OVERLOAD reveals the increasing toxic burden on human health from chemicals in our environment.
Before starting a family, Soozie Eastman, daughter of an industrial chemical distributor, embarks on a journey to find out the levels of toxins in her body and explores if there is anything she or anyone else can do to change them. Soozie has just learned that hundreds of synthetic toxins are now found in every baby born in America and the government and chemical corporations are doing little to protect citizens and consumers.
With guidance from world-renowned physicians and environmental leaders, interviews with scientists and politicians, and stories of everyday Americans, Soozie uncovers how we got to be so overloaded with chemicals and explores whether there is anything we can do to take control of our exposure.
Just as she feared, extensive blood testing reveals alarming levels of chemicals such as organophosphates and PBDEs in her body, so she undertakes a rigorous detox regimen of dietary changes, exercise and informed product choices designed to manage and minimize her toxic body burden.
She's determined to find out: Can we hit the reset button, or is it too late?
71 minutes
Directed by Soozie Eastman
Produced by Dog With A Bone Productions
Executive Producers: Stephen Nemeth, Lisa Kaas Boyle, Michael Green
Editor: Aleksandar Marinovich
Graphic Design: Jonathan Klingenfus
Camera; Reid Olson, Brelin Telford, Hannah Bowman, Derek Means
Music Supervisor: Leah Streetman
Original Score: Sebastian Chang
"Soozie is like everywoman, appalled and confused about the ubiquity of the chemicals that are allowed around us. OVERLOAD leaves us with the knowledge and tools that we can all use to fight and avoid this government-sanctioned flood of chemicals and take control for ourselves, our families and our world."
Adelita Cantu, Associate Professor of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio
"OVERLOAD leads viewers along an entertaining personal journey, beginning with the startling discovery that we each carry hundreds of synthetic chemical ingredients in our bodies that are commonly used in consumer products, without any effective regulatory oversight or understanding of the consequences. Instead of stopping there, however, she makes a few basic changes in her diet and purchasing habits that start to drastically detoxify her life. As conscious consumers, we have the potential collective power to help drive changes that ripple further out into our communities and the industries that are the ultimate source of the problem."
Charlie Cray, Senior Research Specialist, Greenpeace USA
"This highly engaging and educational film describes the many sources and dangers of toxic environmental chemicals. BUT it also give us hope via practical solutions for reducing our exposures at both the personal and community level. I highly recommend it for teachers and community groups who wish to raise awareness of these issues."
Dr. Ann Aschengrau, Professor of Epidemiology, Boston University, Co-author, Essentials of Epidemiology in Public Health
"Soozie's personal journey to learn about and reduce her exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday products is illuminating. OVERLOAD highlights that we each have the power to make meaningful changes to protect our health. Her experiences also underscore the need for governments and corporations to step up and remove these chemicals from the marketplace."
Dr. Katie Pelch, Senior Scientist, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (TEDX)
"OVERLOAD provides Americans with the important reminder that every day, we are exposed to toxic chemicals...This is a necessary film for today's time, since our government will not make stronger regulations in regards to toxins, and the chemical industry will always put profit over health. As this film makes clear, we need to educate ourselves on what we can do to make a healthier and safer world."
Linda Reinstein, President and CEO, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization