3 Toxic Chemicals That Affect the Human Brain

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Chemicals are everywhere. They are present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Cosmetics, toys, furniture, and cleaning products are also not spared. Even these include chemicals at alarming levels.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has listed over 83,000 chemicals on its inventory of substances that fall under the TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act). Almost all chemicals– man-made or natural– are toxic, both for the environment and human health. Exposure to toxic chemicals can weaken the immune system, damage organs, and contribute to reproductive problems and birth defects.

But did you know that prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals can harm the human brain? Exposure to environmental toxins could be the reason behind the rise in neurological disorders. A recent feature of The Guardian reveals this.

Which toxins should you steer clear of, then? While there are many, we’ll discuss the most important chemicals in this guide.

#1 Trichloroethylene

This common environmental and occupational contaminant, trichloroethylene (TCE), is an acknowledged neurotoxicant. TCE, a manufactured chemical, is commonly used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning.

Exposure to high concentrations of TCE has shown adverse effects on mood, behavior, and cognitive function. As this chemical compound is lipophilic (attracted to lipids), it distributes readily in the body tissues and the brain and causes mitochondrial dysfunction at high doses. In animal studies, TCE results in selective loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells, a characteristic of Parkinson’s disease in humans.

People who have worked with TCE are at an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s, reveals the University of Rochester Medical Center.

The primary source of TCE in the environment is industrial processes. Improper disposal of industrial wastes can cause this chemical to enter surface water and groundwater. Reportedly, TCE has polluted up to one-third of groundwater in the U.S.

Numerous military sites are also contaminated with TCE, including the Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. This military base, which housed more than a million Marines, civilians, and their families, had this chemical in their drinking water at shocking levels. The wells that supplied water to Camp Lejeune had TCE 280 times higher than the established safety standards.

A groundbreaking epidemiological study has disclosed that exposure to the chemical solvent TCE increases a person’s likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease. The report, published in JAMA Neurology, revealed that the drinking water heavily polluted with TCE had a 70% higher chance of developing Parkinson’s disease than veterans who were trained elsewhere.

More than a thousand lawsuits and about 150,000 have been filed against the U.S. government over the contamination of TCE. The Camp Lejeune litigation is expected to see its first trials in 2024. This marks a significant step forward in one of the largest mass tort cases. Initial trials will focus on serious health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, informs TorHoerman Law.

The potential Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout per person varies significantly from person to person. The severity of the condition and the duration of exposure to the toxic water determines the amount plaintiffs will receive as compensation. However, lawyers estimate that victims can receive anywhere between $10,000 and over $1,000,000.

#2 Lead

In terms of neurodevelopment, lead is the most researched compound. This highly toxic heavy metal can mimic calcium, a key player in brain chemistry, and sneak into an otherwise well-protected brain. Lead interferes with calcium’s regulatory action on cell functions and disturbs numerous intracellular biological processes.

Lead-induced damage in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cerebral cortex can result in numerous neurological disorders. These include mental retardation, brain damage, nerve damage, behavioral problems, and possibly Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia.

Humans are most vulnerable to this toxic chemical in the prenatal and early childhood periods. These are the periods when the brain and other systems grow and develop quickly. Even trace amounts of lead in the bloodstream of children can lead to numerous health issues. These include behavioral problems, learning problems, delayed growth and cognitive development, hyperactivity, and lower IQ scores.

Over 170 million Americans alive today lost a collective 824 million IQ points due to exposure to leaded gasoline in childhood. A 2022 article published in Duke Today discloses this.

#3 Manganese

Manganese is an essential mineral required by the body to function properly. This trace mineral helps the body form bones, connective tissues, sex hormones, and blood clotting factors. Manganese is also essential for healthy brain and nerve function.

This mineral is present in the body in tiny amounts, mainly in the liver, bones, pancreas, and kidneys. Rich dietary sources of manganese include wheat germ and whole grains, pineapple, legumes, and nuts and seeds.

However, too much of this mineral in the diet can lead to high levels of manganese in the body tissues. Excessive concentrations of manganese in the brain, especially in the basal ganglia, are linked with neurological disorders bearing a resemblance to Parkinson’s disease.

Numerous studies demonstrate that welders may be at an increased risk of neurobehavioral and neurological effects when exposed to manganese.

Chronic exposure to this trace element can lead to manganism, a neurological disorder. The pathological symptoms of this disease are similar to that of Parkison’s. Manganism is believed to cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system of welders.

Recent research has observed that exposure to manganese might be beneficial for memory and verbal learning in the prenatal and postnatal periods but not in childhood. The study links childhood manganese exposure with ADHD diagnosis and worsened attention-related behaviors.

Putting it all together, exposure to environmental toxins can affect the brain negatively. They increase a person’s risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease and result in cognitive decline.

More than that, exposure to these toxins during the critical period of brain development can lead to birth defects and developmental disorders. Methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic, and toluene are other toxins harming the brains of Americans.

Avoiding these chemicals completely isn’t possible, but you can reduce exposure by keeping them out of your surroundings.

As lead is present in dust, mop your home regularly to eliminate it from your space. Avoid dry cleaning your clothes. Instead, hand wash them. This will minimize exposure to dry cleaning solvents such as TCE.

Keep your doors and windows shut on dry and windy days to avoid exposure to manganese dust. Also, opt for products that are labeled as “non-toxic” and “organic.” Taking these measures will make your home safe and healthy.