Blog #6: Body Burden

Body burden depends on several factors, one of which being how the substance is absorbed into the body. The article about modern environmental hazards in Africa specifically mentioned the inhalation of vaporized mercury by mine workers and what a large percentage of the metal is absorbed into the body via the lungs. Mercury passes the placental barrier, giving it the potential to cause negative effects on a developing fetus. A study performed at UCSF that was mentioned in an article from the Washington Post (listed below) found that 99 percent of the pregnant women analyzed were found to have traces of at least dozens of harmful chemicals in their bodies. Many had pesticides in their bodies, which have been linked to impaired growth and neurodevelopment of the fetus. In addition to education regarding alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, healthcare providers should incorporate education about harmful chemicals that can have detrimental effects on a developing fetus and safe alternatives.

After being in this class for a few weeks, I’m not surprised terribly surprised at the typical lab results for toxic chemicals inside our bodies. Before this class I may have been a bit surprised, but sadly, I have learned that this is almost impossible to avoid in the U.S. today with our current policies. When I watched the news story with Anderson Cooper, I have to admit that I was a little surprised to learn that he had chemicals inside his body that were banned decades ago. It makes me wonder whether the half-lives of these substances in our bodies is so long that they are still existent and detectable on lab tests or whether companies have been able to circumvent laws that have been put into place. Either situation is disquieting.

I absolutely believe that one’s zip code matters more than genetic code. We cannot change our genes, but we can alter their expression in some cases depending on our environmental exposures. In the same way that those with genetic predisposition for type 2 diabetes can avoid getting the disease via healthy diet and exercise, we can avoid certain cancers by reducing our exposure to carcinogens, even if we are genetically predisposed. Drinking water, air quality, exposure to toxic chemicals at work, PPE and many other factors can make huge differences in our health status. Currently in practice, environmental exposure is not an area that I typically cover, but it is in the direction that I would like to take my practice as a future NP.

I was quite surprised to learn the effects of BPA on a developing fetus and the vast number of effects on the reproductive systems of both males and females. As a future NP that will likely see pregnant women for prenatal visits, education about BPA will be an important addition to these visits. Encouraging the use of glass and ceramics in place of all plastics could prove very beneficial to my pregnant patient population. It would be important to include the fact that there is still controversy over whether low dose exposure is harmful, but it may be best to avoid plastics containing BPA until further research is conducted. Most patients would not want to take their chances on their developing child. Those that do not have the means to avoid BPA products may be offered alternatives. For example, refilling a glass or metal water bottle with water from a household filter could be beneficial over buying one-time use plastic packaged bottles. Glass Tupperware containers are available at relatively low cost and could replace plastic ones. Small, inexpensive, and doable solutions would be the most effective in reducing exposure.

https://beta.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/environmental-toxins-are-seen-as-posing-risks-during-pregnancy/2018/08/03/770fab98-7643-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html