Provided by:
MCS” Beacon of Hope
Contact info listed below

If you or someone in your family has unexplained health symptoms, the root of the problem could be right under your nose. People of all ages including our unborn children are being exposed to “unnecessary and avoidable” toxic exposures. Far too many (conservatively estimated at over 40 million in the United States, alone) develop Toxic Injury, illnesses, and disabilities.  Toxic injury (T.I.) is not only life changing but is often life threatening. Toxic Injury can be caused by short-term or chronic exposure to one or more chemicals, frequently pesticides, and solvents, air pollution, petrochemicals, mold and other toxins found in homes, schools, workplaces, our everyday products and environment. Toxic Injury knows “NO” boundaries.  “EVERYONE” is at Risk. It is an equal opportunity disability!

Do you experience a headache or become confused when in traffic, or in the detergent isle in the grocery store, do you have adverse reactions to odors/fumes from softener sheets/products from your neighbor’s dryer vent or from someone’s perfume or shampoo? Would you inhale, absorb or ingest acetone, 1,3-butadiene, benzenes, butylated hydroxy-toluene (BHT), dioxins, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, PVC’s, phenols, vinyl chloride, xylene or other such toxins. . . NO? Think again. These and similar toxic chemicals are in every day consumer products! As consumers we have turned a blind eye and accepted everything offered as safe for our use without any proof of product safety or toxicity. Toxic Injury came like a thief in the night and has become the fastest growing segment of the Disabled population. It includes all persons harmed and disabled by consumer product and/or environmental toxins. Toxic related illnesses are devastating people, the health care system, and the economy. Those with toxic injuries/disabilities become functionally impaired. Their ability to act, speak, write, perceive or carry out a simple task can be adversely affected. The toxins we all are exposed to interfere with learning in schools and on the job by impairing brain function. They create unnecessary absenteeism and disability with otherwise productive citizens and workers. This is a tragedy for them as well as the economy.

Only a very small percentage of the components of consumer products are ever tested for safety before being released for public use.  The result is toxic substances in our personal care products, household cleaners, our furniture, building materials, food, and pharmaceuticals. Many contain ingredients that are listed on the EPA, RCRA and CERCIA Hazardous waste lists. Many pesticides and industrial cleaners are routinely used around our children, in schools, around our ill and most vulnerable loved ones in hospitals and other medical and housing facilities. These chemicals are known to be toxic, carcinogenic, neuro and developmentally degenerative and mutagenic, yet they are still in use. We must become vigilant researchers. We must find out what is in the products before we bring them into our homes, or allow them in our airspace. It is important to become aware so we can make informed decisions. SAFER ALTERNATIVES, choices, products and practices are readily available, affordable, and effective . . .  Please take the time to check them out!

You might already know a friend or loved one suffering from some form of toxic injury: pesticide poisoning, Gulf War Syndrome, sick building syndrome, chemical hypersensitivity, mold induced illness, cancer, diabetes, neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, ADD, ADHD, autism, and Parkinson’s.  Medical conditions caused and aggravated by toxic exposures include toxic encephalopathy, migraine, asthma, sinusitis, otitis, emphysema, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, liver, kidney, and coronary problems, attention deficit, hyperactivity, autism, fibromyalgia, and many more diseases involving inflammation. Once damaged, our bodies adversely react to more substances at much lower levels. Some of the symptoms include but are not limited to extreme fatigue, non-ending flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, impaired balance, seizures, tremors, loss of muscle control, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate, difficulty retrieving words, trouble with multitasking, rashes and the list goes on.
 
Just as physical barriers prevent wheelchair access, invisible barriers (toxic chemicals, pesticides, scented products and mold) deny us necessary access to public facilities like hospitals, medical and dental care facilities, emergency, assisted and residential housing which are necessary for survival. Those suffering with Toxic Injury deserve the same rights, acknowledgment, respect, support and help allotted to other illnesses and disabilities.

Our hope is that the misdiagnoses, mistreatment and discrimination against patients with these illnesses will cease with increased awareness and education. Please, make safer choices.

We need to change our ideas and practices to protect all of our citizens, children (our future leaders), pets, livestock, agriculture, industry and our environment. No one can afford to continue using consumer product or environmental toxins. The price tag is too high, and the bill is coming due.

We applaud each of the Governors who have signed T.I. Proclamations, this year or in the past. Simply by teaching and practicing good stewardship, by making safer choices, manufacturing and using safer products, these preventable and devastating illnesses can easily be prevented from happening in the first place. Yes, it is that simple!

Don’t let this happen to Your Child or Loved One . . .
 Get Involved … Become Aware … Make Safer Choices!

For more information, please visit our website via: toxicinjury.org OR toxicinjury.net

Sincerely, your friends in Hope & Health,
Peggy, Julia, Jennifer and John

Peggy Troiano, Founder and Program Manager:
E-mail: mcsbeaconofhope@yahoo.com Ph. 727-239-7884

Julia Williams, Executive Director:
E-mail: juliamcs2004@yahoo.com Ph. 727-530-0169

Jennifer McKinnis, Accommodations Advocate & Oregon State Rep.
E-mail: mckinnis@oregontrail.net Ph. 541-567-2017

John McBride, New Jersey State Representative & Toxic Mold Activist/Consultant
E-mail: moldleg333@live.com Ph. 732-894-3047