Do things like plastic, chemicals, etc. contribute to things like cancer ?

Question

Does environment contribute to our health?

Does anyone think like I do and feel that every day things like plastics, chemical cleaners, food preservatives, etc. contribute to things like cancer? Sometimes I feel alone in the way think on this. In my home we only use vinegar or natural cleaners, we don't use plastics for anything we eat except for what's completely unavoidable. My kids eat organic/natural as much as I can afford to (my 16 year old had a Twinkie for the first time last year :( ).Now I'm worried about something called phalates?in soaps, shampoos, and perfumes? I lived in Colorado for 10 years where there seemed to be a lot more moms that felt this way, but since moving back to Florida I'm looked at like a freak. I don't understand why educated people can't take the time to look at ingredients before putting it into their body or home. I babysit my friend's daughter and she actually brings her own food her...loaded with preservatives, transfats, etc. I just don't get it! I know these things impact our health.

Answer 1

Yes,  in one very known case the chemical pesticide DDT that was used to kill insects that could carry vector born disease was linked to cancer. In the early 1950s they stopped using it in America but many countries in Africa continue to use it. In some cases animal off springs and human off springs were born without eyes and one with three arms.

Answer 2

Of course they do.

Answer 3

Anything in excess can, and will, have a negative impact on a person's health.  I applaud your efforts to have a healthy home but some of your fears might be misplaced.  Phthalates for example.  There is more than one phthalate compound.  It has several different molecular forms some of which are believed or known to be carcinogenetic.  This does not mean they are toxic when used in cosmetics, but they might contribute to the cause of cancer on a scale of 1 in a million people when exposed over a theoretical threshold limit.

The ratio 1 in a million is the standard for stating if something is carcinogenic.   Also determining the threshold limit is form of scientific hocus pocus.  

This kind of analysis leads to fears, real and imagined, that our lives are a constant battle between the anthropogenic environment and our health.  The reality is that death and illness from the environment occurs at lower rates now than ever in developed parts of the world.  However individuals should not ignore the opportunity to insure their own health, just stop worrying about everyone else’s.

Answer 4

Yes it plastic does if you eat it

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And organic will eventually be found to be dangerous to eat along with every thing else in the fresh produce section

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We right now have a tomato scare and millions of tomatoes are road kill if you eat them

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So you see the purpose of mankind is to scare mankind to death  

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Research will find that everything that mankind manufacturers will cause some type of cancer

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But another researcher group will find it does not

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So you are still left with that flip of a coin to chose who are you suppose to believe

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So just live in terror for the rest of your life or move to a deserted island is the only safe place for any person on earth to live and be free of any cancer causing chemical

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Only now on that desert island you can only come out of your cave at night cause the sun will cause skin cancer

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So what the heck are we suppose to do now