In our daily lives, we are exposed to a startling number of chemicals from the pesticides sprayed on the produce we eat and pollutants in the water we drink to the industrial chemicals found in the air we breathe.  Although we do our best to reduce the amount of chemical exposure we experience in our day-to-day lives by purchasing organic produce or filtering our drinking water, harmful chemicals still find a way to weasel their way into our bodies. Pretty scary, right? It kind of makes you want to wear a HAZMAT suit every time you leave the house. Unfortunately, it’s not just what’s outside your house that’s a problem.

You spend most of your time at home (and indoors), which means that is also where you and your family are the most vulnerable. There are over 80,000 chemicals used in everyday items in your home such as soap, shampoo, furniture, paint, plastics and even cleaning supplies. Roughly 1,300 of those chemicals are considered endocrine disruptors that interfere with your natural hormones. More than 70 of these chemicals are linked to cancer and the rest can have profound implications on our health, especially when you consider the fact that it only takes 26 seconds for the chemicals found in the products you use on a daily basis to find their way into your bloodstream. So, where do you want to wear the HAZMAT suit now?

The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to reduce and prevent exposure to these chemicals once you know what to watch out for. That’s why we created a list of five of the most harmful chemicals commonly found in the home. By replacing products that contain these ingredients and finding healthier alternatives, you can help make your home a healthier, safer place for you and your family.

TRICLOSAN

What is it?

Triclosan and Triclocarban – Triclosan is a chlorinated aromatic compound with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Where is it found?

Commonly found in hand soaps, toys, deodorants, toothpastes and other cleaning and personal care products.

What health issues has it been linked to?

Skin irritation and allergic reactions, hay fever, higher incidence of food allergy, endocrine dysfunction, and development of resistant organisms (germs that don’t react/respond to disinfectants)

ALKYLPHENOLS

What are they?

Alkylphenols are widely used industrial chemicals that act as detergents or surfactants. They are added to cosmetics, paints, pesticides, detergents and cleaning products.

Where are they found?

Detergents, pesticides, cleaning products, hair care products, personal care products and lubricants.

What health issues are they linked to?

Toxic to wildlife, may harm hormone system via endocrine disruption and possibly linked to breast cancer. 

BISPHENOL A (BPA)

What is it?

BPA is a chemical (often used in plastics) that mimics estrogen in the body, but is used to make common synthetics:

• Polycarbonate: clear, rigid, shatter-resistant plastic found in a wide variety of consumer products (food and drink containers)
• Epoxy resins: used in industrial adhesives and high-performance coatings (lines most of the 131 billion food and beverage cans made in the U.S. annually)

Where is it found?

Commonly found in the linings of food cans, plastic products and flame retardants.

What health issues is it linked to?

BPA has been linked to everything from breast and others cancers to reproductive problems, obesity, early puberty and heart disease, and according to government tests, 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies!

DIOXIN

What is it?

Dioxin is a highly toxic compound used in herbicide production and paper bleaching.

Where is it found?

The ongoing industrial release of dioxin has meant that the American food supply is widely contaminated. Products including meat, fish, milk, eggs and butter are most likely to be contaminated, but you can cut down on your exposure by eating fewer animal products.

What health issues is it linked to?

Dioxins are very long-lived, build up both in the body and in the food chain, are powerful carcinogens and can also affect the immune and reproductive systems.

POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDEs)

What are they?

PBDEs are chemicals that are often used as flame-retardants in both consumer and industrial products.

What are they found?

They are commonly found in furniture, electronics, and plastics.

What health issues are they linked to?

PBDEs have been linked to neurobehavioral conditions in children, low fertility in women, breast cancer and thyroid problems.

The list above represents just five of the most toxic chemicals hiding in your home, so it’s no small wonder that we’re facing the largest unnatural disaster in human history. Something must be done – the health of us and our families are at stake.

We encourage you to watch this compelling, short video, Telling the Toxic Truth, and then do what we moms do best – share it with your friends and family! Ask them to share it with the people they care about to educate their families about the risks associated with the continued use of these harmful chemicals.

By working together, sharing the truth and providing resources to help families find safer, healthier alternatives, we can make the home a healthier place – one family at a time. 

This article is brought to you by The Healthy Home Company.