Are Dangerous Toxins Lurking in Your Home?

For years, we’ve heard that no matter what we do, we can’t entirely escape environmental toxins. They are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. But we also encounter chemicals in our homes every day—in plastic bottles, food containers, cookware, cleaning items, electronics, cushions, mattresses. In other words, every room in our homes probably has at least one of these toxins, putting health in jeopardy. “There is growing recognition in the scientific community that exposure to even low doses of certain chemicals can disturb our hormonal, reproductive, and immune systems,” says the National Resources Defense Council, an environmental action group. Many scientists believe that toxic buildup in our bodies may increase our risk for some cancers, Parkinson’s, and other serious conditions. But there are ways to reduce your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals commonly found around the house. Here, some suggestions:

Clean Naturally

While the chemicals in commercial cleaning products, keep our homes sparkling and germ-free, many popular brands contain toxic chemicals linked to skin or respiratory irritation, asthma, headaches, reproductive disorders, and even cancer. If you want to see whether your favorite product has hazardous ingredients, check out the Environmental Working Group’s personal care product database which includes information on more than 2,000 household cleaners. The nonprofit EWG ranked the cleaners based on how hazardous their ingredients were and how much information they include on their labels. You might also consider using products free of most chemicals made by green manufacturers such as Seventh Generation and Sun & Earth. Or try natural alternatives such as white distilled vinegar to clean mirrors and windows, baking soda to scrub sinks, tubs and toilets, olive or vegetable oil with lemon as a good furniture polish.

Snuff Those Toxic Flame Retardants

PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are chemicals used as flame retardants, meaning they make household products less likely to catch fire. Although now banned, they are still lurking in a wide array of items that people keep for years— from foam mattresses and upholstered chairs to televisions, car seats and electronics. Unfortunately, they’re linked to some serious health issues: thyroid problems, reduced fertility, hormone disruption, and various forms of cancer. Because PBDEs shed off their products, they build up in dust or indoor air. To reduce exposure, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter; clean regularly with a damp cloth to capture dust particles rather than moving them around into the air, and wash your hands several times a day. In one study of Massachusetts office workers, those who washed their hands four or more times a day had on average three times lower concentrations of PBDEs in their blood.

Opt for Stainless Steel or Glass

In 2008, scientific research on Bisphenol-A (BPA), a common chemical in plastic, convinced many consumers to stop using plastic baby bottles, drinking bottles and other products with the substance. Eventually the FDA banned BPA, which acts as a synthetic estrogen, in many products, especially those used by children. But there are plenty of products that still contain the chemical, which can lead to reproductive disorders, breast and prostate cancer, and other conditions. To help reduce your BPA exposure, store leftover foods in stainless steel or glass containers instead of plastic, don’t buy plastic water bottles unless they have a recycle code of 1, 2 or 5, and check whether your automatic, plastic coffeemaker contains BPA, since it can leech into your coffee as the plastic heats. Also, use fewer canned foods since they often have plastic lining in the cans. Choose more fresh or frozen foods instead.

Avoid Formaldehyde Exposure

Formaldehyde, most commonly known as embalming fluid, is a common component of pressed wood, particleboard and fiberboard products such as cabinetry, furniture and paneling,. It’s also found in cigarette smoke, adhesives and permanent-press fabrics. According to a report from the National Research Council, formaldehyde is “known as a human carcinogen.” In addition, it’s a respiratory irritant that can set off coughing, watery eyes and an increased risk of asthma and allergies in children. Do what you can to protect your entire family from formaldehyde exposure. If you are buying new furniture, avoid pressed wood and buy real wood instead. If you need to buy pressed wood products, choose “exterior grade” and ask manufacturers about formaldehyde content. You can also reduce formaldehyde exposure in your home by washing new clothing and fabrics before use, opening the windows regularly to ensure good ventilation, and not allowing smoking indoors.

Watch Those Scents

For many years, we’ve heard about phthalates, used to soften plastics and as lubricants in cosmetics. The chemicals are found in thousands of products, including scented shampoos, deodorants, fragrances, scented candles, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, raincoats, pesticides, and soft plastic toys. Unfortunately, they are so widespread that they are impossible to eliminate from our homes completely, but we can reduce our exposure. This is important because phthalates are considered endocrine disruptors and are linked to a range of reproductive issues including birth defects and damaged sperm DNA. They are also linked to thyroid irregularities and may damage the kidneys and liver. You can reduce your exposure by avoiding soft plastics (including hand-me-down toys) as much as possible. Whenever possible, avoid hair and body products that list “fragrance,” “parfum” or even “natural fragrances” as an ingredient and opt for products scented with essential oils or labeled “no synthetic fragrance.”