This test is an effective way to measure exposure to several common environmental pollutants and determine their potential effects on the body. Once toxin exposure is identified, the body can be supported with nutritional factors to promote the excretion of the chemicals.

Who needs to be tested for environmental exposures?

Pollution, the presence of toxic chemicals and metals in the surrounding environment, is now found all over the globe. Some of us are more exposed to pollutants than others, due to work in industries that use chemicals or toxic metals. ALL of us are exposed to chemicals used as food additives, cleansers, fragrances, plastics, etc. These daily “background” exposures may affect us throughout our entire lives and accumulate over time.

Toxic exposures affect our bodies several different ways. The exposure may alter our DNA, change the function of the body’s biochemical pathways and enzymes, or increase the amount of oxidative stress in the body, leading to accelerated aging.

• The World Health Organization estimates that up to one-quarter of global disease burden in adults, and one-third of the global disease burden in children is due to environmental factors such as pollution.
• Even in Antarctica, microplastics and industrial chemicals are found in the snow where humans have never lived.

Individuals who have inherited low-activity forms of detoxification enzymes, those with poor nutrition or poor nutrient absorption due to gastrointestinal issues, or those suffering from existing chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions may especially benefit from testing. It may be especially important for these people to monitor and reduce their everyday toxic exposures to the chemicals screened in the Environmental Pollutants Profile.

8 common environmental pollutants are screened for with this test. To assess exposure to these chemicals, 14 key excreted metabolites are measured as follow:

These toxins are best detected in urine, being their primary route of elimination. Exposure to other toxins, such as most toxic metals (e.g. mercury, lead & arsenic) are best detected via stool analysis via the Toxic Metals Fecal Test (LC100076) available separately.

Common sources of exposure to these common pollutants are listed below:

Xylene – an additive in gasoline and used to produce solvents, fragrances, coatings and paints
Toluene – an additive used in nylon and plastics that is also found in gasoline, coatings, paints, synthetic fragrance, adhesives, inks, cleaners
Benzene – common in chemical production – pesticides, wildfire smoke, cigarette smoke, exhaust, contaminated ground water, synthetic fibers, dyes, plastics, and paint thinners.
Trimethylbenzene – a petroleum-based additive that may be found in gasoline, paints, cleaners; may be found in contaminated groundwater
Styrene – an additive used in plastics, fiberglass, rubber and latex found in insulation, packing materials, printer ink and toner cartridges and household objects; car exhaust and cigarette smoke
Phthalates – plastic additive used in vinyl flooring, raincoats, nail polish and body-care products
Parabens – preservatives used in cosmetics, body products, foods and medications
Methyl Tert-butyl Ether (MTBE) – gasoline additive inhaled from gasoline or car exhaust fumes

Sample Report

The following document provides a full set of instructions for completing the test:

Collection Instructions

Notes

The following food preservatives should be avoided for 48 hours prior to collection for best results; however, this test can still be done if this is not possible:

• Benzoic Acid / Benzoate (E210-213)
• Sorbic Acid / Sorbate (E200-203)

Fasting is not required.

This test is packaged as a kit and requires collection of a dried urine sample which is sent directly to the lab (US BioTek) by the customer. Results take 1-2 weeks from the time the lab receives the sample. This test is not available in Pennsylvania or New York. Results for this test are not available online. This test is not available for children under 2 years of age.