Part 2
Vaccines: The Cause or the Straw for Increased Illnesses and Developmental Issues?
By: Tammy Notch
3.0 Toxicity and Pollutants
3.1 In-Utero toxicity
Today’s world is filled with chemicals. They are in our water, air and soil; packaging for our food; construction of our homes; cookware; and the list goes on and on. These chemicals completely surround us in our daily lives. The Environmental Working Group, in 2005, reported that “U.S. industries manufacture and import approximately 75,000 chemicals and 3,000 of them at over a million pounds per year.”4 This is a huge number and the study is over 14 years old! Obviously, there is no way for us to completely avoid these chemicals and, since they are toxins to our body, there is no doubt that they are affecting our health. So, what about our children? If the mother is suffering from toxicity before becoming pregnant, does that toxicity impact the fetus? The answer is sadly ‘yes’, but “health officials do not know how many of these chemicals pollute fetal blood and what the health consequences of in-utero exposures may be.”4 Therefore, the Environmental Working Group conducted a study of ten randomly chosen children to determine what, if any, pollutants were being passed through the umbilical cord. The results were astonishing! “Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by the Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage.”4 Of these identified chemicals, “180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.”Tables 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 classify the identified specific chemicals into nine classes and describe what they are used for or where they come from. As you can see, these chemicals are widely used in our society, absorbed in our food and very toxic.
What’s very disturbing is that of the 413 total chemicals tested for in this Environmental Working Group study, there were 101 chemicals found in ALL umbilical cord blood samples! In addition, the “dangers of exposure to these chemicals in combination has never been studied.”4 Sadly, there is no denying that our babies are being born with a significant toxic load, but remember this study is over 14 years old! Since the pollution in our environment continues to rapidly increase, I anticipate these numbers to already be much higher and, regrettably, I fear this is just the beginning.
Table 3.1.1 – Chemicals and Pollutants Detected in Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Table 3.1.2 – Tests Show 287 Industrial Chemicals in 10 Newborn Babies
Pollutants include consumer product ingredients, banned industrial chemicals and pesticides, and waste byproducts.
Since we are completely surrounded by chemicals in today’s world, why are there not more studies on the impacts of chemicals in our society? Unfortunately, testing for these chemicals is very challenging and expensive because there are no regulations requiring chemical manufacturers to disclose ways to detect these chemicals. As a result, most laboratories are
unable to run the tests due to the lack of equipment and expertise. If the lab has the ability to test human tissue/blood for these chemicals, the cost is very expensive…the tests for this study cost a whopping $10,000 per sample! Clearly, this is the main reason there aren’t more studies conducted on the health effects from the toxic world we live in today.
3.2 Vaccine toxicity
As discussed above, vaccines were developed with the objective of artificially injecting a virus or bacteria in a weakened state to produce antibodies which would then defend the body in the future from the same virus or bacteria. Regardless, due to the way vaccine effectiveness is analyzed, there is no way to know if these vaccines really establish artificial immunity. Consequently, the next question that should be asked is “what is really in the vaccine” to determine if the risk of vaccine injection is worth the unknown possibility for artificial immunity to the illness. According to Judith DeCava, “each vaccine is made from decomposed protein, foreign to the body, which in itself can cause quick blood-poisoning. These foreign proteins include bacteria and/or ‘live’ or ‘dead’ viruses – toxoids which are toxins that have been treated to destroy their toxicity, but are still capable of inducing formation of ‘antibodies’. At least that is the supposition. These toxins are grown in cultures and/or nutrient ‘broths’ that contain decomposing, foreign proteins and harmful chemicals which also appear in the vaccines, such as monkey kidney cells or human diploid (containing two sets of chromosomes) cells, chick and duck embryos, beef heart infusion, dextrose (a refined sugar), antibiotics (such as neomycin or streptomycin), calf serum, phenol red (a chemical pH indicator and deadly poison), amino acids, casein and more. Stabilizers, inactivation chemicals, and preservatives are added such as sorbitol (a refined sugar), formaldehyde (a known cancer-causing agent), Thimerosal (a mercury derivative and extremely toxic chemical), alum, aluminum phosphate (aluminum has been connected with Alzheimer’s disease among others), aluminum and oil adjuvants (produces cancer in laboratory mice), acetone (a solvent used in nail polish remover; very volatile), glycerin (extract from fats which are putrefied and decomposed; harmful to many body tissues and organs), and more; all of these mentioned are known to be toxic.”5 In addition, many of these items such as formaldehyde, aluminum, mercury and acetone are toxic enough to be managed by the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), for worker safety, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for proper management and disposal of a hazardous material.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) website states “today’s vaccines use only the ingredients they need to be as safe and effective as possible” and they provide the information in Table 3.2.1.8 As you can see from the notes on this table, the CDC indicates that Thimerosal (ethyl mercury) is safe for injection into the body because the body processes it differently. However, in the first line of the table, they also indicate that you can get Thimerosal from eating certain kinds of fish. I grew up around Lake Erie where the population was warned to not eat over a certain amount of fish, and pregnant women were not to eat any, because of the mercury poisoning and accumulation in the body. If Thimerosal is safe because it is processed differently and it is found in the same fish we consume, then why were we warned to keep consumption of fish to a minimum? This definitely doesn’t make sense to me!
The CDC website also includes a summary of information extracted from manufacturers’ package inserts which lists the ingredients for each vaccine. I have listed, in Table 3.2.2, only those vaccines recommended within the first two years of life.8
On a side note, when I read Judith DeCava’s explanation of how the smallpox vaccine is manufactured, I was completely astonished and disgusted. She wrote: “A young calf has his belly shaved. Many slashes are made in the skin. A prior batch of smallpox vaccine is dropped into the slashes and allowed to fester over a period of days. During this time, the calf stands in a head-stock so that he can’t lick his belly. The calf then is led out of the stock to a table where he is strapped down. His belly scabs and pus are scraped off and ground into powder. That powder is the next batch of smallpox vaccine.”5 If people really understood that scabs and pus are a result of the immune system’s repair process trying to remove the infection and waste products from the body, would they really want this injected into their bloodstream? How could this really benefit any child?
Table 3.2.1 – What’s in Vaccines?
Table 3.2.2 – Vaccine Excipient Summary (excerpt)
4.0 Heavy Metal and Chemical Impacts to Normal Body Function
4.1 Body dysfunction and toxicity symptoms
Metal and chemical toxicity causes many dysfunctions in the body which present as a myriad of symptoms. Metals such as mercury and aluminum significantly suppress neurological and immune system operations in the body. These metals are not required for normal body function and, more disturbingly, they displace other nutrients such as iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, copper, manganese, etc. that are required. So, if a person frequently ingests foods where the metals have displaced the nutrients, dysfunction in the body will ultimately result. For instance, if iron is displaced, the body cannot maintain a healthy amount of red blood cells and Anemia results; if zinc is displaced, then there are usually problems with the reproductive organs and/or eyes.
Mercury is a strong neurotoxic metal and it “can cause many neuro-developmental conditions such as tics, speech delay, sleep disorders, attention deficit disorder and autism.”1 A major contributor to mercury toxicity today is dental amalgam tooth fillings. Many people are not aware that the amalgam residues from filling teeth are considered a hazardous waste and must be managed and disposed of according to OSHA and EPA regulations. So why is amalgam used? Basically, it is cheap. However, amalgam use began because it was considered ‘stable’ (i.e. won’t decay or release toxins) as long as it is not subjected to heat or abrasion. So, this sounds like a perfect area for application…as long as you don’t chew or eat anything warm/hot, your amalgam fillings are stable! Obviously, this is not the case, and the application on teeth is probably one of the worst areas to use this material. Not only is it inevitable that you will ingest these poisons, but due to the close proximity, the location increases the toxicity risk in the salivary glands and brain. Since the brain is the neurological control center, it is easy to understand that the effects of decreased neurological function due to mercury poisoning are horrifying. However, why are the effects on the salivary glands so important? These glands are responsible for salivary secretion which provides enzymes to begin the digestive process. The enzymes basically tag the food during the chewing process to initially identify what is coming through the digestive system allowing the body to prepare as necessary. If these glands become stressed due to the presence of toxic metals, they can easily become overwhelmed decreasing the ability to keep up with the demand of enzyme production and subsequently diminishing the body’s ability to properly separate the products of digestion into usable and toxic elements. Thus, the metals and chemicals are not harmlessly excreted as they would be if these glands are functioning optimally, but instead stored in the body. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that a strong immune system results from a healthy gut. Therefore, if digestion is negatively impacted, we can expect the function of the immune system will also degrade which will then stress other areas and the dysfunction will continue to escalate.
Aluminum is also a strong neurotoxic metal which can cause dementia, diminished mental function, forgetfulness, an inability to concentrate, Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, bone softening/loss, kidney and cardiovascular damage, anemia, fatigue, etc.2, 5, 6 Unfortunately, we regularly utilize aluminum products such as cooking pans and utensils, canned goods, antacids, deodorant, etc. which can introduce aluminum into our bodies through ingestion and absorption through the skin.
Cadmium and Lead are additional, highly toxic metals that are readily found in today’s environment. Cadmium is found in cigarette smoke, car fumes and other urban pollution which can cause Hypertension.2 The Government is aware of the toxicity from lead poisoning because they have very stringent regulations for lead in paint. However, they have failed to acknowledge lead solder which can still be purchased by the general public and is used in canned food packaging among many other applications.
Metal toxemia can present as many different symptoms, whether it be from food consumption or skin absorption. Less severe symptoms may include developmental and learning disabilities, hyperactivity, weakness “acne, graying of the skin, darkness around the eyes and headaches sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, indigestion or gastritis.”6 However, continued buildup or large doses of toxic metals can cause very significant symptoms such as Alzheimer’s disease, seizures, Multiple Sclerosis, encephalitis, blindness, deafness, multiple types of neuropathy, paralysis, retardation and even death because of the neurological impact on the body. According to Table 3.2.1, the Flu vaccine is the only one that contains Thimerosal (ethyl mercury) where there is a 432% increase in the incidence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. This Syndrome is an autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system where the person suffers with symptoms such as muscle weakness, pain, numbness and paralysis.2 However, Guillain-Barré Syndrome is also a side effect of other vaccines such as DTaP, Hib, Hep A & B and the MMR, which contain aluminum and/or very toxic chemicals such as Formaldehyde and Polysorbate 80.3, 5 Therefore, in my opinion, metal toxicity, regardless of the metal, can cause significant neurological dysfunction and symptoms.
Unfortunately, the chemicals that are in our environmental are also very hazardous to our health. The chemicals listed in Table 3.1.2 are just the tip of the iceberg. We live in a sea of chemicals in our homes (flooring/building materials, plastic containers, cookware such as Teflon, cleaners, etc.), in our food (herbicides, pesticides, preservatives, sugar, etc.), in our water (chlorine and other chemicals used for decontamination), in our air (industrial plant exhaust, byproducts from fuel burning, etc.) and the list goes on and on. The body is not equipped to manage the onslaught of chemicals from our environment and without regular cleansing the body will begin to show symptoms such as headaches, multiple types of arthritis, cancer, tooth decay and gum disease, asthma, allergies, pain, hives, brain fog, fatigue, poor functioning immune system, diabetes, etc.
4.2 In-utero developmental issues
The umbilical cord is a lifeline for the developing fetus, pulsing with nutrient and oxygen-rich blood. Regrettably, our toxic environment is generally reflected in the mother’s body and, per the Environmental Working Group 2005 study presented above, these pollutants are then shared through the umbilical cord blood to the fetus. In-utero development is the fastest and most complex in our entire lives. During this time, the fetus is developing from a single cell to a fully functional body complete with organs and systems. Unfortunately, “industrial chemicals that interrupt this intricate process can, at high levels, wreak havoc in the form of severe birth defects, or at lower levels cause subtle but important changes in development that surface later in childhood as learning or behavioral problems, or in adulthood in the form of certain cancers or perhaps neurodegenerative disease.”4 During development, the highest vulnerability is early in developmental stages when “cells are multiplying and differentiating into specific tissues and organs. Exposures during these times can lead to permanent damage. However, a child’s vulnerability continues long beyond early pregnancy: the central nervous system, immune, reproductive and endocrine systems, for example, continue to mature even after birth.”4 A child’s vulnerability, coupled with their immature immune system, makes the chemical exposures much more dangerous because:
· “A developing child’s chemical exposures are greater pound-for-pound than those of adults.
· An immature, porous blood-brain barrier allows greater chemical exposures to the developing brain.
· Children have lower levels of some chemical-binding proteins, allowing more of a chemical to reach ‘target organs’.
· A baby’s organs and systems are rapidly developing, and thus are often more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposure.
· Systems that detoxify and excrete industrial chemicals are not fully developed.
· The longer future life span of a child compared to an adult allows more time for adverse effects to arise.”
The dangers are also intensified by the fetus’ behaviors prior to birth such as swallowing and breathing where the pollutants are brought into the body through the amniotic fluid which collects the baby’s urine. Since the fetus is regularly receiving pollutants through the umbilical cord, the urine excreted by the baby also contains these same pollutants. Later in the pregnancy, the mother begins to dissolve stored fat, releasing even more pollutants and adding to the amount received by the baby. The EPA acknowledged in their cancer risk guidelines that carcinogens average 10 times more potent for babies than adults and some chemicals are up to 65 times more powerful.
Table 4.2.1 – Chemicals Found in 10 Newborns are Linked to a Number of Health Problems
The Environmental Working Group also linked the chemicals identified in the umbilical cord blood to specific health issues. Table 4.2.1 presents these issues ranging from birth defects to cancer, many of them affecting entire systems in our body. However, to really understand the effects of the chemicals passed from mother to infant, we have to know how they are transmitted and the impacts thereafter. According to this study:
Methylmercury – toxic
Infant transfer – amniotic and umbilical fluids
Linked health issues – severe neurotoxicity, including mental retardation; learning deficiencies & can delay mental development; developmental malformations; altered immune, reproductive, cardiovascular and kidney functions
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – toxic
Infant transfer – amniotic and umbilical fluids, inhaled, ingested or skin contact
Linked health issues – cancer; birth defects; toxic to the skin, blood, reproductive and immune systems
Polybrominated dibenzodioxins and furans (PBDD/F) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving)
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – birth defects; reproductive, immune, nervous and endocrine system damage; endocrine-related cancers
Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative
Body storage – persistent in the body for decades
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy
Linked health issues – many types of cancer; increased cholesterol and stroke; suppresses the immune system; birth defects; reproductive effects
Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, or chlorinated dioxins and furans) – extremely toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving) and are among the most toxic substances known to man
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – cancer, skin lesions; nervous, endocrine and immune system damage; altered carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, thyroid disruption; altered menstrual cycling; cardiovascular effects; endocrine-related cancers
Organochlorine Pesticides (OCs) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving)
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – brain damage; hormonal disruptions
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving)
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – impacts to learning, memory and behavior which increase with age; hearing deficits; delayed puberty; decreased sperm count; fetal malformations; cancer; reduced enzyme activity
Polychlorinated Napthalenes (PCNs) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving)
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – severe skin reactions; liver toxicity; irritation of the eyes; fatigue; headache; anemia; impotency; anorexia; nausea
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) – toxic, persistent, bio-accumulative and lipophilic (fat-loving)
Body storage – in fatty tissues and fluids such as breast milk
Infant transfer – passed during pregnancy and lactation
Linked health issues – a number of cancers; fetal and infant death; birth defects; brain damage; hormonal issues; skin lesions; thyroid disruption; damage to the nervous, immune and cardiovascular systems; decreased IQ; impaired psychomotor development
In 2005, when the Environmental Working Group conducted their study, many health issues were already increasing at an alarming rate (Table 4.2.2). As our world continues to manufacture chemicals at a frightening pace and these chemicals are released into our air, water and soil, there is no doubt that the health issues we face will increase dramatically.
Alarmingly, the chemical exposure during fetal development can not only impact the child’s entire life, but also future generations. According to the Environmental Working Group, “adult diseases linked to newborns’ low birth weight…cause adverse effects not only in those babies born small, but also in their children of any birth size, through heritable changes in gene expression that result in a phenomenon known as ‘epigenetic inheritance’. Very different from genetic mutations which are physical changes in gene structure, epigenetic inheritance is instead characterized by certain genes being turned on or off…since genes are responsible for making the chemicals that build and repair the body, this unnatural forcing to a permanent on or off position can have far-reaching consequences.”4 This notion is extremely alarming! Not only are our bodies already toxic, negatively impacting our normal body function and that of our offspring, but our future generations may also have genetic complications with their body’s ability to repair itself…this is a disastrous outlook for the human race!
Table 4.2.2 – Human Health Problems on the Rise
Sources: Yeargin-Allsopp et al. 2003, CDC 1995, Robison et al. 1995, Schecter 1999, Ananth et al. 2001, Branum and Schoendorf 2002, Swan et al. 1998, Paulozzi et al. 1997, Dunson et al. 2004, Trasande and Landrigan 2004, Jahnke et al. 2005 4
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