Toxin and Solvent Profile + Health Coaching Consult

What We Test

The following are the environmental pollutants that are tested in the urine:

Phthalates
Perhaps the most widespread group of toxic chemicals found in our environment.
Phthalates are commonly found in after shave lotions, aspirin, cosmetics, detergents,
foods microwaved with plastic covers, oral pharmaceutical drugs, intravenous products
prepared in plastic bags, hair sprays, insecticides, insect repellents, nail polish, nail polish
remover, skin care products, adhesives, explosives, lacquer, janitorial products, perfumes,
paper coatings, printing inks, safety glass, and varnishes. Phthalates have been implicated
in reproductive damage, depressed leukocyte function, and cancer. Phthalates have also
been found to impede blood coagulation, lower testosterone, and alter sexual
development in children. Low levels of phthalates can feminize the male brain of the
fetus, while high levels can hyper-masculinize the developing male brain.

Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is an intermediate in the synthesis of several commercial chemicals,
including polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Exposure to vinyl chloride may cause central
nervous system depression, nausea, headache, dizziness, liver damage, degenerative bone
changes, thrombocytopenia, enlargement of the spleen, and death.

Benzene
Benzene is an organic solvent that is widespread in the environment. Benzene is a by-
product of all sources of combustion, including cigarette smoke, and is released by
outgassing from synthetic materials, and is a pollutant released by numerous industrial
processes. Benzene is an extremely toxic chemical that is mutagenic and carcinogenic.
High exposures to benzene cause symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lack of
coordination, central nervous system depression, and death. It can also cause
hematological abnormalities.

Pyrethrins
Pyrethrins are widely used as insecticides. Exposure during pregnancy doubles the
likelihood of autism. Pyrethrins may affect neurological development, disrupt hormones,
induce cancer, and suppress the immune system.

Xylenes
Xylenes (dimethylbenzenes) are solvents found not only in common products such as
paints, lacquers, pesticides, cleaning fluids, fuel and exhaust fumes, but also in perfumes
and insect repellents. Xylenes are oxidized in the liver and bound to glycine before
eliminated in urine. High xylene levels may be due to the use of certain perfumes and
insect repellents. High exposures to xylene create an increase in oxidative stress, causing
symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and
death. Occupational exposure is often found in pathology laboratories where xylene is
used for tissue processing.

Styrene
Styrene is used in the manufacturing of plastics, in building materials, and is found in car exhaust fumes. Polystyrene and its copolymers are widely used as food-packaging
materials. The ability of styrene monomer to leach from polystyrene packaging to food
has been reported. Occupational exposure due to inhalation of large amounts of styrene
adversely impacts the central nervous system, causes concentration problems, muscle
weakness, tiredness and nausea, and irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose,
and throat.

Organophosphates
Organophosphates are one of the most toxic groups of substances used throughout the
world. They are often used as biochemical weapons and terrorist agents, but are most
commonly used in pesticide formulations. Organophospates are inhibitors of
cholinesterase enzymes, leading to overstimulation of nerve cells, causing sweating,
salivation, diarrhea, abnormal behavior, including aggression and depression. Children
exposed to organophosphates have more than twice the risk of developing pervasive
developmental disorder (PDD), an autism spectrum disorder. A study done in the San
Francisco Bay area found that in California agricultural areas, children born to mothers
living within 500 meters of fields where organochlorine pesticides were used were more
than 6 times more likely to develop autism than children whose mothers did not live near
such fields. ASD risk increased with the poundage of organochlorines applied and
decreased with distance from field sites. Maternal organophosphate exposure has been
associated with various adverse outcomes including having shorter pregnancies and
children with impaired reflexes.

MTBE and ETBE
MTBE and ETBE are gasoline additives used to improve octane ratings. Exposure to
these compounds is most likely due to groundwater contamination, and inhalation or skin
exposure to gasoline or its vapors and exhaust fumes. MTBE has been demonstrated to
cause hepatic, kidney, and central nervous system toxicity, peripheral neurotoxicity, and
cancer in animals. Since the metabolites of these compounds are the same, ETBE may be
similarly toxic.

2, 4-Dicholorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D)
A very common herbicide that was a part of Agent Orange, used by the United States
during the Vietnam War to increase visibility for war planes by destroying plant
undergrowth and crops. It is most commonly used in agriculture on genetically modified
foods, and as a weed killer for lawns. Exposure to 2, 4-D via skin or oral ingestion is
associated with neuritis, weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness,
peripheral neuropathy, stupor, seizures, brain damage, and impaired reflexes. As a known endocrine disruptor, 2,4-D can block hormone distribution and cause glandular breakdown.

Diphenyl Phosphate
This is a metabolite of the organophosphate flame retardant triphenyl phosphate (TPHP),
which is used in plastics, electronic equipment, nail polish, and resins.  TPHP can cause
endocrine disruption.  Studies have also linked TPHP to reproductive and developmental
problems.

Acrylamide
Acrylamide can polymerize to form polyacrylamide.  Polyacrylamide is used in many
industrial processes such as plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, nail polish, dyes, and
treatment of drinking water.  Food and cigarette smoke are also two major sources of
exposure.  Acrylamide has been found in foods like potato chips, french fries, and many
others such as asparagus, potatoes, legumes, nuts, seeds, beef, eggs, and fish.
Asparagine, which is found in these foods, can produce acrylamide when cooked at high
temperature in the presence of sugars.  High levels of acrylamide can elevate a patient’s
risk of cancer.  In addition, acrylamide is known to cause neurological damage.

Perchlorate
This chemical is used in the production of rocket fuel, missiles, fireworks, flares,
explosives, fertilizers, and bleach.  Studies show that perchlorate is often found in water
supplies.  Many food sources are also contaminated with perchlorate.  Perchlorate can
disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones.  The EPA has also labeled perchlorate
a likely human carcinogen.  Patients that are high in perchlorate can use a reverse
osmosis water treatment system to remove the chemical from their water supply.

1,3 Butadiene
This is a chemical made from the processing of petroleum.  It is often a colorless gas with
a mild gasoline-like odor.  Most of this chemical is used in the production of synthetic
rubber. A known carcinogen, 1,3 Butadiene has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.  Individuals that come into contact with rubber, such as car tires,
could absorb 1,3 Butadiene through the skin.  The increased use of old tires in the
production of crumb rubber playgrounds and athletic fields is quite troubling because
children and athletes may be exposed to toxic chemicals in this way.

Propylene Oxide
This chemical is used in the production of plastics and is used as a fumigant.   Propylene
oxide is used to make polyester resins for textile and construction industries.  It is also
used in the preparation of lubricants, surfactants, and oil demulsifiers.  It has also been
used as a food additive, an herbicide, a microbicide, an insecticide, a fungicide, and a
miticide.  Propylene oxide is a probable human carcinogen.

1-Bromopropane (1-BP)
1-Bromopropane is an organic solvent used for metal cleaning, foam gluing, and drycleaning. Studies have shown that 1-BP is a neurotoxin as well as a reproductive toxin.
Research indicates that exposure to 1-BP can cause sensory and motor deficits.  Chronic
exposure can lead to decreased cognitive function and impairment of the central nervous
system.  Acute exposure can lead to headaches.

Ethylene Oxide
Ethylene oxide is used in many different industries including agrochemicals detergents,
pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.  Ethylene oxide is also used as a sterilizing
agent on rubber, plastics, and electronics.  Chronic exposure to ethylene oxide has been
determined to be mutagenic to humans.  Multiple agencies have reported it as a carcinogen.  Studies of people exposed to ethylene oxide show an increased incidence of
breast cancer and leukemia.  Caution is needed with ethylene oxide because it is odorless
at toxic levels.

Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor.  It is used in the production of
acrylic fibers, resins, and rubber.  Use of any of these products could lead to exposure to
acrylonitrile.  Smoking tobacco and cigarettes is another potential exposure.  Exposure to
acrylonitrile can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and chest pains.  The
European Union has classified acrylonitrile as a carcinogen.

Acrolein
Acrolein is commonly used as an herbicide to control submersed and floating weeds and
algae in irrigation canals.  Humans are exposed to acrolein via oral (fried foods, alcoholic
beverages, and water), respiratory (cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust), and dermal
routes.  In addition, there is also endogenous generation (metabolism and lipid
peroxidation) of acrolein.  Acrolein has been suggested to play a role in several disease
states including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes mellitus, and neuro-, hepato-, and nephro-toxicity.  On the cellular level,
acrolein exposure has diverse toxic effects, including DNA and protein adduction,
oxidative stress, mitochondrial disruption, membrane damage, and immune dysfunction.