What can we expect from this Premiere Health Facility?

This LEED certified health facility will address military chemical exposures, workplace contaminants, household chemicals, natural disasters such as Katrina and acts of terrorism like 9-11. The application of new and emerging technologies increases the efficacy of diagnosis and treatment, maximizes efficiency and cost effectiveness, and ensures a safe environment for our patients, our community, and our country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that 200,000 people die every year from cancers related to their workplaces.

How do toxic chemicals get into our bodies?

• l the lungs (inhalation),
• l skin (dermal absorption), and/or
• l mouth (ingestion)-these are known as routes of exposure.

Global chemical production is predicted to increase 330% by 2050. Only 5% of the current 80,000+ products most currently used have ever been tested for their effects on human health.

What do toxic chemicals do in our bodies?

• Hormone disrupting chemicals, such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and phthalates, can mimic, block or interfere with hormones such as estrogen, androgen and the thyroid, resulting in reproductive defects, reduced fertility, and neurological, behavioural and developmental problems.
• Carcinogenic chemicals can cause or aggravate cancer, which is the growth of abnormal cells that spread throughout the body, in some cases leading to death.
• Neurotoxic chemicals fall into three main groups, heavy metals and metal compounds, solvents and other simple organic compounds, and pesticides. These chemicals cause damage to the brain and can lead to developmental and behavioral disabilities, particularly in children because their brains are still developing.
• Respiratory toxins affect the breathing system. When these toxins are inhaled they affect the nasal passages, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. These toxins cause both acute and chronic illnesses such as bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, cancer, and general breathing problems. As irritants, respiratory toxins can also increase the severity and incidence of respiratory infections and can aggravate asthma.
• Reproductive toxins can affect reproductive ability and sexual function. Examples of reproductive disorders that may be caused by these toxins include endometriosis, failure to ovulate normally, tubal pregnancies, miscarriages and still births (for women), and low sperm count and motility, undescended testes, hypospadius and testicular cancer (in men).
• Developmental toxins can negatively impact normal childhood development and growth, in both physical and mental terms.

In planning and designing a specialized health facility, a preventative model is ideal. We need to think differently about why we become ill, rather than what to do after we become ill. Healing Sanctuary will correlate and respond to health issues that previously may have been considered unrelated. How do diet, the environment, lifestyle and contaminants all play a role in our overall health? A new paradigm of studying, diagnosis and treating diseases will create a health care and business model that produces the best policies and treatment, now and in the future.

Other toxic chemicals that cause harm to our bodies:

• (click on the chemical name for a more detailed description)
• Uranium is a naturally occurring chemical substance that is mildly radioactive. Exposure to high levels of uranium can cause kidney disease. Exposure can be from breathing air or drinking water in a place that has higher levels of uranium. Exposure can be from working in a factory that processes uranium or with phosphate fertilizers, living near any type of mine, or living near a coal-fired power plant.
  
  Depleted Uranium is radioactive material being used in military ammunition. DU poses significant health issues because the radioactivity spreads from continent to continent through the atmosphere. Uranium is one of the heaviest elements found in nature. After enriched uranium, which is to be used for nuclear fuel, is extracted from uranium, the leftover nuclear waste commonly known as deplete uranium, is stored. In regions heavily hit by DU, people have extensive problems with their immune systems, malignant cancers, heart problems, and bizarre abnormal birth defects. Some believe that DU is the cause for Gulf War Syndrome.
• Mercury Exposures to mercury occurs from breathing contaminated air, ingesting contaminated water and food, and having dental and medical treatments. Mercury at high levels may damage the brain, kidneys and developing fetus. The nervous system is very sensitive to all forms of mercury.
• Asbestos As asbestos fibers accumulate in the lungs, several types of diseases may occur. Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue which leads to inadequate oxygen intake to the blood. It leads to decreased lung volume and is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15-30 years. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural lining. It is considered to be exclusively related to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, it is almost always fatal. It has a latency period of 30-40 years. Lung Cancer is a malignant tumor that grows through surrounding tissue, invading and often obstructing air passages. The time between exposure to asbestos and the occurrence of lung cancer is 20-30 years. Asbestos exposure presents a high occupational risk for those in mining, construction trades, auto mechanics, shipyard workers, Navy Veterans, and firefighters. This not only affects the worker, but family members through second-hand exposure.
• Lead is a particulate pollutant that is toxic to humans. It can accumulate in the bones and in the tissue of various organs. Lead can impair the formation of red blood cells, leading to anemia, irreversible brain damage and death. Lead may cause central nervous system defects and children are especially vulnerable to leads' effects and may cause impaired growth, learning disabilities and behavioral problems. More than 90% of the burden of lead is accumulated in the bones, where it is stored. Lead in bones may be released into the blood, re-exposing organ systems long after the original exposure. In adults, lead can cause kidney and reproductive damage.
• Benzene is widely used in the United States, it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. It can be used in products such as plastics, resins, nylon and other synthetic fibers and used in the making of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Breathing very high levels of benzene can result in death, while high levels can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, particularly acute myelogenous leukemia, often referred to as AML.
• Dioxin There are no safe levels of dioxin exposure and has been confirmed to be a cancer hazard. Dioxin exposure may also cause severe reproductive and developmental problems. Dioxin exposure has been linked to birth defects, diabetes, immune system suppression, lung problems, skin disorders and more. Dioxin was used in Agent Orange in Viet Nam.
• Cadmium exposure to cadmium happens mostly in the workplace where cadmium products are made. The general population is exposed from breathing cigarette smoke or eating cadmium contaminated food. Cadmium damages the kidneys, lungs, and bones. Cadmium enters soil, water, and air from mining, industry, and burning coal and household wastes. Breathing high levels of cadmium can severely damage the lungs. Eating foods or drinking water with very high levels severely irritates the stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to lower levels of cadmium in air, food or water leads to a buildup of cadmium in the kidneys and possible kidney disease. Other long-term effects are lung damage and fragile bones.
• Beryllium is a metal naturally found in mineral rocks, coal, soil, and volcanic dust. It is purified for use in nuclear weapons and reactors, aircraft and space vehicle structures, x-ray machines and more. Beryllium alloys are used in automobiles, computers, sports equipment (golf clubs and bicycle frames) and dental bridges. Some people become sensitive to beryllium and may develop chronic beryllium disease. This disease can make you feel weak and tired and cause difficulty in breathing. It can also lead to right side heart enlargement and heart disease in advanced cases. Long term exposure to beryllium can increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
• Arsenic Inorganic arsenic compounds are mainly used to preserve wood. Organic arsenic compounds are used in pesticides, primarily on cotton fields and orchards. Breathing high levels of inorganic arsenic can give you a sore throat or irritated lungs. Several studies have shown that ingestion of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder, and lungs. Ingesting very high levels of arsenic can result in death.

Children in Malawi who are forced to work as tobacco pickers are exposed to nicotine poisoning equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes a day. Child laborers as young as five are suffering severe health problems from a daily skin absorption of dissolved nicotine. Malawi has the highest incidence of child labor in southern Africa, with 88.9% of 5-14 year olds working in the agricultural sector. Children report common symptoms of green tobacco sickness (GTS) or nicotine poisoning including severe headaches, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, coughing and breathlessness.

Top Hazardous Household Chemicals:

• (click on the chemical name for a more detailed description)
• Air Fresheners: Most air fresheners interfere with your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film, or by releasing a nerve deadening agent. Known toxic chemicals found in an air freshener: Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Phenol: When phenol touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel, and break out in hives. Can cause cold sweats,convulsions, circulatory collapse, coma and even death.
• Ammonia: It is a very volatile chemical, it is very damaging to your eyes, respiratory tract and skin.
• Bleach: It is a strong corrosive. It will irritate or burn the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. It may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested. WARNING: never mix bleach with ammonia it may cause fumes which can be DEADLY.
• Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo: Most formulas are designed to over power the stain itself, they accomplish the task but not without using highly toxic substances. Some include: Perchlorethylene: Known carcinogen damages liver, kidney and nervous system damage. Ammonium Hydroxide: Corrosive, extremely irritable to eyes, skin and respiratory passages.
• Dishwasher Detergents: Most products contain chlorine in a dry form that is highly concentrated.# 1 cause of child poisonings, according to poison control centers.
• Drain Cleaner: Most drain cleaners contain lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane. Lye: Caustic, burns skin and eyes, if ingested will damage esophagus and stomach. Hydrochloric acid: Corrosive, eye and skin irritant, damages kidneys, liver and digestive tract. Trichloroethane: Eye and skin irritant, nervous system depressant; damages liver and kidneys.
• Furniture Polish: Petroleum Distillates: Highly flammable, can cause skin and lung cancer. Phenol: (see Air fresheners, Phenol.) Nitrobenzene: Easily absorbed through the skin, extremely toxic.
• Mold and Mildew Cleaners: Chemicals contained are: Sodium hypochlorite: Corrosive, irritates or burns skin and eyes, causes fluid in the lungs which can lead to coma or death. Formaldehyde: Highly toxic, known carcinogen. Irritant to eyes, nose, throat, and skin. May cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss and shortness of breath.
• Oven Cleaner: Sodium Hydroxide (Lye): Caustic, strong irritant, burns to both skin and eyes. Inhibits reflexes, will cause severe tissue damage if swallowed.
• Antibacterial Cleaners: may contain: Triclosan: Absorption through the skin can be tied to liver damage.
• Laundry Room Products: Sodium or calcium hypocrite: Highly corrosive, irritates or burns skin, eyes or respiratory tract. Linear alkylate sulfonate: Absorbed through the skin. Known liver damaging agent. Sodium Tripolyphosphate: Irritates skin and mucous membranes, causes vomiting. Easily absorbed through the skin from clothes.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaners: Hydrochloric acid: Highly corrosive, irritant to both skin and eyes. Damages kidneys and liver. Hypochlorite Bleach: Corrosive, irritates or burns eyes, skin and respiratory tract. May cause pulmonary edema, vomiting or coma if ingested. Contact with other chemicals may cause chlorine fumes which may be fatal.

At least 232 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released in waterways in 2007 in all 50 states. Releases of nitrate compounds represented 90% of the total volume of discharges to waterways.

Facilities along the Ohio River reported releases of 91 different toxic chemicals including cyanide, chromium and arsenic compounds, lead, dioxin and benzene. Cancer-causing chemicals were discharged into approximately 1300 waterways nationwide.

Other nasty things that are around your home:

• (click on the chemical name for a more detailed description)
• Pesticides: Most pesticides have ingredients that affect the nervous system of insects. Dimpylate: Better known as Diazinon, extremely toxic. Impairs the central nervous system. Chlorinate Hydrocarbons: Suspected carcinogen and mutantagen. Accumulates in food and in fatty tissue. Will attack the nervous system. Organophosphates: Toxic and poisonous. If you can smell it, your lungs are absorbing it.
• Flea Powders: Carbaryl: Very toxic, causes skin, respiratory and cardiovascular system damage. Chlordane: Accumulates in the food chain, may damage eyes, lungs, liver, kidney and skin. Dichlorophene: Skin irritation: May damage liver, kidney, spleen and central nervous system.
• Lice Shampoo: Especially vulnerable are children. Lindane: Inhalation, ingestion, or ABSORPTION through the SKIN causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions and circulatory collapse. May cause liver damage, stillbirths, birth defects and cancer.
• Car Wash and Polish: Petroleum Distillates: Associated with skin and lung cancer, irritant to skin, eyes, nose and lungs. Entry into the lungs may cause fatal pulmonary edema, most marked Danger, Harmful or Fatal.
• Tar and Bug Remover: Contains Xylene and Petroleum Distillates.

Lead can harm a child's brain, kidneys and other organs. In 1978 the government banned lead in paint. However, more than 30,000 new cases are still detected each year.