The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released its latest assessment of the chemicals people are carrying around in their bodies.

The biomonitoring study is the most comprehensive in the world, measuring 212 chemicals in the blood and urine of 8,000 Americans.

The CDC highlighted a few chemicals because they are both widespread -- found in all or most people tested -- and potentially harmful.

Here's a look at what they are:

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Better known as "flame retardants", PBDEs are used widely in all sorts of goods to reduce fire risk. They also accumulate in human fat, and some studies suggest they may harm your liver and kidneys as well as your neurological system. Some states have restricted the use of certain PBDEs, but short of such bans, avoiding them is difficult because the chemicals are integrated into so many products.

Bisphenol A

BPA, which is found in many plastics, in the lining of cans, and even coating many sales receipts and in newspaper ink, was found in more than 90 percent of Americans tested. The health concerns about BPA are many and growing. While BPA-free products are available, it can be difficult to find them unless you do research ahead of time.

PFOA

PFOA and other perfluorinated chemicals are used to create heat-resistant and non-stick coatings on cookware, as well as grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant clothing. Studies have linked these chemicals to a range of health problems, including infertility in women, and to developmental and reproductive problems in lab animals. Avoiding products that contain them is a first step towards avoiding them.

Acrylamide

Formed when carbohydrates are cooked at high temperatures, acrylamide and its metabolites are extremely common in Americans. High-level exposure has caused cancer and neurological problems in lab animals and workers, respectively. Avoiding it in food comes down to food choice, storage and preparation.

Mercury

The main source of mercury -- a potent neurotoxin that can lead to permanent brain damage if young children or fetuses are exposed -- continues to be contaminated fish. I do not recommend eating most fish for this reason.

MTBE

This gasoline additive has been phased out of use in the U.S. in favor of ethanol, but it still can be detected widely in American's bodies; it has contaminated many drinking water supplies. Studies have linked it to a variety of potential problems, including neurological and reproductive damage.


Source:

The Daily Green December 15, 2009

End

This is the reason I'm so anal about my food, where it comes from, how it's cooked and even if it's cooked at all. I try to eat all fruits and vegetables fresh, I never eat corn or soy, I avoid water unless I'm cooking with it and I won't buy food if it comes in a box, a can or a bag with the exception of bread. I also don't buy anything frozen except chicken. I don't eat red meat. It's an awful way to have to eat but it isn't much different than the way my grandparents ate when they were kids, before we had processed food which to me isn't much different than eating plastic.

I watch Ann's son and his girlfriend who are in their early 20s eating frozen pizza, microwave popcorn, canned food and lot's of red meat. It's unhealthy. I looked at the label on a drink Ann's son's girlfriend had the other day and it had Aspartame in it. I told her but she's still drinking it. I looked at a pack of gum Ann bought the other day and it had Aspartame in it. We threw it away.

The world we live in is poisoning all of us and killing us all very slowly. It's not an accident.