An American writer decides to take a test to determine the level of foreign substances in his body. Laboratory test results indicate that some substances, some of which are used to reduce flammability of materials, are present in his blood. The level of concentration of these compounds is many times higher than the level that would be found in an average American.
The writer says that an average person would not afford to take the tests since they cost more than fifteen thousand United States dollars. His tests are sponsored by National Geographic. He also notes that there are only a few laboratories in the world where one can be tested for the compounds. A high level of concentration of an organic compound of bromine, PBDE, known to cause numerous disorders in rodents, is found in his blood.
The writer wants to know the source of the contaminants in his blood. He speaks to Ake Bergman, a doctor, and together they identify the interior furnishing of airliners as the possible source of the chemicals in his body. The writer continues to describe the nature of the chemicals found in his body.
Most of the chemicals are usually found in small doses that are harmless to a human being. Despite these facts, the number of ailments related to toxic contaminants is increasing with time. Very small amounts of some chemicals have a negative effect on the development of an individual.
Despite the increasing number of new chemicals being used in industry every year, only a few thousand of them were tested for harmful effects in the United States. The writer recalls one dump he often visited as a child, and describes how it could have played a role in contaminating his blood with the foreign substances. Some chemicals found in his body date back to when he was a child playing at the dumpsite.
The dumpsite has since been cleared and a cleaner environment restored. The writer recounts the pollution of the Hudson River with PCBs and the inevitable consequences the communities living nearby suffered. He then explores the effect of modern pollutants such as bisphenol A, which is found in many modern synthetic materials. Many of the chemicals that the writer considers dangerous are not proven to be dangerous to human beings, but are known to adversely affect other living things.
The ability of mercury to move through food chains after reacting with an organic compound is explained. However, the writer notes that the levels of mercury in his blood were insignificant. Mercury is normally present in fish products from contaminated areas. The writer goes to the extent of investigating the sources of mercury by engaging in a risky behavior while being routinely tested.
Although some chemicals pose a significant degree of danger to human life, it is not possible to ban their use. Their use is absolutely necessary since failure to incorporate them in some manufacturing processes poses higher risk to human life than trivial contamination of blood.
If substances such as those used to reduce flammability of fabric are not used in some manufacturing processes, more lives could be put in the direct danger presented by events such as accidental infernos. The only solution to the problem is to ensure that the chemicals that people are deliberately exposed to have more benefits than negative effects.
The writer’s results show that there are many other foreign substances in his blood. However, the doctor does not know whether they have any adverse effect on his health. Finally, the doctor advises that he should not worry since he did not show any signs of ill health.