Top 10 Toxins Secretly Hiding in Your Home
Everyone knows the basic way to stay “healthyâ€:
Eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of sleep, and strive to get a sufficient amount of exercise. We are here to help you understand the less-obvious areas in your life that need your attention: THE HOME
What is the best way to avoid toxins in your home? Start by reading the labels on your personal care products and cleaning supplies. Look for words like “non-toxicâ€, “natural ingredientsâ€, and “Organic†on the bottles. He is a list of the top ten chemicals and toxins to avoid in your home.
1. Phthalates:
Where are they found? These are sneaky. PVC PLASTICS! Our children’s toys, raincoats, and even women’s cosmetics are just a few places these can be found. DEP or diethyl phthalate is commonly found in fragrances. Women of childbearing age and children have the highest exposure rates, one study says.
What do they do to me? Even though the exact effects on the health of humans are unknown, phthalates are a group of chemicals known as plasticizers. What that means is this chemical is added to plastics to make them harder and more durable. There have been studies that have shown a change in hormone levels and cause birth effects in rodents.
What can I do instead? Start by looking for labels that say phthalate free. Look for bio-based plastics like disposable cups or teethers. Phthalate plastics are coded with a 3 or 7, so try looking for ones that have a 1, 2 or 5.
2. BPA (Bisphenol A)
Where are they found? Again, this one is found in hard plastic. A recent study found that 90% of Americans have BPA in their bodies at any given time. The most common place BPA is found in packaging: canned food, water bottles, and most plastics containing a 3 or 7 recycle code on them.
What do they do to me? It has the same potential to disrupt hormones, is linked to certain of cancers and cardiovascular and behavior issues, especially in young children.
What can I do instead? First things first, drink form glass or stainless steel cups, especially for the babies. Do not heat up plastic containers as they speed up BPA leaching process. Start looking for BPA-free plastics and canned goods.
3. Synthetic Pesticides
Where are they found? The most common source for these guys is living in our fruits and veggies. Pesticides can also be carried into our home via shoes!
What do they do to me? Pesticides have a DIRECT impact on humans. There is overwhelming evidence that these chemicals can mimic natural hormones in the body causing immune suppression, hormone disruption, diminished intelligence, reproductive abnormalities and even cancer.
What can I do instead? Inforce a “no-shoes†police in your home, DUH! By organic produce whenever possible or even grow the produce yourself.
4. Formaldehyde
Where are they found? Wallpaper, paints, synthetic fibers, air fresheners, pressed – wood products, and evens some cosmetics are some of the most common places formaldehyde can be found in our homes. Formaldehyde is also a natural byproduct of fuel-burning appliances and cigarette smoke.
What do they do to me? Formaldehyde is a well-known human carcinogen. It has been linked to many types of different cancers.
What can I do instead? Rid the house of AIR FRESHENERS! Look for natural aromas or diffusers. Examine personal skin-care labels closely and when buying wooden furniture, ask about formaldehyde levels.
5. Parabens
Where are they found? Paraben is considered a preservative typically found in health and personal care products. Studies show that parabens are in 85% of cosmetics and 90% of typical grocery store items. Things like shaving creams, moisturizers, and make up commonly contain parabens. Any product whose label lists an ingredient ending in paraben, ie; butylparaben and methylparaben, contains paraben.
What do they do to me? Parabens are what are known as “xenoestrogen.†Basically what that means is that they mimic the role of estrogen and disrupt hormone function. Due to this, it links them to an increase risk of breast cancer
What can I do instead? Seeing that parabens are used as a preservative, trying to avoid foods that have long self-life is the first step. Look for items that use essential oils, sodium benzoate, or phynoxyethanol as alternative preservatives.
6. Dimethicone
Where are they found? Dimethicone is a man- made silicon oil that is in a wide variety of products such as shampoos, conditioners, BB creams, and even sunscreens are known to have dimethicone.
What do they do to me? Seeing how dimethicone is used to make skin-care products more applicable, it artificially coats the skin and keeps everything trapped underneath it. It causes an increase in breakouts and clogged skin.
What can I do instead? Again, read the label. If it has ingredients what end with –cone, -siloxane, and –conol, AVOID IT! Look for things with a natural emollient like sea butter
7. Ammonia
Where are they Found? Ammonia is a very strong gas that can be dissolved in water to make an alkaline solution. In the home, it is most commonly found in oven cleaners, glass cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners.
What do they do to me? Exposer to ammonia in large doses can causes reactions such as burning of the eyes, nose and throat. In some more serious cause can cause blindness or lung damage. EXTREME high exposer can even be fatal.
What can I do instead? Use products such as baking soda or vinegar
8. Glycol Ethers
Where are they found? Glycol Ethers are considered a solvent. Solvents are typically used in cleaners as well. Some of the most common cleaners with Glycol Ethers are glass floor and oven cleaners.
What do they do to me? The EPA states that short-term exposure to high levels of them causes “narcosis, pulmonary edema, and severe liver and kidney damage.†Chronic exposer often leads to “fatigue, nausea, tremor and anemiaâ€
What can I do instead? Try making your own natural cleaning products at home or buy products that supply the full list of ingredient like Puracy.
9. PFOS and PFOA
Where are they found? Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) are man- made chemicals. These are used to make products waterproof, nonstick and stain- resistant. PFOS and PFOA can be found on nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpet, microwaveable popcorn, and even our groundwater.
What do they do to me? Studies on animals have shown extreme health effects such as reducing birth size and infant mortality.
What can I do instead? Use Stainless steel, glass (like Pyrex) or cast-iron skillets when cooking. Filter your water! Most filters will regulate for both chemicals.
10. Triclosan
Where are they found? Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal that is put in hand soaps, body washes and fluoride based toothpastes.
What do they do to me? More importantly, what does it do to my puppies! It has been proven to alter hormone regulation in animals. Triclosan may also be harmful to the human immune system and even contribute to antibiotic-resistant germs! Irony.
What can I do instead? Use plain soap and water! Easy as that. The FDA has determined that plain soap is equally effective as antibacterial soaps.
Please remember that most of these chemicals in low does are safe. High levels can cause adverse health effects. Start reading your labels and stick to natural, non-toxic products for your homes.
-Molly Sparks, DC
If you have any questions, or would like to learn more let us know! We’re always here to answer questions and we offer completely complimentary consultations at all of our clinics. Contact us today.
