Toxno is an Information Resource for Toxic Chemical Exposures and Resultant Health Consequences.
We investigate chemicals of concern like Heavy Metals and Pesticides. We source important data and visualise it. We collaborate with a world class laboratory (EAL) at Southern Cross University in Australia to test, publish de-identified innovatively visualised results online and research emerging chemicals of concern. We are passionate about raising awareness and our children’s future.
Science is only just beginning to grasp the combined effects of daily low dose toxic chemical exposures. It comes down to us, individuals, getting informed and acting at home and at the community level to preserve human and animal health and wellbeing along with sustainability of our beautiful earth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classify the heavy metals Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium and Mercury and one non-metal – excess Fluoride – amoung the top ten chemicals of major public health concern.
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HMA or HTMA) in Australia
For the first time in Australia, human hair testing is available to the public using the absolute latest Perkin Elmer Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer at Environmental Analysis Laboratories in Lismore, Australia. Instrument detection limits are at or below the single part per trillion (ppt) level for many of substances tested. Results are then presented online without any personal details - hence preserving privacy and confidentiality. Many innovative features are utilised so that individuals can get the outmost from their results. Example results are on this page. It's also a great way for children to get screened for heavy metal exposure like antimony, lead and mercury because of the non-invasive nature of the test.
Sources and Health Consequences of CADMIUM Exposure
This article gives a comprehensive list and explanation of possible exposures to the heavy metal, CADMIUM (Cd). This is an in-depth look at how we can be exposed to Cadmium. Most importantly, we also look at how cadmium exposure can effect children and adult long-term health. This report is especially useful for those who have found levels in their body through pathology testing or the Toxtest/EAL Hair Analysis of toxic metals. This article will be updated as more information becomes available and complements all other Cadmium related information and tests on Toxno and Toxtest.
Lead Exposure from Shooting Ranges – Update
Lead (+ other heavy metal) exposure at Shooting Ranges and the Danger to Human and Environmental Health
Animals and Pets are Sentinels for toxic Heavy Metal Exposures in Humans: Efficacy of Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HMA or HTMA)
Like humans, our pets and our farming and work animals can be exposed to toxic heavy metals and consequently suffer symptoms, get sick or under perform. In this article we explore how exposure to heavy metals like Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury and others can affect our much-adored pets. Because animals, especially our pets, share our environments, we explore the notion that our animals act as sentinels or guardians absorbing unseen dangerous chemicals that we or particularly our children, may also be exposed too. Finally, we demonstrate that low cost animal hair testing, can reveal these unseen exposures and subsequently open a pathway to reduce exposures both in our beloved animals, our children and ourselves.
Testing DUST in your home, workplace or school for heavy metals like Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium and Antimony
DUST TESTING: This article has been significantly updated on our new Toxtest Dust Testing page in March 2021. DUST TESTING in AUSTRALIA. Dust Testing in Australia is now affordable for Families. The new Toxtest Dust Testing page shows Example Results that are visually innovative and sensitive enough to pick up interior and exterior contamination and focuses on the environments we spend the most time in - Workspaces, Schools, Offices and our Homes.
Soil remediation after glyphosate devastation
This is a 2019 update of an our article demonstrating simple soil remediation strategies and techniques after heavy applications of weed killer (glyphosate) in a residential backyard. Growing Health Food - but wait... after moving in to a house in 2016, I soon realised that the entire garden bed had been sprayed with weed killer. Everything was dead and a quick call to the real estate agent and a confirmation chat with their handy man revealed that indeed Roundup (Glyphosate) was heavily sprayed so as to avoid manual weed pulling. Here is the unfolding of the story in pictures...
Sources of Lead (Pb) Exposure – Update 2019
This article gives a comprehensive list and explanation of possible exposures to the heavy metal, LEAD (Pb). Lead is a neurotoxin and has been known to cause brain damage and reduced cognitive capacity, especially in children. Lead exposure can result in nephropathy, as well as blood disorders such as high blood pressure and anemia. Lead also exhibits reproductive toxicity and can results in miscarriages and reduced sperm production. Lead is absorbed following inhalation, oral, and dermal exposure. It is then distributed mainly to the bones and red blood cells.
Reasons for Filtering Town Water
During town water treatment processes the following chemicals may be used by the water authorities for purposes shown here. From the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG, 2018)
Mercury (Hg): Exposure Routes and Health Effects
Mercury bio-accumulates in human brain, the food chain and the environment and is highly toxic. Pregnant-to-be woman, the elderly and children, especially developing foetuses and infants, are particularly vulnerable to mercury. Here we demonstrate that mercury exposure occurs through multiple routes and that individuals can reduce significant exposure from sources like artisanal gold mining, fish consumption and proximity to mining activities.
Sources of Arsenic Exposure
This article gives a comprehensive list and explanation of possible exposures to the heavy metal, ARSENIC (As) particluarly in Australia. This is an in-depth look at how we can be exposed to Arsenic. Most importantly, we look at ways to minimise this. This report is especially useful for those who have found levels in their body through pathology testing or the Toxtest/EAL Hair Analysis of toxic metals. This article will be updated as more information becomes available and complements all other Arsenic related information and tests on Toxno and Toxtest.
Interpreting Dangers of Radioactivity in Foods, Water and Objects
A recent analysis of an Amber Necklace at our sister site, Toxtest, for any emitting Gamma, Beta, Alpha Radiation revealed a level of 0.09 μSv per hour or, if worn 24/7, would equal about 788 μSv per year. To put this into perspective, reports of average doses of radiation per year range from 3000 to 6000 μSv per year. This includes exposure from natural radiation (from soil, cosmic rays, etc.)
How we get exposed to the heavy metal, CHROMIUM (Cr)
This is an evolving testament of possible exposures to the toxic form of Chromium (hexavalent chromium). Data comes from researching the current literature and other sources. Thanks to all the scientists, researchers, universities, government departments and investigative journalists for making this data possible and available.
Silver (Ag): Exposure Routes and Health Effects
Silver is becoming more pervasive in our food, in dental and medical devices, in implants and even the cloths we wear. Silver forms silver-protein complexes when absorbed into the circulation and these become deposited in key soft tissues, including the skin, liver, kidney, spleen, lungs, and brain and at this stage must be presumed to present a health risk to exposed persons under some circumstances. Here we show ways we are increasingly exposured to silver and as such help us develop stratagies for avoidance and minimisation so as to reduce possible harm. This report is especially useful for those who have found levels in their body through pathology testing or the Toxtest/EAL Hair Analysis of toxic metals. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Problems with Pesticides – a Toxno slideshow
Pesticides kill. That’s why we created them. Little combat chemical molecules that wage war on plants, worms, insects, rats or bugs. How is increasing human exposure to pesticides affecting health (especially children and future generations)? Are current models of pesticide use and production conducive for sustained food production? Is the all-important rich biodiversity of soil microbial life being decimated? Are regulations that are designed to protect us from harmful toxic chemical exposures adequate? Are current toxicology risk assessment models out of date in the current climate of multiple chemical exposures? Most importantly – what can we do as individuals and a community.
Toxno, Toxtest and Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) at Southern Cross University in Lismore, NSW, Australia, collaborate to provide innovation and an Australian first in hair, water, soil/compost or dust testing of 32 heavy metals and minerals. Our Hair analysis (also called Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HMA or HTMA)) is AU$98. Order forms can be downloaded below.
All results are published (de-identified) online and updated regularly as new health or exposure route information becomes available for each metal/mineral. All results are dynamic, contain instructions, have full support and contain clickable links to current health and exposure information for each metal/mineral.
Hair results are live and use innovative moving graphical visualisations, while our water and soil analyses concurrently visualise your results based on human, animal and agricultural guidelines - a true Australian innovation.
IMAGE at START: Working as a Team – By Manuel F. Guerrero, U.S. Marine Corps [Public domain], via Wikimedia
Toxno & Toxtest Multiverse
We have life-saving information from over 25,000 substances and their common Exposure Routes