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1. Reducing
exposures to diesel and automobile emissions
Components of vehicle
exhaust are carcinogenic. Exposures to both diesel and gasoline exhaust
constitute a large proportion of our exposures and should be minimized.
Cars and trucks should not idle unnecessarily and people should turn
their motors off when they are not in their vehicles. Children should
never be allowed to pump gas.
2. Reducing exposures to pesticides
Pesticides
should only be used as a last resort. Herbicides used on lawns merely
to control weeds carry too great a risk for that purpose. Pesticides
carry health risks and therefore should be used with caution. Pregnant
women should particularly avoid exposures. Bait and ant cups are
always preferable to sprays.
3. Reducing exposures to radon
Radon is
the second-leading cause of lung cancer and homes should be tested
for its presence. If radon is present at elevated levels, it should
be remediated.
4. Reducing exposures from well water
Private residential
wells are not regulated. People should have their wells tested not
only for the standard well water test, but also for VOC’s and
pesticides.
5. Reducing exposures in home-use products
Cleaning
products should be chosen on a "least toxic" basis. Strong
solvents should be avoided when possible. Products should be used
only as intended. For instance, studies have shown that plastic wrap,
when used in a microwave oven and used in combination with fat, releases
carcinogens into the food. Instead of using plastic containers or
plastic wrap, ceramic or oven-proof glass containers should be used
when heating food in microwave ovens. Products such as paint thinners,
paint strippers and other solvents should only be used in well-ventilated
spaces.
6. Reducing exposures to arsenic
Pressure-treated
wood contains arsenic, which leaches from the wood. If playscapes
or picnic tables are made out of this material, they should be painted
or sealed to prevent the arsenic from leaching. The wood should never
be used to edge vegetable gardens, as the arsenic leaches into the
soil and is then taken up by the growing vegetables.
7. Reducing exposures
to formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is in a variety of home products. It
is often in new carpeting, new furniture, in particle board woods and
adhesives. Eventually the formaldehyde will dissipate over time as
it outgases from these products, but in the meanwhile exposures should
be minimized.
8. Reducing exposures at work
When using harmful
compounds such as pesticides, spray paints, pressure treated wood,
etc., workers should wear protective clothing.
9. Reducing exposures
to tobacco smoke
People know that they should stop smoking, but they
also need to know that their smoke affects other people's health—and
they need to be especially careful around children.
10. Reducing exposures
to sun
There is a direct correlation between sun exposure and melanoma.
Sunscreen should always be used to protect against skin cancers.
11. Reducing
obesity
Obesity is an added risk factor for cancer. It is of major
concern, given the evidence that over 60% of Americans are either overweight
or obese and that the majority of these people are unaware of the connection
between cancer and being greatly overweight. Organic produce should
be chosen when possible as well as low-fat dairy products. Smoked,
processed lunch meats and red meat should be limited, and charcoal
grilling should be kept to a minimum.
12. Reducing harmful exposures in
general
We all need to reduce our total chemical exposures–and
those of us who are overweight or obese need to lose the excess weight.
Because we cannot avoid all exposures, we recommend that people begin
to be more mindful of their surroundings and start to reduce those
exposures that are within their control. It is the total chemical loading
of our bodies that we must begin to reduce, and we should start by
eliminating those things that are possible. The state needs to help
as well, by passing laws that protect human health.
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