Are we living in a toxic environment? The experts at Canyon Ranch ask us to consider these facts:

• The EPA estimates that 4.7 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released into the environment annually.
• It's likely that 25 percent of the U.S. population suffers from some level of heavy metal poisoning.
• Fourteen pounds of food colorings, additives, preservatives, emulsifiers, and flavorings are consumed per person each year.

Toxic? Maybe. At minimum, though, we are living in a world filled with chemicals, pesticides, additives, preservatives, antibiotic and hormone residues, and heavy metals. Whether consumed, inhaled, or absorbed, our bodies soak this stuff up. In order to reduce the load, and the toll it takes it takes on our health, there's something we can do. We can eat clean. Here's how:

A bundle of scientific reports indicate more than 200 chemicals, found in the air and in consumer products, cause breast cancer in animal tests.

Researchers report in an American Cancer Society publication that reducing exposure to such compounds could prevent many women from developing the disease.

Family history and genetic make-up are responsible for only a small percentage of breast cancer cases. Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as diet, are most likely involved in the majority of cases, say experts.

Nearly a decade ago, women in Long Island began to worry about their high rates of breast cancer. So they advocated and lobbied and pushed until a public law was passed that allowed for the creation of the Long Island Breast Cancer Project. Funded by both the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, great data has emerged from this project -- like the data linking breast cancer and household pesticides.

Although much research has linked cancer with pesticides in work and industrial settings, few studies have investigated what these chemicals can do in households -- until now, thanks to research conducted as part of The Long Island Breast Cancer Project.

Published online in the December 13 American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found an association between lifetime residential pesticide use and breast cancer risk in a sample of 1,508 Long Island women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1996 and 1997. These women were compared to 1,556 random controls. All women were asked to self-report their pesticide exposure and to offer blood samples for the study of organochlorine compound levels -- found in lawn and garden products.

As expected, researchers found an increased breast cancer risk for women whose blood samples showed the highest levels of organochlorine compounds. They also found it hard to find women who did not use lawn and garden pesticides to some degree.

Use of household pesticides has infiltrated our society, says researcher Susan Teitelbaum, assistant professor in the department of community medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, who reports she is happy to see a movement toward use of alternative methods, like integrated pest management.

Teitelbaum has just one recommendation as result of this study. It's quite simple really -- stop using pesticides.

In her award-winning documentary Toxic Bust, filmmaker Megan Siler takes on the issues and realities of toxic chemicals women are exposed to at home, in the community, and during work in relation to the potential links to breast cancer. Siler focuses on three breast cancer hot spots -- San Francisco and Silicon Valley in California and Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Siler is not alone in her investigative work of environmental links to cancer risks. Even though the current percentage of federally-funded research dollars allocated to the links between cancer and exposure to environmental toxins is in the single-digits, there are those who have spent a good deal of time, energy and resources into studying the cause and effect of the environmental risks to cancer. In the last six years, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has conducted extensive studies regarding toxic chemicals in the environment. Among the 72 people who participated in the EWG studies, a chemical body burden of 455 industrial pollutants, pesticides and other chemicals in blood, urine, and breast milk were found.

The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition analyzed the hair, blood, and urine samples of ten study participants and found that every person tested had at least 26 and as many as 39 toxic chemicals in his or her body and the exposure to toxic chemicals came from everyday activities and products. Breast Cancer Action released State of the Evidence 2006: What Is the Connection Between the Environment and Breast Cancer? which provided compelling scientific evidence pointing to some of the 100,000 synthetic chemicals in use today as contributing to the development of breast cancer, either by altering hormone function or gene expression. The report also identifies radiation exposure, such as that from X-rays and CT scans, as the longest-established environmental cause of breast cancer. In the United States, a woman's lifetime risk of developing breast cancer has tripled in the last 40 years.

Wendy Mesley, co-host of CBC's Marketplace and breast cancer survivor, produced and hosted the investigative documentary Chasing the Cancer Answer, that provided revealing interviews with an outspoken American doctor, frustrated cancer victims in southern Ontario, pharmaceutical sales representatives in Paris, France, and activists working to increase awareness of prevention measures. Greenpeace issued a report that Chernobyl cancer deaths have been grossly underestimated. Award-winning and highly-respected journalist and public commentator Bill Moyers produced a PBS documentary Trade Secrets investigating the history of the chemical revolution and the body burden of synthetic chemicals that pose dangers to human health.

We have additional links related to the topic of environmental links to cancer risk at Earth Day: environmental cancer risks and Cancer Epidemic: are we poisoned from birth? Cancer defines about 100 diseases characterized by the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells. No one single factor is going to be the cause for all cancers. However, environmental exposure from toxic chemicals cannot be ignored as one, and perhaps multiple, contributing factors in raising the risks of developing cancer.

Women who work on farms are three times more likely to develop breast cancer as a result of exposure to pesticides, and women who grew up and worked on farms are four times more likely to develop breast cancer, according to occupational and environmental health scientist James Brophy.

Brophy conducted a study of 564 women diagnosed with breast cancer at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and after he took genetics, smoking, age, number of children and hormone replacement therapies into account, working on a farm appeared to be a notable factor in a number of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Brophy theorizes that childhood and occupational exposure to cancer-causing agents such as pesticides might be a factor in the increase of breast cancer.

"I'm not saying we have the smoking gun on breast cancer. We don't,'' stated Brophy. "What I think we do have is a study that shows the importance of looking at occupation as a potential risk factor.''

The Canadian Cancer Society, concerned with the potential long-term effects associated with the ornamental or cosmetic use of pesticides, has launched an email Take Action! campaign to support a ban on the ornamental use of pesticides in the City of London.

According to the the cancer society, the majority of Londoners support a ban on the use of ornamental pesticides. In a recent poll, 81 percent of Londoners want to phase-out pesticides in city parks and 74 percent support a phase-out on private residential property; 71 percent of Londoners feel cosmetic pesticides are a health threat to children and pose a health threat to pets such as cats and dogs and 74 percent of Londoners believe pesticides are a threat to the environment, including wildlife, air quality, and ground water.

If you would like to participate in the campaign to support the ban, the Canadian Cancer Society has provided an advocacy action page where you can send an email to the Mayor and London City Council. The deadline is June 12.

Several months ago, we posted the news The Canadian Cancer Society was calling for a ban on the use of pesticides in private gardens, lawns, parks, recreational facilities and on golf courses because of the potential cancer risks associated with the chemicals used in maintaining ornamental gardens and lawns in Canada.

Are you safe using treated water from most municipal drinking supplies? Do you periodically have your well water or private water supply inspected for nitrates and other contaminates? Elevated nitrate levels may suggest the possible presence of other contaminants such as disease-causing organisms, pesticides, or other inorganic and organic compounds that could cause health problems.

Studies show a correlation with nitrate levels in water to cancer, pregnancy and birth problems, blue baby syndrome, and GI problems. The association between bladder cancer and tap water consumption suggest to investigators that the increased risk may be related to the cancer-causing contaminants in tap water, such as disinfection by-products.

Last year, ten people took part in an investigative study to test for the presence of toxic chemicals in their body. The Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition took hair, blood, and urine samples and tested for plasticizing chemicals known as phthalates; the flame retardants PBDEs; lead, arsenic, and mercury; perfluorinated chemicals like those used to make Teflon; and pesticides -- including the now banned PCBs and DDT. Many of these are know to increase cancer risks. The purpose of the study was two-fold -- the researchers wanted to know which chemicals are getting into our bodies, at what levels, and to better understand the potential harm posed by poor regulation of chemicals. Second, the researchers hope that by understanding the dangers we face, better solutions can be developed to eliminate the exposures to toxins from the environment. The results shocked and surprised the participants in the study. It might disturb you too, as most of us carry a similar body burden of cancer-causing chemicals.

To celebrate Earth Day today, we will offer posts featuring information and resources for ways to live green in reducing the environmental risks to cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society issued a statement last week calling for a ban on the use of pesticides in private gardens and lawns, based on the conclusions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, that state that substances used in pesticides are classified as known, probable or possible carcinogens.

In an observational study, Purdue University researchers found the risk of bladder cancer was four times greater in dogs exposed to lawns or gardens that had been treated with phenoxy herbicides than it was in dogs exposed to untreated lawns or gardens. Over 100 million pounds of pesticides are used by homeowners in homes and gardens each year, and the Pesticide Free Lawns Coalition estimates of the 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked to cancer.

YARDSCAPING suggests these basic tips for nontoxic lawn care:

• Build good soil for healthy plant growth.
• Use organic or slow-release fertilizers at moderate rates and only when necessary. Avoid phosphorus fertilizers.
• Plant slow-growing, low-maintenance grasses.
• Mow high -- 2.5 to 3.5 inches -- with sharp lawnmower blades so that grass chokes out weeds.
• Leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle nutrients there so that you’ll minimize or eliminate the need for additional fertilizers.
• Accept the fact that life -- and lawns -- aren’t supposed to be perfect.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides works to protect people and the environment by advancing healthy solutions to pest problems, and offers a free newsletter featuring pesticide-free techniques and solutions that are simple and effective for maintaining an attractive and healthy lawn.

On April 22, Earth Day is observed each year to promote awareness of environmental issues. According to Earth Day's founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson, who, in 1970, wrote letters to colleges and put a special article in Scholastic Magazine to promote the special day he had planned, Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. People cared. People were concerned. According to Senator Nelson, the first year event organized itself. Today, over three decades later, Earth Day is a worldwide event. People still care. People are still concerned.

Environmental issues are of special concern to cancer survivors and people interested in cancer prevention. Environmental toxins and pollution are some of the causes linked to the risk and development of cancer. At The Cancer Blog, we post information from reputable and respected individuals and organizations outlining some of the environmental concerns as it relates to cancer risks. This is the second recap of posts, the first recap can be found here.

• Greenpeace: Chernobyl cancer deaths grossly underestimated
• Gardening organic for cancer prevention
• Cancer society calls for ban on lawn and garden pesticides
• Peter Max Earth Day T-Shirt benefits breast cancer
• Earth Day cancer survivor and the Rachel Carson for our time
• TCE: groundwater contamination in toxic triangle of cancer
• Oyster Creek nuclear power plant link to childhood cancer
• Tooth Fairy Project: low level radiation link to cancer
• Health agency saying higher cancer rates have little meaning
• Potato farms a hotbed of cancer debate
• California and New York highest air pollution cancer risks
• Environmental contaminants strong link to cancer

The Canadian Cancer Society is calling for a ban on the use of pesticides in private gardens, lawns, parks, recreational facilities and on golf courses because of the potential cancer risks associated with the chemicals used in maintaining ornamental gardens and lawns. In a statement published at the cancer society website, "We base this concern on the conclusions of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC, that state that some substances used in pesticides are classified as known, probable or possible carcinogens. Since ornamental use of pesticides has no countervailing health benefit and has the potential to cause harm, we call for a ban on the use of pesticides on lawns and gardens." I think that is a substantially clear statement that does not leave much margin for misinterpretation of what they mean in the call for a ban on chemical pesticide use.

According to Pesticide Free Lawns Coalition, over 100 million pounds of pesticides are used by homeowners in homes and gardens each year. While much attention is directed at the agricultural use of cancer-causing pesticide use, it might surprise the homeowner to know that suburban lawns and gardens receive more pesticide applications per acre than most other land areas, including agricultural areas. Chemicals used on lawns and gardens do not stay on the lawn or in the garden, but drift inside to pollute indoor air and surfaces. The Pesticide Free Lawns Coalition estimates of the 30 commonly used lawn pesticides, 19 are linked to cancer.

Toronto Master Gardeners offer a set of Go Natural in the Garden fact sheets that help the homeowner find alternative methods for maintaining a healthy garden and lawn. 

In Canada, on Prince Edward Island, many residents, including one farmer and a local doctor, are concerned that the high rates of cancer in the area are due to heavy pesticide use by potato farmers on the island. The island has over 7,000 potato fields spanning 110,000 acres, and produces more than a billion kilograms of potatoes every year. The tiny island is one of the most intensely farmed areas in Canada.

According to PEI Green Party leader Sharon Labchuk, potatoes grown on that magnitude require "enormous amounts" of fungicidal chemicals to ward off blight, a disease that can devastate potato crops. Labchuk says the crops are sprayed about 20 times per year, every four days in blight season, and the three main fungicidals used on the potatoes have been classified as carcinogens by the U.S. government. Canadian government officials insist that the statistics don't provide any proof of increased cancer risks for island residents.

"It certainly seems that the cancers we do see, the higher trends are related to much more mundane things such as smoking and diet, which is regrettably low in fruits and vegetables," states Van Til, Epidemiologist for the PEI Department of Health.

In the last twenty five years, potato production on the island has doubled, but pesticide use has soared by 700 percent. Dr. Ron Matsusaki, emergency room physician at Western Hospital in Alberton, says he believes the increase in cancer cases on the island are a result of the "insane amount" of chemical pesticides being used in potato farming. The potato farms on the island are everywhere, next to homes, hospitals, daycares and schools. There is no way for the residents to avoid exposure to the chemical pesticides used in farming potatoes, or that it could be healthy for them.

In a new report on environmental contaminants strong link to cancer by University of Liverpool researchers, infants and young children may be at risk of developing cancer through exposure to pesticides in food and from exposure to contaminants in the home environment. The cancer causing chemicals found in the meat and dairy products mothers consume can be transferred to infants through breast milk. 

The Cancer Prevention and Education Society is working to reduce the current epidemic levels of cancer by reducing human exposure to carcinogens, particularly those of man-made origin. Unlike other cancer charities, the primary purpose of the organization is to prevent people from getting cancer in the first place. Here are ten top tips for reducing cancer risks:

• Do eat fresh organic food or, failing that, food low in additives.
• Do drink filtered or mineral water.
• Don't use synthetic pesticides in your garden.
• Use water based paints or, if you must use solvent paints, ventilate your home very well.
• Don't use aerosols that can be breathed in or leave deposits on domestic surfaces - deodorants, air-fresheners, hair-spray, fly and mosquito repellents.
• Do use toiletries low in additives and avoid chlorinated items.
• Don't smoke, protect yourself from sun-burn and drink alcohol in moderation.
• Do eat fish from low pollution waters.
• Do read all product labels. Try to minimize your exposure to synthetic chemicals and pollution.
• Dispose of chemicals carefully.

Colette, Nancy and Jim Chudas little girl, taught them with her bravery, not to be afraid to die. During Colette's short life, her parents learned that unconditional love lasts forever, that each of us lives on, forever, in the hearts of those who love us. She was four years old when diagnosed with Wilm's tumor, a childhood cancer of the kidney. During the fight to save Colette's life, her parents searched for answers. When genetic factors were ruled out, they turned their attention to the environment around them. Research specific to the study of Wilm's tumor suggested a link between maternal exposure to pesticides and the unborn child's later development of kidney cancer.

There was little in the way of scientific studies on the overall links between environmental toxins and childhood cancer. Much to their dismay, all environmental research standards were conducted using a 155 pound male as the model for determining safety levels of chemicals. The Chudas founded the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund, CCEF, to support scientific research on the risks to children from environmental toxins. In an effort to bring parents, environmental groups and the scientific community together, they went on to form the Children's Health Environmental Coalition, CHEC, website to raise awareness on environmental dangers and safe practical alternatives. The CHEC website has a wealth of information and interactive resources.