By: George Kurzom
https://www.maan-ctr.org/magazine/article/3566/

Exclusive to Environment and Development Horizons (Afaq magazine):
Public health experts focus nowadays mainly on the thousands of toxic chemicals known as Emerging Contaminants.
Another term that is associated with many of these toxic substances is "perpetual pollutants" because they remain in the environment for many years without being broken down. They appear in the environment in very low concentrations, making them hard to detect.
Some of these pollutants cannot be processed or broken down, they accumulate in soil and water. After exposure to air, skin, food or drinks, these substances reach the tissues of animals and humans.
One group of "perpetual pollutants" is called PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). This group is found in a wide category of products in the market. It is used, among other things, for the production of "Teflon" for kitchen utensils, as well as the shaving foam to prevent combustion and more.
This type of pollutants may cause impaired growth of fetuses and may increase the risk of cancer.
What is worrying, especially in the era of covid-19 pandemic, is the damage that these substances cause to the immune system.
Another type of pollutants is the pharmaceutical residues that are emitted with the feces of the people who used them, and thus reach the water sources and then the soil.
Wastewater treatment plants cannot treat these substances and therefore they reach the water sources.
In Palestine particularly, this problem is serious since many farmers have become dependent on irrigation with reclaimed wastewater (some of them even use it without treatment).
A paper was recently published in the “Journal of Hazardous Materials”, conducted by Israeli researchers, on pharmaceutical contaminants and other contaminants in edible crops.
The study examined pharmaceutical contaminants in eight different types of edible crops from 445 commercial fields in Israel irrigated with reclaimed wastewater, in addition to samples from the soil and water.
According to the study, contaminants were found in more than 99% of the samples.
The highest concentrations were found in green leaves such as mint, parsley and lettuce, and so the researchers recommended avoiding irrigation with reclaimed wastewater, especially crops that were found to contain high concentrations of contaminants, particularly leafy vegetables.
But other international studies show that concentrations of pharmaceutical contaminants can harm animals living in water sources.
A recent study, published in the Ecosphere journal, tested the effects of exposing river crabs to residues of antidepressant pharmaceuticals.
River crabs have been exposed, in a man-made water channel, to pharmaceutical concentrations equivalent to that found in natural water sources.
This exposure led to behavioral changes in the crabs, so they became more aggressive in their behavior, which may expose them to dangers in their natural environment, such as predation.
Another dangerous type of chemicals is those that are added to various products to improve their properties. And one of its most serious health effects is disruption of the endocrine system which is responsible for producing hormones in the human body. These include phthalates, which are chemical additives designed to improve the properties of plastics, and found abundantly in food product packaging.
Phthalates may cause breast cancer and birth defects. It is transmitted through breast milk. It also leads to hormonal disorders, and damages the brain’s normal functioning.
These compounds are also found in nail polish, hair sprays, shampoos, and deodorants, and are also added to perfumes to make them stick to the skin longer.
What should be done?
We can take some action to fight against the chemical threat to our lives. Many of these procedures can be learned from the book “Countdown” by Professor Shanna Swan of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
The book, published last year, deals with the effects of different types of chemicals, particularly those that disrupt the endocrine system and the fertility of men and women around the world.
Cleaning supplies:
Swan suggests replacing any product that says "Danger" or "Poison" on the packaging with safer products in the market.
There are environmental organizations nowadays such as the EWG (Environmental Working Group) that publish guides detailing the safer products for use.
Water filtration: It is recommended to install a filter for the drinking water at the household level, even in places where the water is considered safe.
Water contains chemical residues that the treatment systems or Chlorination (disinfection with chlorine) cannot treat.
Cookware pots and pans:
Avoid using cookware containing Teflon or PFAS chemicals.
Although it is very convenient to cook in and easy to clean, it however releases substances that harm the endocrine system. All of these substances permeate the food we eat.
Personal hygiene products:
There is currently insufficient legal regulation and inadequate control over the manufacture of these products despite their direct contact with our bodies.
Therefore, it is preferable to get rid of as many products as possible that contain chemical additives that have a negative effect.
For example, it's best not to use products that are labeled 'antimicrobial'.
Soap and water can do this job very efficiently, and we can always make these products by ourselves at home.
Home Environment
It is recommended that you avoid using wall-to-wall rugs unless they are plant-based or made of wool. Nylon or polypropylene carpets emit hazardous chemicals into the room's environment. Also, cleaning the house from dust is very desirable as a way to protect against exposure to chemicals since dust particles often contain about fifty different types of chemicals.
Translated by: Rasha Abu Dayyeh