C. – AUDIO RECORDINGS – PART 1 – AUTUMN to MISCELLANEOUS ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF DRYSDALE, ART C. – AUDIO RECORDINGS – PART 2 – ORCHIDS to WINTER ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF DRYSDALE, ART C. – RE-DIRECT LINKS TO REPORTS AND AUDIO RECORDINGS ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of EDWARDS, J. Gordon
THE WISDOM OF EDWARDS, J. GORDON – RACHEL CARSON – THE QUEEN OF JUNK SCIENCE – WRONG – 2010 05 26 ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of HEPWORTH, Lorne
THE WISDOM OF HEPWORTH, LORNE – THE NATION'S MOST EFFECTIVE AND CONSISTENT SPOKESMAN – CROPLIFE CANADA ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of HOLLAND, John J.
THE WISDOM OF HOLLAND, JOHN J. – THE NATION'S MOST ELOQUENT AND INTELLIGENT WRITER ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of MAINS, Howard
THE WISDOM OF MAINS, HOWARD ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of RITTER, Leonard
THE WISDOM OF RITTER, LEONARD – PESTICIDES DON'T CAUSE CANCER – MYTH-BUSTING – 2012 01 26 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF RITTER, LEONARD – INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL PLANT MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ( IEPMA ) – KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA – 2010 01 28 ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of SOLOMON, Keith R.
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMONS, KEITH R. AND SANDRA ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON, KEITH R. – BRITISH COLUMBIA SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON COSMETIC PESTICIDES – 2011 11 08 ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON, KEITH R. – HOLLAND – PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE – 2011 10 00 ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of TAYLOR, Peter Shawn
THE WISDOM OF TAYLOR, PETER SHAWN — 2012 08 02 — SPEAKING OUT — NATURAL GRASS ON PATH TO EXTINCTION — ONTARIO ( Reports )
THE WISDOM OF TAYLOR, PETER SHAWN — 2012 08 02 — SPEAKING OUT — NATURAL GRASS SPORTS FIELDS ARE ON PATH TO EXTINCTION — ONTARIO ( Report )
THE WISDOM OF TAYLOR, PETER SHAWN — — 2010 05 17 — CARNAGE — KEEPING ONTARIO UGLY ( Report )
THE WISDOM Of THE FRASER INSTITUTE
THE WISDOM OF THE FRASER INSTITUTE – DR. JOEL WOOD ( Web-Page )
THE WISDOM Of WHELAN, ELIZABETH M. and AMERICAN COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH
THE WISDOM OF WHELAN, ELIZABETH M. AND AMERICAN COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND HEALTH ( ACSH ) – DR. GILBERT L. ROSS – PROFESSOR ALLAN S. FELSOT ( Web-Page )
NORAHG has archived more information on The Pesticide Truths Web-Site …
THE PESTICIDE TRUTHS WEB-SITE
PESTICIDE BANS ARE A FARCE ( Report )
REAL TRENDS AGAINST PESTICIDE BANS ( Web-Page )
CARNAGE CAUSED BY CATASTROPHIC ANTI-PESTICIDE PROHIBITION – MAIN WEB-PAGE
CARNAGE CAUSED BY CATASTROPHIC ANTI-PESTICIDE PROHIBITION – RE-DIRECT LINKS ( Web-Page )
GOLF DESTRUCTION – GOLF IS NEXT ( Web-Page )
WHITE PAPER – THE MYTHS ABOUT BANNING PESTICIDES ( Part 2 ) – LEADING SCIENTIFIC HEALTH AND POLICY EXPERTS
COMPLAINT CHANNELS – COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ANTI-PESTICIDE LUNATICS ( Web-Page )
THE COMPLETE LIBRARY OF REPORTS & REFERENCES ( Web-Page )
PESTICIDE TRUTHS REPORTS ( Web-Page )
