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Organophosphates
Organophosphates (OPs) are chemicals that can carry toxic effects. OPs are created from a chemical reaction between phosphoric acids and alcohol. These chemical substances were originally used as insecticides in the 1930s. Around the onset of WWII, the German military developed these substances into neurotoxins. They can adversely affect neuromuscular transmission due to their function as cholinesterase inhibitors.
Many OPs are still used as insecticides in both domestic and agricultural applications. Overexposure to OPs can result in neurological, psychiatric, and even neuropsychological outcomes, according to studies posted in the book Gulf War and Health: Volume 1: Depleted Uranium, Sarin, Pyridostigmine Bromide, Vaccines. Short-term exposure to OPs can also result in negative outcomes.
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Heavy Metals
Other toxins that many people are exposed to are heavy metals that can also have detrimental effects on the immune system. Heavy metals are those particles of metals with a density of 5g/3cm or greater; in large amounts, these heavy metals can have a serious effect on living organisms by weakening their immune function. In addition to being potentially toxic, heavy metals have no beneficial role in the human body. According to a study published in the 2014 Interdisciplinary Toxicology, many of these heavy metals can hamper normal biological processes; these metals have the tendency of binding with proteins in the body that would otherwise be activated by beneficial minerals like magnesium or zinc. When they enter the body, heavy metals can have negative effects, including causing chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular interference.
Some of the more common minerals that fall into the category of toxic heavy metals include cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead, and aluminum. Lead is commonly found in paints that contain lead, cosmetics, municipal water supplies, tobacco products, and contaminated foods; arsenic is often found in pesticides, apple juice, glasswork, commercially-grown produce, rice products, and smelting and semiconductor production. Mercury is often found in seafood, dental amalgam tooth fillings, and certain vaccines. Cadmium is found in metalworking, tobacco products, contaminated foods, battery manufacturing, and soldering; aluminum is found in vaccinations, municipal water supplies, deodorants, processed foods, canned foods, and certain canned drinks. You can learn more about heavy metals in this article.
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Phthalates
Phthalates are another group of toxins that have been found to be very toxic and have an especially negative effect on immune function. Phthalates are most commonly found in cosmetics but have also been found in other products. According to the reports from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), these chemicals are used extensively in the production of toys, vinyl wall coverings and flooring, food packaging, blood bags, pharmaceuticals, detergents, hair spray, shampoo, nail polish, perfume, aftershave lotion, and other fragrance preparations.
Research has been done on the exact toxic effects of phthalates and how exactly they weaken the immune system. According to a report in the 2009 Philosophical Transactions B, further research is needed on the extent of adverse health effects of phthalates. A study in the 2010 Environmental Health Perspectives stated that exposure to phthalates is connected to the onset of breast cancer.
