Theron Randolph

For decades I–and a bunch of clever and astute physicians, headed by Theron Randolph MD of Chicago–were proclaiming that chemicals in our environment were making people sick. I floated the term “human canaries” to describe those who were showing us that it wasn’t safe for us and I’m pleased the say the term has stuck. This was not just a case of extreme chemical sensitivity. Chemicals seemed to disturb the immune balance and led to allergies. The poisoning of detox pathways in the liver and mitochondria meant that the effect of these xenobiotic chemicals was made worse over time. Some luckless individuals couldn’t cope and went down, savagely sick with almost everything they breathed or came into contact with and the press howled slogans like “allergic to the 20th century!” (we used the term universal reactors). I’m pleased to say that, with one notable exception, the press and TV went with my stories. They were concerend, even sympathetic. But my colleagies and I were blasted by the blow-hard dinosaurs in the profession, which considered it madness that there could be any health problems from general food allergy, never mind environmental chemicals. One particularly vicious gang was what is now called the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI); they attacked anything and everything that was a threat to their income stream, with lies, abuse, fake science and even criminal invasions.

For decades I–and a bunch of clever and astute physicians, headed by Theron Randolph MD of Chicago–were proclaiming that chemicals in our environment were making people sick. I floated the term “human canaries” to describe those who were showing us that it wasn’t safe for us and I’m pleased the say the term has stuck. This was not just a case of extreme chemical sensitivity. Chemicals seemed to disturb the immune balance and led to allergies. The poisoning of detox pathways in the liver and mitochondria meant that the effect of these xenobiotic chemicals was made worse over time. Some luckless individuals couldn’t cope and went down, savagely sick with almost everything they breathed or came into contact with and the press howled slogans like “allergic to the 20th century!” (we used the term universal reactors). I’m pleased to say that, with one notable exception, the press and TV went with my stories. They were concerend, even sympathetic. But my colleagies and I were blasted by the blow-hard dinosaurs in the profession, which considered it madness that there could be any health problems from general food allergy, never mind environmental chemicals. One particularly vicious gang was what is now called the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI); they attacked anything and everything that was a threat to their income stream, with lies, abuse, fake science and even criminal invasions.

Let me back up a bit. I browse a lot of books in thrift stores (Oxfam shops for you Brits!) I get to find wonderful, old, often out-of-print books that I otherwise wouldn’t hear of. Bonus? They cost $1 or $2 at most! I found one only this morning, called “The Dictionary of Misconceptions”. Author Tom Burnam does a good job of dispelling myths and misconceptions. Like for example, that the deepest canyon in the world is NOT the Grand Canyon. It’s a myth that Americans love to believe. But the Copper Canyon in Mexico, is bigger, deeper and longer! Shhhh! Anyway, Burnam points out that, even in the USA, Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon, is half a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon. Another tourist B*S* myth bites the dust! No, I’m not doing geography today. There is a point…. Which is the Burnam, for all his good work, then messes up badly by stating, categorically: “It is absolutely untrue that different drinks which contain identical amounts of absolute alcohol can have different intoxicating qualities”. 

Let me back up a bit. I browse a lot of books in thrift stores (Oxfam shops for you Brits!) I get to find wonderful, old, often out-of-print books that I otherwise wouldn’t hear of. Bonus? They cost $1 or $2 at most! I found one only this morning, called “The Dictionary of Misconceptions”. Author Tom Burnam does a good job of dispelling myths and misconceptions. Like for example, that the deepest canyon in the world is NOT the Grand Canyon. It’s a myth that Americans love to believe. But the Copper Canyon in Mexico, is bigger, deeper and longer! Shhhh! Anyway, Burnam points out that, even in the USA, Hell’s Canyon on the Snake River between Idaho and Oregon, is half a mile deeper than the Grand Canyon. Another tourist B*S* myth bites the dust! No, I’m not doing geography today. There is a point…. Which is the Burnam, for all his good work, then messes up badly by stating, categorically: “It is absolutely untrue that different drinks which contain identical amounts of absolute alcohol can have different intoxicating qualities”.