At no other time in human existence have there been so many environmental changes. Over 87,000 chemicals are now commercially available in the U.S., almost all of which have not been tested for safety, particularly in young children and the growing fetus. The number and quantity of chemicals has continued to increase since World War II--and so too has the incidence of many chronic health problems, such as Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, thyroid disease, asthma, allergy, autoimmune disease, autism, ADHD, and several cancers. Many studies have revealed that exposure to chemicals and radiation in our everyday environment may increase risk for these conditions.
Integrative Environmental Medicine examines the history and changing landscape of our environment in the U.S. and shares up-to-date research and information on ways to reduce exposures and reduce health risks. This text explores the unique properties of many chemicals and their ability to deceive the human body's normal workings, affecting everything from thyroid and autoimmune disease risk, to cancer development, to developmental issues in children, and even the development of diabetes and weight gain through gut bacteria manipulation. We discuss topics of improving regulations and appropriate testing for chemicals, remediation of environmental catastrophes, and designing healthier products for the future. Finally, we discuss best practices for clinicians to ascertain exposure history and teach patients how to avoid harmful exposures and help their bodies eliminate contaminates through better dietary and lifestyle practices.
Throughout this book, we share vetted, practical resources and tools--including websites, phone apps, physician and patient hand-outs--to help healthcare practitioners facilitate healthier choices for themselves and their patients.
This text is unique in that it offers tangible, practical information that can easily be integrated into the daily work flow of patient clinical care.
Foreword vii Preface ix Contributors xiii Section 1 History and Overview of Environmental Chemicals 1. The Age of Chemicals in the 21st Century: New Inventions, New Problems Carol F. Kwiatkowski 2. The Plastic Age: Worldwide Contamination, Sources of Exposure, and Human Health Consequences Charles Moore and Sarah S. Mosko 3. Environmental Chemicals and their Effects on Human Physiology Joel A. Maruniak Section 2 Sources and Clinical Aspects of Environmental Exposures 4. Sources of Contaminants in the Home: Indoor Air Quality and Human Health James S. Denninghoff and Frederick S. vom Saal 5. Chemical Water Pollution and Human Health Christopher P. Weis and Donald E. Tillitt 6. Diet, Environmental Chemicals, and the Gut Microbiome Marvin M. Singh and Gerard E. Mullin 7. Interaction of Pharmaceuticals with Environmental Chemicals Anderson J. Martino- Andrade and Shanna H. Swan 8. Pesticides and Neurodegenerative Disorders John W. McBurney 9. Disinfection in the 21st Century: Is There Harm in Being Clean? Patricia A. Hunt, Terry C. Hrubec, and Vanessa E. Melin vi Contents 10. Microwave/ Radiofrequency Radiation and Human Health: Clinical Management in the Digital Age Devra Davis, Margaret E. Sears, Anthony B. Miller, and Riina Bray Section 3 Regulatory Issues, Exposure Mitigation, and Resources for Clinicians and Patients 11. Food Additives: Health Consequences of Regulatory Oversight Failure Maricel V. Maffini and Sarah Vogel 12. Classic Toxicology vs. New Science: Unique Issues of Endocrine- Disrupting Chemicals Laura N. Vandenberg 13. Sustainable Chemistry: Addressing Low-Dose Adverse Effects Through Contaminant Remediation and Design of Safe Products for Our Future Genoa R. Warner and Terrence J. Collins 14. Proactive Approaches to Reduce Environmental Exposures: Avoidance, Lifestyle Changes, and Practical Resources Aly Cohen Index
AC: Founder and Director, Integrative Rheumatology Associates, Monroe Township, NJ. FSVS: Curators' Professor, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
