formaldehyde in sick buildings and from aspartame: Thrasher: Murray: 11.17.2 rmforall

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formaldehyde in sick buildings and from aspartame:

Thrasher: Murray: 11.17.2 rmforall

aspartameNM/message/867

http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_1990.html

Arch Environ Health 1990 Jul-Aug;45(4):217-23

Immune activation and autoantibodies in humans

with long-term inhalation exposure to formaldehyde.

Thrasher JD, Broughton A, Madison R.

Thrasher & Associates, Northridge, California.

Jack D. Thrasher, PhD, studied several groups of patients from sick

buildings, finding immune system symptoms that are similar to the

problems that aspartame reactors report [NutraSweet, Equal].

The common factor is chronic long-term, low-level formaldehyde exposure.

Many scientists agree that it is possible to use a lot of

aspartame daily, particularly from diet soda, and that its methanol

component, exactly 11% by weight, is quickly released in the GI tract,

metabolized into the about same weight of formaldehyde, then

subsequently and quickly into formic acid,

and thence to carbon dioxide and water.

J. Nutrition 1973 Oct; 103(10): 1454-1459.

Metabolism of aspartame in monkeys.

Oppermann JA, Muldoon E, Ranney RE.

Dept. of Biochemistry, Searle Laboratories,

Division of G.D. Searle and Co. Box 5110, Chicago, IL 60680

They found that about 70% of the radioactive methanol in aspartame put

into the stomachs of 3 to 7 kg monkeys was eliminated within a day as

carbon dioxide in exhaled air and as water in the urine. They did not

mention that this meant that about 30% of the methanol must transform

into formaldehyde and then into formic acid, much of which must remain

as toxic products in all parts of the body. They did not report any

studies on the distribution of radioactivity in body tissues, except

that blood plasma proteins after 4 days held 4% of the initial

methanol. This study did not monitor long-term use of aspartame.

The question is: how much of this formaldehyde and formic acid, both

deadly, potent, cumulative toxins with complex multiple effects,

as much as 7 mg total from the 200 mg aspartame in a 12-oz can of diet

soda, result in various toxic processes in people?

Bear in mind that the EPA limit [see below] for formaldehyde in

drinking water is 1 ppm,

or 2 mg daily for a typical daily consumption of 2 L of water.

aspartameNM/message/835

RTM: ATSDR: EPA limit 1 ppm formaldehyde in drinking water July 1999

5.30.2 rmforall

Thrasher's report about symptoms from long-term, low-level exposure to

formaldehyde gives much the same litany of complex symptoms as

aspartame reactors, who often report using 2-4 L daily of diet soda,

providing 112-224 mg methanol, resulting in chronic formaldehyde and

formic acid toxicity.

The most common symptoms are, in rough order of occurence: * headaches

* many body and joint pains (or burning, tingling, tremors, twitching,

spasms, cramps, or numbness) * fever, fatigue

* " mind fog " , " feel unreal " , poor memory, confusion, anxiety,

irritability, depression, mania, insomnia, dizziness, slurred speech,

ringing in ears, sexual problems, poor vision, hearing, or taste

* red face, itching, rashes, burning eyes or throat,

dry mouth or eyes, mouth sores * hair loss

* obesity, bloating, edema, anorexia,

poor or excessive hunger or thirst * breathing problems

* nausea, diarrhea or constipation * coldness * sweating

* racing heart, high blood pressure, erratic blood sugar levels

* seizures * birth defects * brain cancers * addiction

* aggrivates diabetes, autism, ADHD, allergies,

and interstitial cystitis (bladder pain).

[Extracts} Inhalation exposure to formaldehyde (HCHO)

is associated with symptoms of irritation to mucous membranes, (1,2)

chronic health problems (e.g., asthma, (2) nasopharyngeal cancer, (3)

and multiple subjective health complaints. (4,5) )

Recent observations have shown that both humoral-and cell-mediated

immunologic mechanisms occur in humans with long-term

HCHO exposure. Antibodies of all isotypes to HCHO conjugated human

serum albumin (HCHO-HSA) are demonstrable in HCHO anaphylaxis, (6)

hemodialysis patients, (7) mobile home residents, (4) persons with

occupational exposures, (5,8) office workers, (9) and in persons in

other environments. (4)

In addition, changes in cell-mediated immunity include increases in

eosinophils, basophils, and T-suppressor cells

following acute exposure of patients with HCHO asthma. (10) Moreover,

individuals with multiple subjective health complaints associated with

long-term HCHO inhalation have evidence of immune activation and the

presence of autoantibodies. (4,5)

The patients in our study had symptoms and complaints

related to several organs, as described previously, (4,5,9)

which were similar to symptoms

of workers with multiple chemical sensitivity,(11) cacosmia,(12) and

other chemical exposures. (13-15) We report on the differences in

humoral and cell-mediated immunity in humans with long-term inhalation

exposure to HCHO vs. asymptomatic students (controls) who experienced

short-term, periodic exposure to the chemical.

[ http://lassesen.com/cfids/cacosmia.htm

Cacosmia (a.k.a. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) Details:

* Chemical odour intolerance induced headache, itching eyes, irritated

or congested nose, dry and/or sore throat, cough, dizziness,

and itching or rash.

* Cacosmics reported increased prevalence of physician-diagnosed

nasal allergies, breast cysts, hypothyroidism, sinusitis, food

sensitivities, irritable bowel, and migraine headache.

Resource: http://www.mcsrr.org ]

Five groups of subjects exposed to HCHO,

who gave informed consent, were included in this study. (1)

Controls consisted

of students of chiropractic medicine (16 males, 12 females), mean age =

29 +- 9 y) exposed to HCHO for 13 h/wk for 28 wk while studying human

anatomy. Immunologic tests were performed 12 mo following the last

classroom exposure.

No measurements of HCHO concentrations were made.

It is assumed that classroom ambient concentrations were at least 0.43

ppm. [1.] The students stated that during exposure they experienced

eye, nose and throat irritation and that there was a pungent odor of

HCHO. They did not have residual health complaints (symptoms), and

they were asymptomatic at the time blood was taken. [2.] Mobile home

residents consisted of 19 patients (6 males, 13 females), mean age 41

+-20 y) who currently lived in mobile homes. The patients had lived in

their environments for 2-7 y and reported multiple symptoms. (4,9)

Measured HCHO concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 ppm at the time

blood samples were taken.

[3.] Office workers included 21 patients (5 males, 16 females,

mean age of 40 +-10 y) who worked in new office buildings

where there was inadequate ventilation (closed buildings).

The patients had multiple health complaints. (9)

It was determined from medical histories that their symptoms commenced

with employment, waned when away from work (i.e., weekends, holidays,

vacations) and became worse upon return to work.

No HCO measurements were done; however, closed

buildings have ambient concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.77 ppm.

(1,16) [4.] This group included 21 patients (10 males, 11 females,

mean age of 35 + -17 y) who had multiple symptoms and who had been

removed from their original sources of HCHO exposure (mobile homes

and/or particleboard subflooring) for at least 1 y. The HCHO

concentrations measured during their exposures ranged from 0.14 to 0.81

ppm. [5.] Occupationally exposed patients

(6 males, 2 females, mean age of 45 + -11 y)

had HCHO exposures from the following: biology and human

anatomy classes, mortuary, pathology, physical therapy, formica

furniture (particleboard), and carbonless copy paper. Information on

six of these patients was previously published. (5)

Symptoms. All patients in this study had sought continuous medical

attention because of multiple organ symptoms involving the central

nervous system (CNS) (headaches, memory loss, difficulty completing

tasks, dizziness), upper- and lower-respiratory symptoms,

skeletal-muscle complaints, and gastroenteritis. Three common symptoms

were expressed: [1.] and initial flu-like illness from which they had

not fully recovered; [2.] chronic fatigue; and [3.] an olfactory

sensitivity to ambient conditions containing low concentrations of

chemicals. (4,9,11)....

Higher anti-HCHO-HSA isotypes (i.e, 1:16 or greater) are present in the

patients v. controls. One explanation for this difference is simply

the lag time between the last exposure v. the time of antibody

detection. However, the higher titers of IgE and IgM isotypes in the

patients suggests that a more recent exposure has occurred,

particularly if the higher IgG titers are considered also.

In this vein, the patients complain of a sensitivity

(both olfactory and respiratory) to

environments containing low concentrations of HCHO and other chemicals.

Thus, the higher titers may indicate that their immune systems are on

constant alert, undergoing continuous activation upon encountering and

recognizing environmental haptens. (4-6,8,9)

It would be of interest to examine for other haptens to which the

patients may be responding. (9) [Aspartame is a good example.]

The higher antibody titers and the larger proportion

of individuals with anti-HCHO isotypes in the

removed patients v. controls merit comment.

Both groups were at least 1 y removed from their original source of

exposure. However, the controls were asymptomatic,

whereas the patients experienced ongoing

health problems associated with environmental exposures,

e.g. new carpets, fresh paints, new furnishings, diesel

exhaust, and perfumes. Thus, it appears that long-term low-level

exposure to HCHO, and possibly other haptens, lead to immunological

recognition and immune activation in sensitized individuals.

Apparently, shorter periodic exposure to HCHO

may lead to recognition but not necessarily immune activation.

Moreover, chronic low-level exposures to

HCHO appear to effect a sensitivity to environmental chemicals.(4-6,

8,9) Perhaps the anti-HCHO-HSA isotypes in these patients is but one

aspect of a multiple immunologic response to environmental exposures as

observed in building-related illness. (9)

It is recognized that chemicals and therapeutic drugs are associated

with a Lupus-like syndrome. (28,29 ) The observations made on the

patients in this study support this concept. The percentage of specific

autoantibodies (e.g., ASS, APC, ANA, etc.) are consistently higher in

the patients vs. controls (Table 4). Moreover, the odds ratios for the

presence of at least 1, 2 or 3 autoantibodies are greater in the

residents of mobile homes and office workers (p <.05) relative to

controls (Table 5).

Presently, autoimmune disorders have not been diagnosed clinically in

these patients. However, current investigations in progress appear to

correlate the presence of APC autoantibodies with gastritis complaints

and antimyelin autantibodies with CNS and PNS symptoms.

In conclusion, measurements of changes in WBCs, T cells, and H/S ratios

in individuals with apparent chemical sensitivities appear to be

inadequate immune parameters to examine. If one assumes that these

individuals respond immunogically to environmental chemicals,

investigations into autoimmunity and immune activation and

perturbations in the interleukins, luekotreines, prostglandins, and

other immunologic mediators appear to be fruitful areas for further

research. (29-32)

Thus, it appears that HCHO sensitivity is a real phenomenon

and requires further research. (4,27-32 ) [End of report]

http://www.drthrasher.org/formaldehyde_embryo_toxicity.html

Arch Environ Health 2001 Jul-Aug; 56(4): 300-11

Embryo toxicity and teratogenicity of formaldehyde.

Thrasher JD, Kilburn KH.

http://www.aal.xohost.com/allabout.htm

Alan Broughton, MD, PhD inquire@...

AAL Reference Laboratories, Inc.[formerly Antibody Assay Laboratories]

1715 E. Wilshire #715 Santa Ana, Ca 92705

(714)972-9979 Fax: (714)543-2034

(800)522-2611(US and Canada) - Physicians Only Please

a Madison, D.P.H. roberta.madison@...

Dept. Health Science, California State University

Northridge, California

(818)-677-2969 fax (818) 677-3977

**********************************************************

Rich Murray, MA Room For All rmforall@...

1943 Otowi Road, Santa Fe NM 87505 USA 505-986-9103

aspartameNM/messages

for 889 posts in a public searchable archive

aspartameNM/message/861 brief review

aspartameNM/message/862 long review

aspartameNM/message/860

RTM: FDA: objections to neotame approval 8.3.2 rmforall 38 pages

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Subject: [] Re: " maybe " she has MS

Date: Thu, 14 Nov 2002 07:20:07 -0500

From: pmaurer134320MI@...

Reply-

Don't wait for a doctor to figure it out. No doctor is going to come

out and look at your house.

Take the bull by the horns. Better yet, give the doctor the book " Help,

My House is Killing Me " by Mr. May.

My allergies gave me symptoms like MS (especially new carpeting). I

went to lots of good doctors,

but it took my own research to put it all together.

Perhaps the town or county building inspectors could help.

Obviously they need to get out of that building. At a minimum perhaps

the landlord has another apartment that is dry.

I always choose an apartment on a higher floor. Ground floor apartments

are frequently damp.

Once the mold spores are there they will never go away, and the mold

will grow again once the conditions are right.

If the building is so damp that mushrooms sprouted, i wouldn't hold out

much hope it will be repaired properly.

It is possible they are now sensitized to mold and therefore an

anti-yeast diet might help them.

That involves avoiding distilled products like vinegar (pickles, catsup,

mustard), alcohol, as well as avoiding concentrated sources of sugar.

Fruit juice should be diluted with water. Also yeasty

things like bread, beer. You can look this up in books by Crook or

Null.

Maurer, Michigan

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