A naturopathic doctor discussed the toxic nature of environmental toxins.

On March 14, 35 people listened to Dr. Marianne Marchese, N.D. lecture on the increasing toxic environment of pesticides, heavy metals, and synthetic plastic compounds that invade our bodies and cause or contribute to a host of conditions, including cancer.

“We can't live in a bubble, but we need to do the best we can,” said Dr. Marchese.

The lecture served as the fifth installment of the weekly holistic health speaker's series, which was held in the Creative Arts building, room 106 at 7:30 p.m.

However, the offending sources may be difficult to avoid.

Hairspray, most toiletries, perfumes and cosmetics, as well as plastic compounds in upholstery and carpeting are major sources of toxicity. Pesticides found in the environment and on produce are equally dangerous, and taking the right steps to avoid them can be difficult.

Toxins, according to Marchese, are defined as anything that we come in contact with that is irritable, through touch, ingestion or inhalation. The longer we live, the greater our “total body burden” of toxic substances becomes. This burden is an accumulation of exposure, which can lead to an overload in the body, or state of toxicity, which is achieved once the body can no longer efficiently eliminate toxins, she said.

Some of the worst offenders were what Marchese classified as “hormone disrupters.”

Disrupters have the ability to interact with hormones such as estrogen and testosterone by either binding to or activating the hormone receptors, causing a disruption of their normal functioning that is linked to among other things, infertility, precocious puberty, miscarriages and breast cancer.

Two of these, Phtalates and Bisphenol-A, are components of many plastics and are used to make them bendable and strong. They can be found in bottles, CD cases and even hairspray, and “new car smell.”

According to Marchese, it is important to note the recycling code on the bottom of plastic containers and bottles. The codes 1, 3 and 7, are manufactured to be the most readily recycled by using greater amounts of Phtalates and Bisphenol-A, and therefore, are the least safe to use.

Plastic products with the codes 2, 4 or 5, are considered the safest, although it is still best to use alternate receptacles, ideally made from glass.

The food supply is another major source of toxicity. Marchese emphasized the importance of purchasing only organic produce, grown without pesticides that accumulate in the body, particularly the fatty tissue where it can be stored indefinitely. Some of the most contaminated conventionally grown produce includes apples, strawberries, celery, bell peppers, grapes etc., and it is especially important to purchase organic when buying these, she said.

Marchese also recommended that everyone use a water filter for drinking as well as on their showerhead to remove chlorine, which can emit chloroform gas.

Students found the lecture to be very informative.

“There was a lot of very specific information, and she (Dr. Marchese) was a great speaker,” said Katie Salsbury, 19, biology major.

Salsbury also said that she is currently looking into the purchase of a water filter, but in the meantime, is conscientious in her purchase of natural body care products, such as toothpaste and deodorant.

Physiology major Lisa Schamber, 24, has also made changes in her lifestyle, particularly after starting her studies in the holistic health department.

"I've stopped using harsh cleaning products and detergents," she said, adding that she also uses the supplement milk thistle to support liver function, which is a key to eliminating toxins.

Holistic Health professor and series host, Sally LaMont, said that in the case of environmental toxins and their impact on health, the "precautionary principle" should be applied since most of the chemicals have not been studied and little is known about their cumulative effects over time.

"When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken, even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically," she said.

LaMont also stressed the lecture's importance when she said that students are "both uncomfortable with the knowledge presented (in the lecture) but also empowered by it," because "they were given resources to lower their risk of developing disease, and further inspired to become advocates for social and political change."