Study: Co-exposures of two chemicals at safe levels doubles chances of cancer

A recent peer-reviewed study by researchers at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech has huge implications for people living in fracking zones of sacrifice where they are continuously exposed to numerous chemical compounds.

Researchers found that co-exposures of chemicals at low and safe levels creates a greater impact and can double the risk of cancer.

“The majority of cancers are caused by environmental influences,” Singh said. “Only about 5 to 10 percent of cancers are due to genetic predisposition. Science has looked at these chemicals, such as arsenic, and tested them in a lab to find the amounts that may cause cancer. But that’s just a single chemical in a single test. In the real world, we are getting exposed to many chemicals at once.”

Researchers Find Cancer Risks Double When Two Carcinogens Present at ‘Safe’ Levels

These findings might explain why the leading cause of death in Denton is cancer not heart disease like the rest of the country. Denton has 7,812+ pieces of Barnett Shale pollution emitters that are emitting carcinogens into the air.

In this study, the researchers focused on arsenic and estrogen which is why Denton park staff has recommended replacing the playground equipment built from arsenic treated wood at South Lakes Park.

An example of co-exposures given by the Denton Record Chronicle hits home for people whose water has been contaminated with arsenic after fracking:

For example, if someone drinks water contaminated by arsenic, but at a level considered safe by toxicologists, that is considered a chronic exposure. At the same time, if that person is also exposed to estrogen — by eating chicken that was given feed with the hormone, for example — questions emerge about the combined effect.

Research raises concerns
Officials recommend replacing wooden playground at South Lakes Park
By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe
Published: 02 July 2013 09:38 PM

After fracking and drilling was well established in Argyle, Texas, air tests, on the lot where the high school band practices, detected 65 of the 84 chemicals TCEQ tests for–an increase of 58 chemicals over the baseline testing done by citizens. I asked scientists and doctors this question: What is the increased risk to our children? I’ve been asking that question for three years now and no one has an answer.

From an old blog post

Parents voice health concerns
Gas drilling near Argyle schools making kids ill, residents tell board
Sunday, October 24, 2010
By Lowell Brown and Britney Tabor / Staff Writers

Baseline testing when drilling was just getting started in Argyle showed 7 detects of the 84 chemicals  typically tested for by TCEQ. Follow up testing on the lot where the high school band practices showed 65 detects of the 84 chemicals typically tested for by TCEQ. (Flowback: How the Texas Natural Gas Boom Affects Health and Safety) The lot is 1/2 mile from the offending facility.

I have asked many scientists this question: What is the additional risk to our children when they go from breathing 7 chemicals to a cocktail of 65 chemicals. To date, no one has been able to answer with anything besides, “We don’t know.”

For years now, state and private testing has shown many chemicals associated with drilling and fracking in the air in our communities. But regulators will take no action unless the levels are very high.  See list of chemicals detected in one release in Argyle.

A Denton resident expressed my thoughts perfectly in the DRC article.

“It’s crazy that we don’t know that yet,” McMullen said. “As a nurse, we can lose our license if we don’t explore and inform our patients of drug interactions. There’s always a cause and effect, even with the most benign things.”

Chemicals mixtures in the fracking zone is beginning to get on the radar of toxicologists. David Brown, a public health toxicologist with Southwest Pennsylvania Environmental Health Project has a video that discusses “Fundamental Chemical Toxicology with Exposure Related to Shale Gas…” I listened to that and posted notes here: Chemical Toxicology In the Fracking Zone.

34:20 “The major problem is the mixture problem. And I can’t overemphasize how serious that is in trying to understand what’s going on… The presence of one agent can increase the toxicity of another agent by several fold.”

The fracking shale boom is exploding all across America and the planet. Drilling and fracking is encroaching into the backyards of our communities and gobbling up precious farmland and scarce water before we have answers to our most basic question: What is the increased risk to our children? 

We must stop permitting any new shale oil and gas wells until we can answer–at the least–this one basic question!