Workers at Risk
There is mounting evidence from occupational studies of the link between environmental toxins and autoimmune disease. In 2007, scientists from the National Institutes of Health announced a new report on exposures to chemicals and death from autoimmune disease. After studying 300,000 death certificates in 26 states over a 14-year period, researchers found that people who worked with pesticides, textiles, hand painting, solvents (such as TCE), benzene, asbestos, and other compounds were significantly more likely to die from an autoimmune disease than people who were not exposed. Other recent studies likewise show links between working with pesticides, TCE solvents, silica, asbestos, PCBs and vinyl chloride and a greater likelihood of developing autoimmune disease.
Donna Jackson Nakazawa is a nationally acclaimed researcher, writer and public speaker on health and family issues. She is the author of the recent book, The Autoimmune Epidemic.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:05 am
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.