Common Sources of Everyday Toxins

Flame retardant chemicals are prevalent in all types of textiles. Couches, carpeting, and children's sleepwear put everyone at risk of toxic exposures. 

Artificial air fresheners that are sprayed in the air or on furniture or plugged in wall outlets have a large variety of toxic chemicals that negatively impact the respiratory, reproductive, and neurological systems of the body. Safer options include pure essential oils that can be diffused to create uplifting, energizing, and fresh smelling environments. 

Pesticides like Glyphosate in many US cereals and sprayed on many food crops put everyone at risk! Utilize the Environemental Working Group's Dirty Dozen list that is updated yearly to learn which fruits/vegetables test the highest in toxins. Titanium Dioxide, artificial colors and dyes, and many other ingredients have been banned in other countires yet are still readily used in the United States food supply. Read labels carefully and buy organic when possible. 

Whether you’re putting leftovers into containers at home, packing a school lunch or getting takeout, you may be packing some nasty toxic chemicals along with your food.  Chemicals such as PFAS are used to coat takeout containers and wrappers, and BPA often lines food cans.  These toxic chemicals can cause serious health harms like cancer, and next-generation substitutes are often just as bad – or worse.  

Asbestos. Formaldehyde. Lead. 

Not exactly the words you think of when you’re purchasing your favorite personal care products.  Sadly, toxic chemicals in our cosmetics, sunscreens and skin care products have gone unregulated as far back as the Great Depression. While other countries have taken action to protect their citizens from chemicals linked to cancer and reproductive harm, the FDA doesn’t even require the basic safety testing of ingredients in personal care products before they’re used. 

Do you know what you’re putting on your skin?

 What you use to clean your surroundings can affect your health and the environment.  Many manufacturers of household cleaners do not disclose their ingredients on product labels, making it virtually impossible for consumers to choose safer products.   

Steer clear of ambiguous mixtures. Look for products that disclose all ingredients, including those hidden behind vague terms like “fragrance,” “surfactant” and “preservative.” 

Avoiding marketing hype. Stay away from potential greenwashing, such as words like “green,” “natural” and “non-toxic.” There are no regulatory standards for these terms.

Flouride, PFAS, Lead, and MANY other toxic chemicals exist in our water supply.  Utilize water filter systems for drinking water and bathing. Installing whole house water filtration system ensures that water for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry is safe for everyone in the family including children and pets.  Even if you can't install a whole house system, install filtered shower heads and products for bathtub faucets for safer bathing. The skin is the largest organ and what goes on the skin is absorbed and impacts the entire body. 

From water bottles to children's toys, furniture to diapers, plastics are in abundance in our homes, schools, and work settings. Chemicals in plastics are known for toxins that negatively impact our health. Even small changes such as glass water bottles can lower your toxic load.  

PFOA's and similar chemicals are volatile compounds found in carpet, furniture, paint, and all aspect of our living spaces. Anything labeled stain resistant, water repellant or nonstick has toxic chemicals. Even paper coated products such as popcorn bags and paper plates are impacted.    

Laundry detergents are full of toxic chemicals and chemical "fragrances".  Issues that can arise from exposure to synthetic fragrances and dyes are headaches, dizziness, sensitivities, coughing, vomiting, neurotoxicity, and even cancer.

It’s not just wearing clothing washed with dyes and fragrances that causes health concerns but also inhaling the synthetic chemicals that come from your dryer vent. Although multiple hazardous pollutants are released from your dryer, acetaldehyde and benzene are the two worst—both are known carcinogens.  

Not only do toxic laundry detergents have a big impact on your personal health, but it also has an even worse effect on the environment, polluting waterways and harming the aquatic life that lives there. 

And that’s just what we know so far. With increased use of harmful chemicals it could take years to know the full negative impacts from long-term use. 

There are times medications are critical to maintain our health but unfortunately many times over used or used improperly. Additives and chemicals in medical products can have negative impacts on our health and development and should be evaluated and utilized prudently.