Chasing the cancer answer – Wendy Mesley – CBC Marketplace

• Childhood cancer is up 25% in the last 30 years
• 14 million Kg of carcinogens are released into the atmosphere in Canada each year
• More than 1/3 of the survivors of childhood cancer will have a major disease by the age of 45
• The Canadian Cancer society refers to the Doll and Peto report issued over 30 years ago. This report states that less than 5% of cancers are caused by environmental toxins. If this is the case, then why are cancer rates rising with all the new cancer treatments?
• Wendy Mesley's blood was tested for some 60 heavy metals, pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Among the pollutants found within her blood were several known or suspected carcinogens, including:
1) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) - Recognized as carcinogens by California's Proposition 65, PCBs are a group of chemicals that contain 209 individual compounds (known as congeners) with varying harmful effects. PCBs are no longer produced or used in North America; the major source of exposure to PCBs today is the redistribution of PCBs already present in soil and water. PCBs bio-accumulate in the fat of humans and animals, including fish. They are ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds to ecosystems and human health.
2) Organochlorine pesticides - Classified by California's Proposition 65 as suspected carcinogens, organochlorine pesticides are man-made organic chemicals. DDT was the first that was used on a large scale in North America. Although most organochlorine pesticides are no longer used in Canada, many are manufactured in North America for use elsewhere, especially in developing countries. Research has found that many organochlorine pesticides are extremely persistent in the environment and in people's bodies.
3) Cadmium - Listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a possible human carcinogen, and by California's Proposition 65 as a recognized carcinogen, cadmium has been shown to be a developmental toxicant in animals, resulting in fetal malformations and other effects, but no conclusive evidence exists in humans. The main sources of cadmium in the air are the burning of fossil fuels such as coal or oil and the incineration of municipal waste. An association between cadmium exposure and an increased risk of lung cancer has been reported from human studies, but these studies are inconclusive due to confounding factors. Animal studies have demonstrated an increase in lung cancer from long-term inhalation exposure to cadmium.
4) Nickel - Recognized as a carcinogen by California's Proposition 65, nickel is also ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds to human health. Nickel is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. The greatest use of nickel is in making stainless steel and other alloys. Fuel oil combustion leads to releases of nickel to the atmosphere. Other sources include emissions from mining and refining operations, municipal waste incineration, and windblown dust. Sources of nickel in water and soil include storm water runoff, soil contaminated with municipal sewage sludge, wastewater from municipal sewage treatment plants, and groundwater near landfill sites.

• The European Union will not import Canadian beef that has been injected with growth hormones, yet it is sold to Canadians. Why?
• Drug Companies have no mission to prevent disease, their mission is to treat disease once it has been identified.
• Wendy Mesley’s treatment cost the Health Care System $60,000
• Interviewed Diana Ward, an environmental activist in the UK. She sees Cancer as an environmental disease
• The European Union restricts certain carcinogens like trisodium nitrilotriacetate found in Sunlight Soap and formaldehyde found in Mr. Clean Eraser in Canada
• May Burrows of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society (Canada) is advocating that we at least put ingredient labels on our Home Cleaning and Personal Care products so that people can decide if they want to ingest them. Here’s a list of toxic chemicals found in our Home Cleaning and Personal Care products: trisodium nitrilotriacetate (CAR), sodium metasilicate (CAU), sodium silicate (CAU), ethoxylated alcohols (IR), ethyl alcohol (IR), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (IR), isopropyl alcohol (IR, NEU), sodium hydroxide (CAU), sodium hypochlorite (IR), phosphoric acid (CAU, IR), butane (IR, NEU), isoparaffinin hydrocarbon (IR, NEU), propane (IR, NEU), hydrocarbon solvent (IR, NEU), isobutane (IR, NEU)
CAR = Carcinogenic, CAU = Caustic, IR = Acute Irritant, NEU = Neurotoxin.