Physician Reveals Hidden Health Dangers Volunteers Face
SAN ANTONIO, June 11, 2010 — With more oil from the BP spill in the Gulf washing ashore, regional communities will have a huge job of cleaning up after this vast environmental disaster. As kind-hearted volunteers participate in the effort to save both wildlife and the local environment, they will be putting themselves at risk of long-term health effects.
As a physician and researcher, Dr. Claudia Miller is an expert on Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT). Her research shows that repeated and extended exposure to these petrochemicals can cause new intolerances that didn't exist in people prior to exposure. These can appear as "allergies" to cleaning products, exhaust, fragrances, medicines, and even food. Physicians can have difficulty tracing the origins of these new symptoms and intolerances because they often seem to be unrelated to the original cause and can begin as flu-like symptoms that won't go away.
Invite Dr. Miller to answer:
- Why can continued exposure to multiple petroleum chemicals cause TILT?
- How is TILT connected to headaches, mood changes such as depression and irritability, sleep problems, fatigue, asthma, and autoimmune disorders?
- Are pregnant women at greater risk and how can they protect themselves?
- What are the common symptoms that might indicate TILT?
- Could the chemicals used in the cleanup effort be as harmful as the oil?
- How can people determine whether they are at risk and protect themselves?
CREDENTIALS: Dr. Claudia Miller is Assistant Dean and Professor at the University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio. A physician trained in allergy/immunology and environmental health, Dr. Miller has extensive experience in workplace, home and community investigations, and helping individuals understand hard-to-treat chronic illnesses. Her research on the health effects of chemical exposures won the World Health Organization's prestigious Macedo Award. She is the co-author of the professionally acclaimed book, CHEMICAL EXPOSURES: Low Levels and High Stakes, which reveals groundbreaking research on the potential causes behind common chronic diseases and environmental exposures. Dr. Miller has been interviewed by The New York Times several times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, National Public Radio, Gannett, The Guardian, Associated Press, Washington Times, Chemical and Engineering News, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, The Mission, and Texas Monthly.
AVAILABILITY: Texas, nationwide by arrangement, and via telephone
CONTACT: Dr. Claudia Miller, (210) 567-7407 (TX); Email; http://www.chemicalexposures.org
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