Article
published online December 2006.
Page 1, 2, 3, References Background
On September 11, 2001, the attack and collapse of the gigantic World
Trade Center towers caused an enormous release of toxic substances
into a densely populated urban environment. These included asbestos,
radionuclides, benzene, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs),
fiberglass, mercury, lead, silicon, sulfuric acid29 – agents
associated with cancer as well as severe lung pathology, neurological
and cardiovascular disease, and a myriad of immune dysfunctions.
Emergency workers were exposed to unprecedented levels of these chemicals
and breakdown products during the ensuing eight and one-half month
rescue and cleanup effort. Daily exposures continued as firefighters,
paramedics, police, clean-up crews, and other personnel continued their
efforts, working long hours for over eight months after the attack.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was not always available or was
generally ineffective in preventing the rescue workers from absorbing
contaminants by inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure.8
There is no doubt that the tens of thousands of men and women who participated
in the rescue and recovery operations were exposed to a wide range of toxins,
many of which are known to accumulate in body tissues, with half-lives measured
in years or decades.12,28 Exposure symptoms have not abated with time; instead,
a substantial number of those exposed are experiencing worsening health status
involving multiple organ systems. Studies demonstrate a definite link between
exposures to WTC-derived airborne pollutants and respiratory disease.2
The acute complaints of emergency responders were often pulmonary.14,19,38 However,
other debilitating health consequences exist. The depression, anger, and low
motivation commonly reported among this population and assigned to Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder are more likely indicative of toxic encephalopathy.16 Other major
concerns include persistent pulmonary and digestive tract inflammatory syndromes,
such as reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), reactive upper airways
dysfunction syndrome (RUDS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory
pulmonary parenchymal syndromes, as well as respiratory tract and nonrespiratory
malignancies.5,10,47
Sauna Detoxification
The method of detoxification developed by Mr. Hubbard is a precise protocol,
documented for mobilizing fat-stored toxins and enhancing their elimination while
restoring metabolic balance. The protocol has long been established as safe.45
Previous case reports,39,51 as well as a number of non-randomized, controlled
studies of exposed workers (including firefighters),21 demonstrate that detoxification
reduces body burdens of PCBs, PBBs, dioxins, various drugs, and pesticides44,46
with concurrent symptomatic improvement.44,20,22
Publications over the past two decades also show that this regimen can improve
memory, cognitive functions, immune parameters, and general physical condition
in different study populations.44,46
The detoxification protocol is standardized17 and includes the following:
- A daily regimen of
physical exercise, immediately followed by forced sweating in a
sauna at 140-180°F for two-and-a-half to five hours with short
breaks for
hydration to offset the loss of body fluids and cooling.
- Nutritional
supplementation centered on gradually increasing doses of crystalline
niacin (nicotinic acid) to promote lipid mobilization of
stored toxicants and
stimulate circulation.
- Administration of
additional vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, and oils includes
vitamins A, D, C, E, B complex,
B1; multi-minerals including
calcium, magnesium,
iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and iodine; sodium and potassium;
and a blend of polyunsaturated oils including soy, walnut, peanut,
and safflower.
Each
of these program components have biologic roles that support healing. The integrity
of physiological systems – including those associated
with detoxification, cellular repair, immune processes, and neural and endocrine
function – depends
upon nutritional and vitamin status. Of note are niacin and the use of oils
as a source of essential fatty acids. The inclusion of a balanced complement
of
additional nutrients is aimed at maintaining supplies adequate for increased
demand.
Niacin can shift the adipose-blood equilibrium of toxin concentrations
by stimulating release of fatty acids from tissues into the blood.31,43,52
Mobilizing free fatty
acids has been shown to mobilize fat stored pesticides11 and PCBs.7 Niacin
raises high density cholesterol (HDL-C) more effectively than either of
the common pharmacologic
interventions, statin or fibrate therapy, and has been proven to reduce
cardiovascular events in monotherapy studies.4
Niacin coenzymes are necessary for more than 500 enzymatic reactions, particularly
in the form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD).36 Niacin coenzymes
are required for biotransformation of foreign compounds as a step in eliminating
those compounds from the body.24 They also regulate liver detoxification
pathways
so that the activated radicals of phase I detoxification are rapidly conjugated
with glutathione or other compounds during phase II.48 Further, marginal
deficiencies in folate, vitamin B12, niacin, and zinc increase the rate
of spontaneous chromosome
damage.9 Niacin coenzymes regulate DNA strand break repair.30,54
Inclusion of polyunsaturated oils enhances detoxification and also replaces
the essential fatty acids mobilized from stores. The walnut and soy oils
used in
this regimen contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids; the safflower,
soy and peanut oils are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated oils
can line the
intestine and prevent re-uptake of toxins that have been eliminated through
large intestine pathways.40 Oils may also have a direct effect on toxin
elimination.33,41,42
This rehabilitative therapy is provided on a daily basis, seven days a
week, and averages 33 days for completion. (The range was 23-106 days.)
Body weight,
pulse, and blood pressure are monitored before and after each daily session
with body weight kept constant throughout. Physicians monitor individual
client programs.
Rehabilitating Rescue Workers
Recognizing that they had had an unprecedented exposure, a group of firefighters
and union officials felt that a program should be available to rescue workers
that specifically addressed body accumulations of toxins. They contacted
the Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education (FASE) for assistance
in
making the detoxification regimen available to exposed personnel.
An independent facility funded by private donations was set up in September
2002 in lower Manhattan, providing this therapy without charge. To date,
more than
500 have completed the program in Manhattan and at a second facility established
on Long Island. The great majority have been uniformed rescue workers—firefighters,
paramedics, sanitation workers, and police. A small number of individuals
who lived or worked in the WTC or near the site have also completed the
program.
The primary goal of this project is to restore quality of life and job
fitness to those exposed to toxic materials at the WTC site. The focus
to date has been
to identify individuals who are not responding, or not recovering fully,
after receiving medical treatments being offered to WTC exposure victims.
Outcome Measures
Individuals are referred to the project because of persistent symptoms
following exposure to WTC toxins. The project's rehabilitative goal emphasizes
restored quality of life ("wellness"). Additionally, the project includes
ongoing tests to identify the full range of health effects associated with
the WTC exposures and evaluating the efficacy of detoxification in resolving
specific
effects. A complete set of tests are given before and after detoxification.
To evaluate the effectiveness of this rehabilitative therapy, participants
are given a structured medical examination. Participants also complete
a comprehensive
Health History and Symptom Survey developed specifically for this project.
This survey gathers basic demographic information; employment history and
relevant
work exposure questions; recent symptomatology focusing on the cluster
of symptoms common to environmental exposures; and the number of lost workdays.
Clients also
undergo intelligence quotient (IQ) testing, as well as a panel of standard
laboratory tests including CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, thyroid
panel, lipid panel,
ECG, and urinalysis.
Page 1, 2, 3, References
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