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🧪Why Science Is Important – One Example:  Childhood Exposure To Lead Toxins May Result In Dementia In Adulthood🧪

“Should childhood lead exposure prove pro-degenerative, the next twenty years will provide the last opportunities for possible early intervention to forestall greater degenerative disease burden across the aging lead-exposed population” (Reuben, 2018).

WHAT ARE LEAD TOXINS AND HOW CAN EXPOSURE RESULT IN DEMENTIA? – 

Lee, Lee, Warren, and Ferrie (2022) defined lead as a neurotoxicant that can harm the growing brains of children, and that harm can be irreversible!  “No amount of lead is considered safe for human consumption” (Lee, Lee, Warren, & Ferrie, 2022).

According to Cleveland Clinic (2024), “Neurotoxicity is an umbrella term for neurological damage that happens due to exposure to natural or manufactured toxins.”  Also, “There are hundreds of neurotoxicants. They can come in gas, liquid and/or solid form. For some neurotoxicants, trace amounts of them or a single exposure can cause symptoms. For others, only large amounts and/or repeated exposure cause noticeable symptoms” (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).

Further, “…lead-exposed children were significantly associated with reduced gray matter volume in areas responsible for memory function and dementia at age 45 (8) and lower language/executive function at age 64 (9)” (Lee, Lee, Warren, & Ferrie, 2022).

LEAD TOXIN EXPOSURE IS NOT NEW – THE AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The American Industrial Revolution, or as some scholars refer to it, “The American Industrial Evolution”, was exciting because the country was going from a mostly rural and agricultural country to windmills, manufacturing, steamboats, textiles, railroads, machinery, steel mills, industrial factories, electrical power, telephones, women and children working, and the Ford Model-T, to name a few inventions and innovations (Paradowski, 2021).  This modernization of America occurred during the late 18th century through the mid-19th century (Phase I), and then picked up from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century (Phase II) (Paradowski, 2021).  The reader can gather more information from  Niiler (2025) “How The Second Industrial Revolution Changed Americans’ Lives.”)  

The American transformation also brought along health and safety issues (Beck, 2026).

One particular issue was air pollution, which these new factories produced, releasing chemicals and grime into the atmosphere (Beck, 2026).  The coal mines offered a double whammy!  Coal mine workers (adult and child labor) were exposed to lead dust in the mines (inhalation).  People living near the mines were exposed because those particles were emitted into the air (Beck, 2026).

The homes built for workers were made of poor-quality materials, and it’s anyone’s guess what hazardous chemicals and materials were used during this era (Beck, 2026).  As an aside, construction workers who built the homes were also exposed to those chemicals and dust particles before the residents moved in.

HOW THE LEAD TOXINS ARE INTRODUCED TO CHILDREN – 

Rabin (2011) stated that, “It is well known that the major source of such poisonings is the lead paint applied to homes 40, 50, and 100 years ago.  And because as many as 25 – 30 million dwellings in the United States are estimated to have lead paint, it is not a problem that will be easily remedied(1).”

This paint could be found in “…homes on woodwork, baby cribs, and other furniture” (Rabin, 2011), and “window sills, porch railings” (Rabin, 2011).

McFarland, Hauer, and Reuben (2022) reported that lead is also found in gasoline and water pipes.  

Air, dust, and food are other sources of lead (Wang, Bakulski, Walker, Mukherjee, Dodge, Albin, Paulson, & Park, 2026).

“Lead is a developmental neurotoxicant in wide industrial use that was once broadly distributed in the environment (McFarland, Hauer, & Reuben, 2022).

According to McFarland, Hauer, and Reuben (2022):

“During the peak era of leaded gasoline in the United States, which ran from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, the average blood–lead level (BLL) for the general US population was routinely three to five times higher than the current reference value for clinical concern and case management referral (3.5 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood) (3–5). Consequently, millions of adults alive today were exposed to high levels of lead as children. While these exposures were deemed harmless at the time, animal studies and epidemiological evidence accrued in the intervening years reveal that such exposures likely disrupted healthy development across multiple organ systems (particularly the brain, bone, and cardiovascular systems), resulting in subtle deficits to important outcomes, such as cognitive ability, fine motor skills, and emotional regulation (6), that may influence the trajectory of a person’s life (e.g., their educational attainment, health, wealth, and happiness). These deficits largely persist across time and, in some cases, worsen (7, 8) and are now hypothesized to put individuals at risk for difficult-to-treat chronic and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease and dementia (9–11).”

THERE WAS A LACK OF ACCURACY IN THE SCIENTIFIC TESTING INSTRUMENTS –

While childhood lead poisoning became an American health concern in the 1960’s – 1970’s, there were parents in the early part of the 20th century (1920’s – 1930’s) bringing their infants and small children to hospitals with symptoms associated with lead poisoning (Rabin, 2011).  During that era, doctors didn’t understand what medical conditions were being presented to them until there was an increase of those incidents and familiarity with symptoms (Rabin, 2011).  Colic, spasms, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, motor coordination, and convulsions are some of the symptoms associated with childhood exposure to lead (Rabin, 2011).

Blood lead tests are one method used to diagnose whether a child has lead poisoning (neurotoxin) (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).  Unfortunately, however, blood lead tests were not available until after 1940 (Rabin, 2011).  Bone X-rays were used in 1930 to determine lead absorption (Rabin, 2011).  

To gain a better understanding of how bone X-rays were beneficial in determining lead exposure, Wang, Bakulski, Walker, Mukherjee, Dodge, Albin, Paulson, and Park (2026) explained that, “Bone is the principal long-term reservoir for lead.  The greatest lead accumulation occurs during periods of high mineral deposition and can persist for decades.  Lead is then remobilized with age-related bone resorption, creating ongoing internal exposure despite contemporary declines in environmental lead.  Thus, bone lead levels serve as a marker of cumulative exposure, including exposures during earlier life.”

WHEN THOSE TOXINS ARE LOCAL –

We have been dealing with the issue of lead in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio it seems like forever!  The health issues that result from the toxin are tragic because children are mainly affected.

Case Western Reserve University (2026) reported that “Cleveland has one of the highest percentage of children with elevated lead levels in the United States.”  In fact, “Cleveland has higher lead levels than Flint, Michigan, whose own lead problems sparked national coverage and outrage.”

In the Cleveland area, “…some neighborhoods seeing rates as high as 25 percent” (Case Western Reserve University, 2026).

One of the culprits of lead exposure is that approximately “90 percent of Cleveland’s housing supply was built before 1978, when lead paint was banned in consumer applications.”  Sadly, the potential exists that lead toxins remain in some of these dwellings, wreaking havoc on residents’ health, perhaps unbeknownst to them.

Hack (2026) talked about the endless opportunities through local government to remove these toxins in Cleveland, in Cuyahoga County suburbs, the programs available such as lead safe home repair grants, what residents can do to get their homes tested, and further  information in establishing cleaner communities and healthier children.

Neurotoxicity is an important term that Cleveland Clinic (2024) discussed because exposure to lead toxins can cause this neurological medical condition affecting the central nervous system.  An individual’s particular condition might be treatable or long-term.  Death can also occur.

“Neurotoxicity may result from exposure to excess amounts of normally nontoxic substances, like certain medications.  Or it can result from substances that are neurotoxic at all doses, like lead” (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).

Neurotoxins are airborne particles breathed into the body and ingested through foods and drinks.  Neurotoxins can be found in dust particles.

It doesn’t matter where we are or go.  Even in the cleanest environments, dust particles can land on our clothes, in our food, in our drinks and then enter our system.  Dust is airborne and travels.  It’s everywhere!

Cleveland Clinic (2024) emphasized the myriad of health conditions and symptoms that can occur when exposed to these airborne substances.  “Exposure to certain neurotoxicants during fetal development and early childhood has been associated with several conditions.”  And this is where things become increasingly interesting:   If there is a possibility that lead toxin exposure in childhood is associated with dementia in adulthood, those same children may experience the following conditions before dementia sets in:

Cleveland Clinic (2024):

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD);
  • Learning disabilities;
  • Depression;
  • Anxiety;
  • Schizophrenia, and
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

As an aside, the discussion of the origins of autism have been particularly controversial over several years.  Could neurotoxins (i.e., lead) be a contributor to this medical condition in children?  Were these children poisoned innocently with lead toxins during their fetal development?  

It’s something to consider.

Vikki

References

Beck, E.  (2026).  Negative Impacts Of The Industrial Revolution:  A Detailed Summary.  Retrieved From https://historycrunch.com/negative-impacts-of-the-industrial-revolution/

Case Western Reserve University.  (2026).  Frances Payne Bolton School Of Nursing.  The Lead Paint Epidemic.  Retrieved From https://case.edu/nursing/research/research-studies-labs/cleveland-schools-lead-screening-project/lead-paint-epidemic

Cleveland Clinic.  (2024). Neurotoxicity.  Retrieved From https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/neurotoxicity

Hack, C.  (2026).  More Recent News.  Cuyahoga County Fails To Fully Spend State Lead Grant, Forfeiting Nearly $1.2 Million.  Retrieved From https://signalcleveland.org/cuyahoga-county-forfeits-nearly-1-2-million-in-lead-paint-grant/

Lee, H., Lee, M. W., Warren, J. R., & Ferrie, J.  (2022).  Childhood Lead Exposure Is Associated With Lower Cognitve Function At Older Ages.  Retrieved From https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abn5164?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2F

McFarland, M. J., Hauer, M. E., & Reuben, A.  (2022). Half Of U.S. Population Exposed To Adverse Lead Levels In Early Childhood.  Retrieved From https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8931364/ 

Niiler, E.  (2025).  How The Second Industrial Revolution Changed Americans’ Lives.  The Rapid Advancement Of Mass Production And Transportation Made Life A Lot Faster.  Retrieved From https://www.history.com/articles/second-industrial-revolution-advances

Paradowski, R. J., PhD., (2021).  American Industrial Revolution.  Retrieved from https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/american-industrial-revolution

Rabin, R., MSPH.  (2011).  Warnings Unheeded:  A History Of Child Lead Poisoning. American Journal Of Public Health. Vol. 79(12):1668–1674. doi: 10.2105/ajph.79.12.1668

Reuben, A.  (2018).  Childhood Lead Exposure And Adult Neurodegenerative Disease.  Retrieved From https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6454899/

Wang, X., Bakulski, K. M., Walker, E., Mukherjee, B., Dodge, H., Albin, R. L., Paulson, H. L., & Park, S. K.  (2026).  Exposure To Lead And Incidence Of Alzheimer’s Disease And All-Cause Dementia In The United States.  Retrieved From https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.71075

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SEPTEMBER 11TH: REMEMBRANCE

(Image:  David Finn via Library Of Congress)

Vikki

Reference

Finn, D., photographer. (2001) Memorial for the victims of the September 11th terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York City; with candles, flowers, mementos, and photo of the twin towers. New York, 2001. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2002717255/.

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🩺 Daily Soft Drink Beverage Consumption And The Health Risks They Bring 🩺

The following literature indicates that when a person consumes soft drinks a couple of times a month, or on special occasions, there is less risk for that individual experiencing dire health issues.  However, when soft drink beverages are part of a person’s daily diet, those health risks increase exponentially!

When the brain is high on soft drink beverages:

The American Psychological Association (2023) defined major depressive disorder as “A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and other symptoms of a major depressive episode but without accompanying episodes of mania or hypomania or mixed episodes of depressive and manic or hypomanic symptoms, included in DSM-IV-TR, DSM-5, and DSM-5-TR.  Also called major depression.”

Thanarajah, Ribeiro, and Lee et al (2025) reported that when a person is diagnosed with major depressive disorder, there is a strong likelihood that the person is a heavy consumer of soft drink beverages.  There is a strong possibility that there are changes in the gut microbiome when someone overloads on soft drink beverages, resulting in this mental health disorder.

Urugo, Kidane, Firew, Hunde, Endere, Semu, Getachew and Yirga (2026) mentioned the potential for depression in women and unhealthy attitudes in the adolescent population when these groups engage in consuming an overabundance of soft drink beverages.

There is also the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses from consuming soft drink beverages on a daily basis (Leech, 2026).  “…the higher your blood sugar, the higher your risk of dementia” (Leech, 2026).

Fitch (2023) reported that it’s important that children and adolescents reduce their consumption of these beverages since it increases their odds of experiencing weight gain and becoming obese.  The findings are based on a study that included information from 107 “countries and regions” that participated in the study.  The study included a comparison analysis of these groups who were overweight and obese and found that the groups that consumed at least one soft drink every day were the ones that experienced the most weight gain (Fitch, 2023).

“High sugar intake is associated with weight gain” (Leech, 2026).  

It really is a domino effect:  “In particular, fructose is linked to a significant increase in the dangerous fat around your belly and organs.  This is known as visceral fat or belly fat.  Excessive belly fat is tied to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease” (Leech, 2026).

As an aside, instead of these young people looking forward to having the time of their lives with everything positive waiting for them, medical appointments for diabetes and other health issues can become part of their monthly schedules.

Drinking these beverages on a routine basis can harm the body in ways we may not have thought of.

“Even just one sugary drink a day, after five to seven years, can lead to fatty liver disease, making you susceptible to heart disease and diabetes while also increasing your risk for cancer of the colon, pancreas and esophagus, to name a few” (Li, 2026).  

Li (2026) also indicated that regular soft drink consumption is as bad as consuming alcohol!  After the soft drink enters the liver, “sugar in beverages can get converted into fat that’s stored in liver cells.  Over time, that can lead to fatty liver disease, which can, if it doesn’t improve, cause severe scarring in the liver, also known as cirrhosis.  And that can be potentially life-threatening.”

Urugo, Kidane, Firew, Hunde, Endere, Semu, Getachew, and Yirga (2026) talked about other health issues that can result from daily soft drink consumption, such as “hypertension, reduced bone mineral density, and cardiovascular disease.”

Everyone by now has heard about cancer diagnoses among people under 50 years of age.  There could be a possible explanation for women being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Women who are under 50 years of age and are diagnosed with colorectal cancer may have been enthusiastic consumers of soft drink beverages when they were between 13 and 18 years of age and continued consuming these beverages in their adulthood (Washington State University Of Medicine, 2021).  

Washington State University Of Medicine (2021) further stated that, “Compared with women who drank less than one 8-ounce serving per week of sugar-sweetened beverages, those who drank two or more servings per day had just over twice the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer, meaning it was diagnosed before age 50.”

Vikki

References

American Psychological Association. (2023).  APA Dictionary Of Psychology.  Major Depressive Disorder. Retrieved From  https://dictionary.apa.org/major-depressive-disorder

Fitch, J.  (2023).  (Sr. ED.)  Daily Soft Drink Consumption Associated With Obesity, Overweight Children Prevalence.  Retrieved From https://www.contemporarypediatrics.com/view/daily-soft-drink-consumption-associated-with-obesity-overweight-children-prevalence

Leech, J., MS.  (2026).  13 Ways That Sugary Soda Is Bad For Your Health.  Retrieved From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-sugary-soda-is-bad-for-you

Li, N., MD, PhD.  (2026).  Does Soda Damage Your Liver?  Retrieved From https://health.osu.edu/wellness/prevention/your-liver-and-sugary-drinks

Thanarajah, S. E., MD (1,2,3,4), Ribeiro, A. H., PhD(5), Lee, J. (1,4), & et. al.  (2025).  Soft Drink Consumption And Depression Mediated By Gut Microbiome Alterations.  Retrieved From https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2839019

Urugo, M. M., Kidane, B., Firew, S., Hunde, W., Endere, S. D., Semu, A., Getachew, S, & Yirga, Y.  (2026).  Comprehensive Review Of Carbonated Soft Drink Consumption Rates And Their Public Health Importance.  Retrieved From https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-025-26141-2

Washington University School Of Medicine.  “Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Linked To Increased Risk Of Colorectal Cancer In Women Under 50, Study Finds.”  ScienceDaily.  Retrieved August 16, 2026 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210506183353.htm

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🇺🇲In Anticipation Of September 11, 2001 – An Important Documentary🇺🇲

“15 Septembers Later” is a must-see documentary on Amazon Prime!  The interviews with First Responders, regular people going about their day on that Tuesday, legendary journalists, members of the performing arts, members of the intelligence agencies, business people, and politicians reveal what their experiences were like.  

The documentary is not some ghoulish reminder of 911, but of conversations that answer some of the questions we may have had at the time.  There is Mayor Giuliani, the calming force who became an example of how to behave during what became one of the worst crisis management situations imaginable!

As the viewer watches the film, they should reflect on how their priorities may have changed since September 11, 2001, because life really did change in the blink of an eye for this country, and the globe at large.

Vikki

Reference

Sklaver, J. (Director). (2016).  15 Septembers Later.  [Film].  Prime Video.  amazon.com

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💐 The 2026 Summer Giving Campaign 💐

(Image:  Good Morning And Night)

Let’s Bring Some Happiness This Season By Making Generous Donations To The Following Organizations:

911memorial.org

Children And Nature Network

Children’s Defense Fund

Doctors Without Borders

First Responders Children’s Foundation

Habitat for Humanity

International Medical Corps

Make-A-Wish Foundation

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Mental Health America

No Kid Hungry

Paralyzed Veterans of America

St. Jude Children’s Hospital

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Wounded Warrior Project

United Service Organizations (USO)

THANK YOU!

Vikki

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THE IRAN WAR AND THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ – THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN 

(Image:  Hormuz Strait via marinevesseltraffic.com & PharmaSource, Life Science Connect, 2026 – INSIGHT Iran and Strait of Hormuz Crisis – Impact on Pharmaceutical Supply Chain) 

THE PURCHASES WE MAKE

We take a lot for granted regarding over-the-counter medicines and prescribed drugs from pharmacies we obtain from drug stores.  We automatically believe that they are manufactured domestically.  Actually, many of them have a particular supply chain originating from other countries, and that traffic flow cannot be interrupted as those items make their way to the numerous destinations.

Case in point, medicines and medical supplies travel through supply chains and, in particular, through the Strait of Hormuz.  

ABOUT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

As of this writing, the Strait of Hormuz closed February 27, 2026, and remains closed during the war/conflict with Iran (hormuzstraitmonitor.com, 2026).

“The Strait of Hormuz represents far more than a regional shipping lane—it’s the primary artery through which global energy flows. Any disruption would immediately reverberate through interconnected supply chains, hitting pharmaceutical operations through multiple vectors” (PharmaSource. Life Science Connect, 2026).

SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS MANAGEMENT

McCullough (2026) reported that:

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early 2026 has exposed the fragility of global health supply chains by highlighting how deeply key pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing inputs depend on this narrow maritime corridor. The Strait handles about 20% of global petroleum and liquefied natural gas flows, which serve as the chemical and energy backbone for pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturing worldwide.”

The mantra from the 2025 CDMO Live conference is “Know your supply chain” (PharmaSource. Life Science Connect, 2026).  Ryan Kelly, the Senior Director of Supply Chain Security and Brand Protection, offered his Critical Best Practices with rx-360 (PharmaSource. Life Science Connect, 2025), (RX-360, 2026).  According to PharmaSource. Life Science Connect (2025), Kelly advised investing in technology since that dynamic played an enormous role during COVID [“…that’s what’s helping manufacturers respond to the unexpected”] (PharmaSource. Life Science Connect, 2025).  Kelly indicated that it’s important to “know who your suppliers are”, and “know who their suppliers are” as well.

VULNERABLE PHARMACEUTICAL SHIPMENTS

Yada & Hirschfeld (2026) talked about pharmaceutical items that are the most vulnerable.  Medicines in liquid form (i.e., vaccines, cancer treatments, insulin, etc.) need to be stored at certain temperatures to remain fresh and uncontaminated.

Yada & Hirschfeld (2026):  

“Most vaccines, for example, must be stored in transit between 2°C and 8°C. Cargo carriers could need a week and a half to catch up for every week that air shipments are suspended, increasing the risk of spoiled cold-chain products and shortages. These temperature-sensitive shipments contain specialized equipment that, if held up in the Middle East due to routing delays, may cause equipment shortages in subsequent shipments.”

Collins (2025) provided further information regarding these cold-chain products:

“Critical materials like pharmaceuticals and food, or other perishable items like fresh flowers, all need to be transported in specific temperate-controlled vehicles. 

To ensure they arrive at their destination fresh and safe, these items are under strict care with careful monitoring the entire journey.

Cold chain logistics refers to the careful movement of these perishable items and products like vaccines.

A significant amount of work goes into these cold chains, whether its new technology to ensure the safe monitoring of temperatures, or new vehicles which can manage the product” (Collins, 2026).

COMPANIES LEARNING WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW

Finally, companies need to incorporate into their business practices a strong understanding of global developments as routine and how those developments can affect their businesses.  They need to know what their particular supply chains are (i.e., the countries involved and the routes taken for healthy shipment arrival).  Corporations need to invest heavily in technology to prevent as much disruption as possible whenever a global conflict becomes apparent.  Also, businesses will have to remove any vulnerability issues as much as possible within these supply chains so that pharmaceutical medicines and supplies have a safe and healthy travel experience as they reach the consumer at the drug stores.

Vikki

References

Collins, L. (2025).  Top 10:  Cold Chain Logistics Companies.  Retrieved From https://supplychaindigital.com/top10/top-10-cold-chain-logistics-companies

Hormuz Strait Monitor.  (2026).  Strait Of Hormuz LIVE.  Retrieved from https://hormuzstraitmonitor.com/

McCullough, P. A., MD, MPH. (2026).  A Chokepoint For Modern Medicine:  The Strait Of Hormuz And The Hidden Fragility Of Global Health Supply Chains.  Retrieved From https://publichealthpolicyjournal.com/a-chokepoint-for-modern-medicine-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-the-hidden-fragility-of-global-health-supply-chains/

PharmaSource.  Life Science Connect. (2026).  INSIGHT. Iran And Strait Of Hormuz Crisis – Impact on Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.  Retrieved from https://pharmasource.global/content/expert-insight/iran-and-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-impact-on-pharmaceutical-supply-chain/

PharmaSource.  Life Science Connect. (2025).  Podcast.  Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Disruption – Critical Best Practices With Rx-360.  https://pharmasource.global/content/podcast/rx-360s-ryan-kelly-shares-critical-best-practices-for-managing-pharmaceutical-supply-chain-disruptions/

RX-360.  (2026).  About RX-360. Retrieved From https://rx-360.org/about/

Yadav, P., and Hirschfeld, A.  (2026).  Governance.  Where The Iran War Could Disrupt Pharmaceutical Chains.  Pharmaceutical company executives are responding to the immediate supply-chain threats by targeting unconventional routes.  Retrieved From https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/where-the-iran-war-could-disrupt-pharmaceutical-supply-chains

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WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN – THE 1986 CHERNOBYL DISASTER

Because I have certain educational credentials, I’m obligated to protect others as best as I can.  It’s a delight for me to make attempts to connect the dots in doing so.  By placing this information out here, hopefully it will make others think about the origins of environmental hazards that have the potential to cause physical illnesses in their own communities.

One of the things I love is finding a documentary that has me on the edge of my seat.  Directed by Stuart Strickson and narrated by Ben Fogle, The CHERNOBYL DISASTER (2022) is definitely one of them!

For those of us who were adults back then, we remember those haunting images coming out of Eastern Europe (Ukraine) about a nuclear incident that had occurred, and then later subsequent images of people who lost their health being exposed to the radiation poisoning that surfaced in the atmosphere.

The three-part video talks about the players involved in the government and the Chernobyl facility, the community as the nuclear plant was being manufactured, and the sights and sounds of the people within the community going about their daily lives.  There are discussions about how the disaster occurred and why it was allowed to occur.  The story takes us directly inside the facility with well-preserved film footage.

There are several explanations why this devastating incident is important in this century.  It falls under the category of protecting our environment (first) and protecting our health!

The Russia-Ukraine War began in 2022.  The images of Russian tanks that we saw a few years ago were entering the surrounding area of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, kicking up radiation dust as the tanks entered Ukraine.  Dust in general, whatever its components, does not remain in one place.  Dust spreads to other locations, and depending on the scope, other regions.  The European Commission (2026) stated that “The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, its relentless attacks, military activity in the region and disruptions to the site pose a continuous threat to nuclear safety, raising concerns about the integrity of containment structures and the safe confinement of the radioactive materials.”

Now we come to another important issue:  Young adults and their health.  

Siegel, Wagle, & Jemel (2026) reported that while certain cancers since 2014 – 2023 have declined in causing mortality (i.e., brain, breast, leukemia, lung), colorectal cancer has increased in causing cancer deaths among adults under 50 years of age.  

To expand further, McDowell (2025) indicated that more women under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with cancer compared to men under the age of 50.  “The incidence rate for women younger than 50 has increased from 51% higher than men in 2002 to 82% higher in 2021 (the most current year with data)” (McDowell, 2025).

While there can be several explanations why this community (i.e., adults under 50 years of age) is being diagnosed with cancer, we cannot rule out environmental exposure to hazardous materials as the culprit.

And there is such a thing as those forever chemicals that appear to be lurking about pretty much everywhere in our household and external environment in general.  We can learn what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing in attempts to protect Americans from those chemicals right here https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-advances-comprehensive-pfas-strategy-legally-defensible-practical-scientifically

Vikki

References

European Commission. Energy. (2026).  Safeguarding Chernobyl: strengthening protection and resilience in Ukraine.  Retrieved From https://energy.ec.europa.eu/news/safeguarding-chernobyl-strengthening-protection-and-resilience-ukraine-2026-04-24_en

McDowell, S. (2025).  Cancer Incidence Rate For Women Under 50 Rises Above Men’s.  Retrieved From https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-news/cancer-incidence-rate-for-women-under-50-rises-above-mens.html

Siegel, R. L., MPH(1), Wagle, N. S., PhD, MBBS, MHA(1), and Jemal, A., DVM, PhD(1). (2026).  Leading Cancer Deaths In People Younger Than 50 Years.  Retrieved From https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2844189

Strickson, S. (Director). (2022). The Chernobyl Disaster. [Film]. Prime Video. amazon.com