Could barefoot road running cause cancer?

BarefootOakland

Barefooters
Mar 10, 2012
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Hi, sorry about the hyperbole, but that's an honest question I've been asking myself recently. More directly, could all of the chemicals our feet get exposed to on road runs build up in our system and cause health problems?

I've been barefoot running for about 2 years now, and I love it, mostly. One thing I don't love is cleaning the gunk off of my feet after a run. Some of it has to be stuff you don't want in your system. Has anyone looked into this? What chemicals are on roads and sidewalks, and can they be absorbed through skin?
 
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Ahcuah and Longboard can answer better, but I worry about all the glue and chemicals that go into making a pair of shoes. Good question though.
 
I don't believe anyone has the answer but my guess is when compared to the risks of getting hit by a car or breathing in the air pollution it has to be negligable . Probably the very rare chance of getting malignant melanoma on the top of your foot from UV exposure is thousands of times greater.
 
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TJ - good point about the chemicals that go into shoes. I know that sometimes when I've broken new shoes in my feet will be covered in dye afterward. However, we should remember that those chemicals are under much more control and regulation than the random stuff on the street.
 
I personally wouldn't and don't trust every government entity or those companies who propose to follow government regulations. I mean it would be nice if all companies followed all rules, but we know that's not always true...and what's worse is we don't know which and when the rules are being broken.
 
getting hit by a car or breathing in the air pollution quote]
Not to mention fluoride in the water we drink or the toothpaste we use. Something to be very concern about.
 
Longboard - Those are great points about other risks, but their existence doesn't merit ignoring this one. It's always a qualitative calculation - should I take the time to put sunscreen on my feet to avoid melanoma? Should I stick to the sidewalks to avoid being hit by cars? Should I check the air index before I run? but, to do the calculations one needs to know the risks. All of the ones you mentioned are known and it's easy to figure out the risks. I think the road-borne chemical risks should at least be considered.
 
Yes, good points.
 
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Dama, somehow your quote from me is mixed with what you added.
No big deal, but only because I happen to be a pro-fluoride advocate I just want to add this in case someone attributes your fluoride warning to me. I believe in fluoride supplements in addition to what is in the water supply as well as toothpaste.
The only warning I would give is to be sure any young children only use a tiny bit on their brush because they swallow more than we would guess.
 
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Dama, somehow your quote from me is mixed with what you added.
No big deal, but only because I happen to be a pro-fluoride advocate I just want to add this in case someone attributes your flouride warning to me. I believe in flouride supplements in addition to what is in the water supply as well as toothpaste.
The only warning I would give is to be sure any young children only use a tiny bit on their brush because they swallow more than we would guess.
oops, I forgot, I forgot that you're a tooth Dr:D my bad, the reason I mentioned fluoride is because I have read not so pleasant evils about it but it's not your fault:D.
 
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Ha!
 
never thought about that. i worry more about the chemicals they put on and in our food. there are also lots of chemicals in your clothes, house, car, etc. it's scary the chemicals we now live with. to stop living because of fear is a life not lived.
 
http://www.martinmarietta.com/products/MSDS-Asphalt.pdf
"In general, the oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons destroys their carcinogenic potential."

Personally, I don't worry about asphalt, especially old asphalt covered in dirt/dust. However, I avoid fresh asphalt while it's still airing out, as that stuff smells pretty nasty.
One thing I don't love is cleaning the gunk off of my feet after a run.
My soles get a bit dusty, and I'll wash them off with soap and water. As for your gunk, who knows? Just how gunky do they get? Do you run on industrial roads? Perhaps, consider contacting an analytical testing lab, if you are worried enough.

Personally, I don't run on busy roads, because I don't like breathing in exhaust and particulates.
www.msdsonline.com/blog/2010/08/does-osha-require-an-msds-for-exhaust/
 
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Just a quick hijack:
Before the internets I had a handful of patients per year that decided they would be healthier without dental x-rays. One of the main reasons for the annual exposure is to discover between the tooth smooth surface decay before it is otherwise noticeable. Waiting for more obvious signs usually results in a large filling in a weakened tooth, and is now the type of restored tooth that is the most typical candidate for a crown or root canal AND crown later in life.
Fluoride greatly reduces the incidence of smooth surface decay, and x-rays detect between the tooth smooth surface decay while it can be reversed or treated via a tiny bonded filling.
Thanks to the innerwebs, we now have anti-fluoride patients that never used to exist. Sadly they also buy into the no x-ray philosophy, and these parents who believe they are protecting their kids from the evils of dentistry in general don't encourage or supervise flossing which is the ONLY other way to reduce the incidence of in between the tooth decay. Those poor kids now have mouths like their grandparents did.....huge fillings in all back teeth at 17 years of age, destined for future problems and constant re-construction throughout life.
Of course, they assume I am just a part of the conspiracy and funding my race entry fees with the kickbacks I'm receiving from corporate America. Nobody wants to believe that I never get rich off the ones who listen: brush, floss, fluoride, x-rays, limit sweets. etc.
We have three kids, age 32, 24, and 22, and live in a community supplied by well water. I provided fluoride suppliments to them all along, and supervised flossing. Not a cavity yet between their 96 teeth combined.
I gotta go, I've got another window open in which I'm purchasing a grounding sheet.
 
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Hey, don't waste your money on a crappy grounding sheet. They're sold by quacks who just want to make a quick buck from people that have a poor understanding of science. Go with full EMF protection.
www.lessemf.com/personal.html

I would, but it's more expensive and would cut into my enlargement budget.