This is the most significant issue I have with MCS/ES, the ways my brain (and functioning) are affected from exposures to chemicals in everyday products.
I suspect (and I am not the only one) that some of the bigger problems we are seeing in society now, are due to widespread neuro-toxic chemicals (in addition to wireless radiation) affecting too many people’s ability to think clearly.
Philippe Grandjean:
Our intelligence depends on the integrity of the complete organ. Even subtle effects, such as memory deficits, attention problems, or motor dysfunction, can seriously impact on our health. Thus, the brain differs substantially from other important organs, such as the kidney or the liver, where we can lead successful lives without maximal function…
Our brain functions are valuable to ourselves and to society. Data on exposures to lead, mercury, and pesticides suggest that the losses to society amount to hundreds of billions of dollars every year. This calculation is based solely on losses of income and does not take into account less tangible damages associated with chemical brain drain
Known chemical brain drainers
(chemicals known to cause brain toxicity and neurological symptoms in humans)
Someone needs to check IFRA’s list of ingredients to see how many of these are used in fragrances, I think too many…
This page provides a list of industrial chemicals known to cause brain toxicity and neurological symptoms in humans (generally in adults), thus proving that the substance can reach the brain and exert toxicity to brain cells. Substances that are considered high-production volume (US, EU, or OECD) are labeled with an asterisk (*). The first version was developed in collaboration with Professor Philip Landrigan and published in The Lancet in 2006. This list of 214 compounds (as of 2013) is not meant to be exhaustive but includes substances that are known by now to cause adverse effects on the human nervous system.
This following list is from: http://braindrain.dk/known-chemical-brain-drainers/
| Metals and Inorganic Compounds | Pesticides |
|---|---|
| Aluminum Arsenic and arsenic compounds Azides Barium compounds Bismuth compounds Carbon monoxide* Cyanides Decaborane Diborane Ethylmercury Fluorides Hydrogen phosphide Hydrogen sulfide* Lead and lead compounds* Lithium compounds Manganese and manganese compounds* Mercury and mercuric compounds Methylmercury Nickel carbonyl Pentaborane Phosphine Phosphorus* Selenium compounds Tellurium compounds Thallium compounds Tin compounds* |
Acetamiprid Aldicarb (Temik) Aldrin Amitraz Avermectin Bensulide Bromophos (Brofene) Carbaryl (Sevin)* Carbofuran (Furadan)* Carbophenothion (Trithion) α-Chloralose Chlordane Chlorfenvinphos Chlormephos Chlorothion Chlorpyrifos (Dursban, Lorsban)* Coumaphos Cyhalothrin (Karate) Cyolane (Phospholan) Cypermethrin Deltamethrin (Decamethrin) Demeton-S-methyl Dialifor Diazinon* Dichlofenthion Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)* 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D)* 1,3-Dichloropropene* Dichlorvos (DDVP, Vapona) Dieldrin Dimefox Dimethoate* 4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol Dinoseb* Dioxathion Disulfoton Edifenphos Emamectin Endosulfan (Thiodan)* Endothion Endrin Ethiofencarb (Croneton) Ethion Ethoprop O-Ethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phenylphosphonothioate (EPN) Fenitrothion Fensulfothion Fenthion* Fenvalerate Fipronil (Termidor) Fonofos Formothion Glyphosate Heptachlor Heptenophos Hexachlorobenzene* Hexaconazole Imidacloprid Isobenzan Isolan Isoxathion Kepone (Chlordecone) Leptophos Lindane (γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane)* Merphos* Metaldehyde* Methamidophos* Methidathion (Suprathion) Methomyl Methyl bromide* Methyl parathion (Parathion-methyl)* Mevinphos Mexacarbate (Zectran) Mipafox Mirex Monocrotophos Naled Nicotine Oxydemeton-methyl Parathion* Pentachlorophenol Phorate Phosphamidon (Dimecron) Propaphos Propoxur (Baygon)* Pyriminil (Pyrinuron, Vacor) Sarin Schradan Soman Sulprofos Systox (Demeton) Tebupirimfos Tefluthrin Terbufos Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (Tetramine)** Thiram* Toxaphene 2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) Trichlorfon Trichloronate**Added after “Only One Chance” went to press |
| Organic Solvents | |
| Acetone* Benzene* Benzyl alcohol* 1-Bromopropane* Carbon disulfide* Chloroform* Cyclohexane* Cyclohexanol* Cyclohexanone* 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) 1,2-Dibromoethane* Dichloroacetic acid Dichloromethane* Diethylene glycol* N,N-Dimethylformamide* Ethanol (Alcohol)* Ethyl acetate* Ethyl chloride Ethylene glycol* Ethylene glycol ethyl ether (Ethoxyethanol)* Ethylene glycol methyl ether (Methoxyethanol or Methyl cellosolve)* n-Hexane* Isophorone* Isopropyl alcohol* Methanol (Methyl alcohol)* Methyl-n-butyl ketone (2-Hexanone) Methylcyclopentane Methyl ethyl ketone* Methyl isobutyl ketone* 2-Methylpropanenitrile* Nitrobenzene* 2-Nitropropane* 1-Pentanol* Pyridine* Styrene* 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane* Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)* Toluene* 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (Methylchloroform)* Trichloroethylene* Xylene*compounds* |
|
| Other Organic Substances | |
| Acetone cyanohydrin (2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropanenitrile)* Acrylamide (2-Propenamide) * Acrylonitrile* Allyl chloride (1-Chloro-2-propene)* Aniline* 1,4-Benzenediamine (4-Aminoaniline)* 1,2-Benzenedicarbonitrile (1,2-Dicyanobenzene)* Benzonitrile* 1,3-Butadiene* Butylated triphenyl phosphate* Caprolactam (Azepan-2-one)* Chloroprene* Cumene* Cyclonite (RDX)* Diethylene glycol diacrylate* Di-N-butyl phthalate* Dimethyl sulfate* Dimethylhydrazine* 3-(Dimethylamino)-propanenitrile* Dinitrobenzene* Dinitrotoluene* Ethylbis(2-chloroethyl)amine Ethylene Ethylene oxide* Fluoroacetamide Fluoroacetate* Hexachlorophene Hydrazine* Hydroquinone* Methyl chloride (Chloromethane)* Methyl formate* Methyl iodide Methyl methacrylate* 4-Nitroaniline* Phenol* Phenylhydrazine Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 1,2-Propylene oxide* 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) Tributyl phosphate* Tri-o-cresylphosphate Trimethyl phosphate Triphenyl phosphate* Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine (Trichlormethine) Vinyl chloride (Chloroethene)* |
♦
Brain Diseases Affecting More People Earlier…
♦
For now, we can reduce our exposure by careful shopping, but it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid many of the substances on the above list because so many of them are everywhere.
WE need to act and demand that these toxic chemicals are taken out of everyday circulation.
One step is the Mind the Store campaign. Getting Secret Scents labelled is another.
The US toxic chemical reform efforts are stalled now, as the most recent effort was basically a chemical industry protection plan instead of one that protected our health and the environment.
Our dependence on oil, gas and petrochemicals is not only poisoning us and the environment, it is also causing undeniable and tragic climate changes.
What if we insist on precaution and take into account “all children, all species, for all time” whenever we make any decisions?
♥
♥
Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution 
A number of the above mentioned chemicals were found in these newborn babies!
Canadian babies are getting a toxic start. Environmental Defence Canada has released a new (June 2013) report called Pre-Polluted: A Report on Toxic Substances in the Umbilical Cord Blood of Canadian Newborns. The report contains first of its kind evidence that Canadian children are born pre-polluted with toxic chemicals.
Read the full report at http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/prepolluted
Hi Linda! Thanks again! Your posts keep me persistent, focused & confident in my efforts to change outdated laws! CERA told me there should be no chemical spraying whatsoever in common areas for people with MCS – but allowed in tenants’ apts. RAID & moth balls keep leeching into my apt. making me sick – also sprayed into my face from only open window in my apt.! – trying to get Paula Fletcher’s office to help me – was turned down for a Townhouse (more isolated air space)….so it’s off to Human Rights I go!
It’s called: PUSHBACK! Hugs & Gratitude! Marilyn & Lil’ John
I agree with you completely. After having 16 months low CO poisoning (enough to pass out a lot but not die), I think road rage is partly CO caused.70%of kids test positive for ADHD under florescent lights and none test positive in green spaces. Environmental Illnesses. I keep saying that MCS can be like inTOXICation, and who can think clearly when inTOXICated? I think most learning differences and “mental illnesses” are because of chemicals or old healthier brains that are undervalued – even hated – in this society. How humans can think they are the only animal not affected by Global Weirding is beyond me. Yet when I explain my MCS, 1/3 of the people say “I think I have that” which the stats would agree with. The problem is learned helplessness, a media that encourages powerlessness via numbed out apathy or depression. We’re being brainwashed to think we cannot handle this.It’s how it is. No one trusts the government but neither one will anyone take charge of their own life, feeling it is hopeless.MCS forces us to take matters into our own hands, as we feel the effects fastest. Also with the chronic fatigue, pain, brain fog,isolation and poverty that comes from these illnesses, being in everyday survival for those of us hit hardest is really draining. Yet we have to change the world to survive. MCS drafts us into this work. I do not know what will draft others. Maybe when cancer, asthma, CFS, FM, autism, panic attacks, etc are seen as Environmental Illnesses, too,people will brand around the common need: Fresh air, clean water, safe food. I’m doing detoxing under my naturopath;s guidance for Candida and my brain fog came back. I thought I had a TBI, but I just act l like it when exposed and not taking B12 methyl. I don’t know whose brain is not on drugs right now. The world is my Rufie.
New:
Opinion: ‘Chemical brain drain’ endangers generations of children
Centuries ago, citizens of the Roman Empire and Japan’s Samurai regime suffered severe lead poisoning. The brains of their children were seriously damaged, and some scholars say this could have contributed to the downfall of these mighty empires. In this opinion piece, internationally renowned environmental scientist Philippe Grandjean writes that today, our brains are being put to another extreme test, this time from a combination of toxic chemicals that includes mercury, arsenic, pesticides and persistent industrial compounds. He calls this threat “chemical brain drain.” “It is insidious and silent, as it is usually not linked to any medical diagnosis, and it is serious, as the combined deficits are affecting the brains of a whole generation of children, upon whom our future relies,” Grandjean writes. “Our knee-jerk demand for proof leaves the brainpower of the next generation in harm’s way.”
By Philippe Grandjean
For Environmental Health News
September 13, 2013
continued at:
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2013/opinion-chemical-brain-drain
New research in the Lancet from Dr. Phillippe Grandjean, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, MA, and Dr. Phillip Landrigan, of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York:
“Neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and other cognitive impairments, affect millions of children worldwide, and some diagnoses seem to be increasing in frequency. Industrial chemicals that injure the developing brain are among the known causes for this rise in prevalence.”
…
Three articles about the neurotoxic pandemic
Industrial chemicals ‘may cause global neurodevelopmental epidemic’
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272633.php
A new review published in The Lancet Neurology stresses the importance of a global overhaul of regulations regarding industrial chemicals, as experts warn that child exposure to such toxins could be causing a “silent epidemic” of brain development disorders worldwide.
…
”The only way to reduce toxic contamination is to ensure mandatory developmental neurotoxicity testing of existing and new chemicals before they come into the marketplace,” says Dr. Landrigan.
“Such a precautionary approach would mean that early indications of a potentially serious toxic effect would lead to strong regulations, which could be relaxed should subsequent evidence show less harm.”
Dr. Grandjean adds that until such precautions are put in place, “we are facing a pandemic of neurodevelopmental toxicity.”
Another look at the same subject:
‘Putting the next generation of brains in danger’
http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/14/health/chemicals-children-brains/index.html
Dr. Philip Landrigan at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and Dr. Philippe Grandjean from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, authors of the review published Friday in The Lancet Neurology journal, say the news is so troubling they are calling for a worldwide overhaul of the regulatory process in order to protect children’s brains.
“We know from clinical information on poisoned adult patients that these chemicals can enter the brain through the blood brain barrier and cause neurological symptoms,” said Grandjean.
“When this happens in children or during pregnancy, those chemicals are extremely toxic, because we now know that the developing brain is a uniquely vulnerable organ. Also, the effects are permanent.“
…
and
More Toxic Chemicals Damaging Children’s Brains, New Study Warns
by Lynne Peeples
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/14/chemicals-brain-development_n_4790229.html
…Reduce the average IQ among all children in the U.S. by five points, however, and the impact is striking: About half as many members of that generation will be “intellectually gifted,” twice as many will be “intellectually impaired,” and billions of dollars of productivity will be lost. And that doesn’t take into account the costs of diagnosis, treatment, special education, incarceration and other indirect costs, such as an estimated rise in traffic accidents attributed to more distracted drivers….
…
Video: Everyday Chemicals and Other Toxins Affect Brain Development
https://lindasepp.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/video-everyday-chemicals-and-other-toxins-affect-brain-development/
Brain Diseases Affecting More People Earlier…
https://lindasepp.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/brain-diseases-affecting-more-people-earlier/
You could also look at Are Fragrances Drugs By Design?
https://lindasepp.wordpress.com/2015/01/26/are-fragrances-drugs-by-design/