avoiding toxic chemical exposure
Increasing amounts of research is finding that toxic exposure from five chemicals, so common that they're almost certain to be a part of every room in your home, can be tied to many serious ailments ... things like cancer, sexual problems and behavior issues.
These chemicals did not exist a hundred years ago, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified them all as "chemicals of concern".
What's more, tests have found we have them all in our bodies today. They are ...
1. bisphenol A or BPA - is used in water bottles, baby bottles, reusable containers, plastic silverware, linings of cans and jar lids. It's also in CDs, electronic equipment and dental sealants.
The CDC found BPA in the urine of 93% of those tested and it has been found to pose a cancer risk, to mimic estrogen and disrupt the sensitive endocrine system.
After the reports you've heard in the media, recycling codes on the bottom of plastic containers do not indicate the presence of BPA. Instead, look for BPA-free items, or use the ones you have safely, washing them in soap and water (not excessively hot water).
Get rid of any item once it looks worn, has cracks, scratches or starts to degrade in any way. You can also use glass or stainless steel, switch to fresh or frozen veggies rather than canned, and never microwave a suspected BPA plastic container.
2. phthalates - these are a part of hair care items like shampoo, conditioner and hair sprays as well as body sprays, perfumes, soap, nail polish, shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl floors and wall covers, food packing and coatings used in time release pharmaceuticals.
Virtually everyone is exposed to these chemicals, and there has been research that shows prenatal exposure and an increased incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder later in childhood. They are also considered disruptors to the highly sensitive endocrine system.
To protect yourself, avoid any product that lists "fragrance" as an ingredient becausecompanies are not required to distinguish precisely what they use to make scents, though they are quick to insure us the chemicals are safe, despite the government recently banning the sale of toys that have any one of six phthalates.
3. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) - found in Teflon and other nonstick or stain and water-resistant coatings used on cookware, waterproof, breathable clothing, furniture and carpets as well as a variety of industrial applications.
Almost all of us have PFOA in our blood, a substance that has been shown to cause cancer and developmental problems in lab animals.
The best protection from this chemical is to use cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron. If you do use nonstick pans, be sure not to over heat, as this is thought to release the toxic gases that contaminates both air and food.
4. formaldehyde - is a part of press wood products made of particleboard, plywood, paneling and fiberboard as well as a part of glues, adhesives and draperies. Car exhaust and smoke from cigarettes also contain this toxic chemical, a known human carcinogen that has been linked to cancers of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
Protect yourself from formaldehyde by buying furniture without the chemical, or you can consider exterior grade pressed wood items, that while they do emit the chemicals, do so at a much lower level. You can also increase the ventilation of any area with these items in place, while also doing what you can to reduce the humidity in the air and keep your home cool.
5. polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PDBEs - flame-retardants, these are found in your television, computer, wire insulation and furniture foam. Over time these PDBEs are sent into the environment as dust - more than 124 million pounds of PBDEs are produced each year, and they do not break down easily either.
The CDC finds that infants have the highest exposure compared to body weight, followed by babies and toddlers, and levels in adults have been going up since the 1960s and 1970s.
These substances do accumulate in the body and according to the EPA can damage the liver and kidneys, as well as affect the brain and behavior. Limit your toxic exposure by trying to remove the dust right away, sometimes dusting with a mask and glove, and try to buy items without PBDEs as flame-retardants.
https://dailygreenworld.com/2019/02/24/avoid-toxic-exposure-starting-now/
These chemicals did not exist a hundred years ago, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified them all as "chemicals of concern".
What's more, tests have found we have them all in our bodies today. They are ...
1. bisphenol A or BPA - is used in water bottles, baby bottles, reusable containers, plastic silverware, linings of cans and jar lids. It's also in CDs, electronic equipment and dental sealants.
The CDC found BPA in the urine of 93% of those tested and it has been found to pose a cancer risk, to mimic estrogen and disrupt the sensitive endocrine system.
After the reports you've heard in the media, recycling codes on the bottom of plastic containers do not indicate the presence of BPA. Instead, look for BPA-free items, or use the ones you have safely, washing them in soap and water (not excessively hot water).
Get rid of any item once it looks worn, has cracks, scratches or starts to degrade in any way. You can also use glass or stainless steel, switch to fresh or frozen veggies rather than canned, and never microwave a suspected BPA plastic container.
2. phthalates - these are a part of hair care items like shampoo, conditioner and hair sprays as well as body sprays, perfumes, soap, nail polish, shower curtains, medical tubing, vinyl floors and wall covers, food packing and coatings used in time release pharmaceuticals.
Virtually everyone is exposed to these chemicals, and there has been research that shows prenatal exposure and an increased incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder later in childhood. They are also considered disruptors to the highly sensitive endocrine system.
To protect yourself, avoid any product that lists "fragrance" as an ingredient becausecompanies are not required to distinguish precisely what they use to make scents, though they are quick to insure us the chemicals are safe, despite the government recently banning the sale of toys that have any one of six phthalates.
3. PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) - found in Teflon and other nonstick or stain and water-resistant coatings used on cookware, waterproof, breathable clothing, furniture and carpets as well as a variety of industrial applications.
Almost all of us have PFOA in our blood, a substance that has been shown to cause cancer and developmental problems in lab animals.
The best protection from this chemical is to use cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron. If you do use nonstick pans, be sure not to over heat, as this is thought to release the toxic gases that contaminates both air and food.
4. formaldehyde - is a part of press wood products made of particleboard, plywood, paneling and fiberboard as well as a part of glues, adhesives and draperies. Car exhaust and smoke from cigarettes also contain this toxic chemical, a known human carcinogen that has been linked to cancers of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
Protect yourself from formaldehyde by buying furniture without the chemical, or you can consider exterior grade pressed wood items, that while they do emit the chemicals, do so at a much lower level. You can also increase the ventilation of any area with these items in place, while also doing what you can to reduce the humidity in the air and keep your home cool.
5. polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PDBEs - flame-retardants, these are found in your television, computer, wire insulation and furniture foam. Over time these PDBEs are sent into the environment as dust - more than 124 million pounds of PBDEs are produced each year, and they do not break down easily either.
The CDC finds that infants have the highest exposure compared to body weight, followed by babies and toddlers, and levels in adults have been going up since the 1960s and 1970s.
These substances do accumulate in the body and according to the EPA can damage the liver and kidneys, as well as affect the brain and behavior. Limit your toxic exposure by trying to remove the dust right away, sometimes dusting with a mask and glove, and try to buy items without PBDEs as flame-retardants.
https://dailygreenworld.com/2019/02/24/avoid-toxic-exposure-starting-now/