Levels of lead in Americans’ bodies declining

Past public health initiatives to remove lead from gasoline and paint and restrict smoking have had an effect in reducing the level of contaminants in Americans’ bodies. That’s the good news.

But there are hundreds of other toxins out there that are collecting in our bodies, so there is still much to be done. Reports of dead birds and mutated fish have been in the news, as animals find themselves affected by chemicals that we humans have been releasing into the environment. (Click here to see some freaky “Frankenfish” caught by someone fishing in the Great Lakes.)

Pretty soon, it’s all going to catch up with us. Already, “5.7 percent of women [of child-bearing age]… [have mercury] levels close to what is believed to cause birth defects”. Contaminants have been showing up in breast milk, and even unborn babies are already exposed to toxins in the womb. I guess it will take more deformed babies before we do something about it. Maybe if a world leader or a celebrity has a deformed child people will start caring.

I mean, some people are knowingly doing things that they know are bad for the environment, and it seems as if they don’t care one bit that they are causing harm. Don’t they realize their grandchildren and great grandchildren will suffer for their actions?

The good thing is we can still do something about this. Regulating industries, forcing them to be more environmentally-friendly, and educating people can make a difference. We can make changes in our lifestyles that can have a positive impact.

If only people realized the urgency of this. Many people are still in denial about the long-term consequences of our modern throwaway lifestyles and industrial practices on the environment and on ourselves.