Tons. TONS. We did a small risk analysis unit in a class I took 2 semesters ago and we're getting hit by anything and everything. Just a few examples: #2 soda bottles leach a chemical that has been shown to cause male amphibians to transition to females. Brick homes and the basements of all homes release radiation detectable above background rates Coal fired power plants release relatively large amounts of mercury into the air Nearly all fruits should ALWAYS be peeled due to the sheer number of chemicals applied during growing and shipping The list goes on and on and on. On average, the "acceptable" risk in human populations can be as low as 1 death or reaction in as few as 10,000 individuals.

plus the toxins in exhaust fumes, and cigarette smoke and cigar smoke, and fireplace smoke. most people think it all goes up...but the heavy smoke lingers around at ground level. for us to breathe.

We are presently being exposed to thousands of toxic compounds in the form of inorganic chemicals and toxic metals. These substances are everywhere: The air we breathe, the foods we eat, the water we drink and bathe in, as well as drugs, vaccines, cleaning products, paints, solvents, glues, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Due to this constant exposure, our bodies are now storing hundreds of these toxic metals and chemicals. Studies indicate that we have between 400 and 800 toxic metal and chemical residues stored in our bodies. They accumulate in our fat cells, in our major organs such as the liver, kidneys and brain; in our glands such as the thyroid and adrenals; and throughout our central nervous system. For some revealing chemical facts go to http://www.evenbetternow.com/chemical-toxicity.asp There are 34,000 pesticides and herbicides registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as 65,000 other chemicals. Over one-fourth of the 4 billion pounds of pesticides used in the world annually are used in the United States. Each year, 10,000 chemicals are being synthesized by industry and added to the over 1 million already in existence. Environmental toxins are chemical toxins that come into our bodies via air, water, food or direct contact with the skin. Virtually all of us are now in a state of toxic overload from environmental toxins. Small toxic exposures each day (from common sources such as breakfast cereal, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, perfume, deodorant, hair dye, newspapers, magazines, exhaust fumes, carpets, new mattresses, dry cleaning or a newly-painted bedroom) will increasingly exceed and even incapacitate our body’s ability to detoxify. This causes these chemicals to accumulate to levels that will make us sick. Most people make little effort to avoid toxins because officially-established tolerances presume that toxin levels are within safe limits. Unless we make deliberate choices to avoid or minimize toxic exposures, we are constantly eating foods with trace toxins, drinking water with trace toxins, using personal products with trace toxins and breathing toxic air. By the end of each day, these toxic contaminants often reach a substantial cumulative total. EPA scientists found that the total toxic residues in our daily diet can exceed 500 percent of the recommended daily maximum—even if each individual exposure is within "safe" limits! Most pesticides, herbicides and fungicides accumulate in fatty tissues and tend to settle in the bones. Fluoride builds up in the brain, thyroid and bones. Once in these storage sites, they can remain for decades or even a lifetime. Several studies have shown that the average person—no matter where that person lives (even in the Arctic regions)—has 40 to 75 organic chemical residues located in fat tissue—including the breast tissue in women. The accumulation of these toxic chemicals and metals results in our body not being able to assimilate and utilize essential minerals such as iron, calcium and magnesium. This causes enzyme dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, neurological disorders, damage to brain chemistry, and can even lead to auto-immune disorders, cancer, and other debilitating chronic conditions. In order to lessen the body’s burden of toxins, we can consciously attempt to minimize exposures by choices we make in eating, drinking and by avoiding chemical exposures wherever possible. We can also do a few simple, inexpensive things to help remove toxins from our tissues. http://www.proliberty.com/observer/20080201.htm