Successfully navigating and surviving military service with our good health intact requires a delicate balancing act of awareness, diligence and lady luck on our side. Hidden exposure risks can often go unnoticed, but can have severe long term health consequences. Many of us have been exposed while down range on deployments to dangerous chemical hazards as well as hazardous materials. The sheer gauntlet of toxic substances is longer than a C-5 flight manifest: Agent Orange, Mustard Gas, Radiation, contaminated Camp Lejeune Water, Gulf War illness, Burn Pits, Sulfur Fires, Oil Well Fires, Sand Storms, Project 112, and Depleted Uranium Munitions are all scientifically known to potentially have a negative impact on our wellbeing.
It's time again to “don and clear” the military PPE equipment, we’re at MOPP level 4! Forever and everywhere chemicals are both present and prominent throughout society. These insidious substances do not occur naturally in our environment, however the family tree of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl synthetic chemicals are found everywhere, including our blood stream. PFAS are a large chemical family of over 10,000 radical and highly persistent chemicals. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are also two chemicals in the PFAS family. They are also human-made chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. Phthalates are used in plastic manufacturing to increase flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. These endocrine disruptors have been found in several well-known food brands, including organic brands that are often marketed to children. Studies (2019 WWF – University of Newcastle, Australia and others) have found 5 grams of microplastics (equivalent to the weight of a credit card) are commonly ingested weekly causing serious problems to our overall health.
Here's your ‘Frag Order’: avoid using plastic wrap, water bottles, plastic containers, and cutting boards. If possible, get all plastics out of the kitchen altogether. Choose glass or stainless containers when available, and never microwave in a plastic container, use ceramic or glass instead. Many of these water-soluble compounds are made from petroleum chemical products and cause arrested development which is non-reversible and permanent. The good news is: remaining vigilant and informed will properly arm ourselves with the knowledge, tactics and ability to achieve our collective objective – living a long, prosperous and healthy life. For more in-depth information and analysis check out the links below – Semper Fidelis.
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