This week Berena Wise is sharing…Everyday Products We Use In Our Homes That Have Toxic Effects On Our Families. And Some Healthier Alternatives for Your Consideration.
For several months I have been given (more than one) message, to rethink the foods I was eating, and to choose a healthier lifestyle, and to share these messages and the research with others.
I found, after adjusting my diet, which has been quite a challenge for me, especially ridding my diet of wheat, gluten, and my precious chocolate ( I am still working on that one). I was surprised that I was still experiencing allergy sensitivities, especially at home.
I began to research products commonly used in our homes that could be causing my sensitivities. I would love to share with you what I have found so far, in hopes that it will be of benefit to you and your families.
The average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors. While people are aware of the health risk caused by outdoor air pollution, few may consider that indoor air quality can also have a negative impact on their health. According to the EPA levels of indoor air pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor pollution levels. In fact indoor air pollutants are ranked among the top five environmental risks to public health.
Since we spend so much time indoors it is important to create a healthy, toxin-free indoor environment that is safe for everyone. Here is a list of toxic products you may like to consider removing from your home, plus some healthier alternatives.
- Non- Stick Cookware
Although the concept is appealing to most cooks, the hazards just aren’t worth the convenience. Nonstick coating is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which releases toxic gasses that are linked to cancer, organ failure, reproductive damage, and other health risks.
Healthier Cooking Options: Consider using stainless steel pans, cast iron or anodized aluminum, which is less reactive than regular aluminum.
- Conventional Cleaning Supplies
All-purpose cleaners frequently contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia, which is a very strong irritant that can cause liver and kidney damage, or bleach which can burn your skin and eyes, and irritate your lungs. Oven cleaners and drain cleaners can cause chemical burns and emit toxic fumes that harm your lungs.
Healthier Cleaning Options: Consider nontoxic cleaning products such as Seventh Generation, or make your own from ingredients around the house, such as baking soda and vinegar. There are other effective homemade cleaners using essential oils.
- Room Air Fresheners
As time passes more negative effects are associated with these incredibly toxic products. Whether they are solids, aerosols, and automatic sprayers. Air fresheners aggravate and trigger respiratory problems, reproductive problems, birth defects, and are now being linked to breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Healthier Options: Consider open windows, air cleaners, A wonderful room freshener is to simmer cinnamon and cloves on the stove. The whole house will smell like Christmas. Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle of distilled water.
- CFL Light Bulbs
People may appreciate the efficiency of these bulbs, as they use less electricity. But unless you plan on operating a hazardous waste dump in your home, avoid these as they contain mercury. If you do use these bulbs, they should be taken to a “special facility” or hazardous waste collection site when replaced.
Healthier Options: Consider sticking with the “old fashion” light bulb or LEDs till something better and safer comes along.
- Chemical Insecticides and Herbicides
Pests and weeds may be problematic, but not nearly as much as the problems created by their use. Round Up is known to create a host of physical ills including kidney and reproductive damage in lab mice. Bug sprays commonly contain cypermethrin, a known eye, skin and respiratory irritant; it is also known to have negative effects on the central nervous system.
Healthier Options: Consider peppermint castile soap for insects and straight vinegar as a weed killer.
- Flame Retardants
This is tough one, since flame-retardants are everywhere. They are used in cushions, mattresses, foam pillows, hair dryers, TV’s, computers, carpets, appliances, fabrics, even your telephone. The flame retardant used in mattresses, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) accumulates in blood, breast milk, fatty tissue and is linked to liver, thyroid and neuro-development issues. Since most people sleep an average of 6-8 hours a night, an organic mattress might be a good place to start. When you can.
Healthier Options: Consider replacing items one thing at a time, when your finances allow.
- Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
According to the EPA and MSDS there are numerous chemicals in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, to many too name. Many of these chemicals are linked to central nervous system disorders, upper respiratory tract infections, and various cancers and trigger asthmatic responses.
Healthier Options: Consider using wool dryer balls or spiked dryer balls, which fluff your clothes. Another option is to add a ½ cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment in your washer. The acidity level of vinegar neutralizes the laundry soap, allowing more residues to wash out in the rinse cycle. Clothes come out softer, and vinegar also removes any odor on clothes. A pouch made of muslin or cheese- cloth, filled with lavender is a wonderful idea. The whole room will smell great.
- Antibacterial Products
With the widespread use of antibiotics, we are seeing new “super-bugs” that are resistant to them. The Center for Disease Control states concern that these anti-bacterial products may be interfering with the immune systems of young children. There is also concern about the buildup of the pesticide Triclosan in the body, and in our water supplies.
Healthier Options: Consider washing your hands more often in plain soap and water.
- Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic is forever. In the U.S. only 2% of plastic bags are recycled, the other 98% end up in landfills or in our oceans.
Healthier Options: Consider reusable fabric bags. These are a great option as they are more stable than plastic bags.
- Plastic Bottles
Most plastic bottles are made with BPA, a chemical that mimics hormones that are harmful to the endocrine system. When exposed to heat, bottles will leach these chemicals at a faster rate into your water.
Healthier Options: Consider stainless steel or glass bottles.
- Scented Detergents
Almost all detergents contain a fragrance. Even those that are listed as unscented usually have a masking ingredient to cover the scent. 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances are made from petroleum products. Many are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and damage to lungs, brain, and nerves. Fragrances are not regulated by any government or health agency, to date. There is no law that requires fragrance ingredients to be put on product labels.
Healthier Options: Unscented laundry detergents such as Seventh Generation Free and Clear, Country Save Unscented or Planet Unscented. There are other good products on the market. Search out your favorite.
- Perfumes and Scented Soaps
As with scented detergents, 95% of the chemicals used in fragrances are made from petroleum products. Many are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and damage to lungs, brain, and nerves. Some chemicals commonly used in fragrances, such as toluene, are listed as hazardous waste worldwide. Fragrances are not regulated by any government or health agency, to date. There is no law that requires fragrance ingredients to be put on product labels.
Healthier Options: There are pure and natural soaps to choose from. Companies such as Baltimore Soaps, Karen’s Naturals, and Rose of Sharon Acres, make wonderful varieties of soaps to choose from. There are also many receipts for making home -made perfumes and soaps using essential oils and ingredients you may already have in your homes.
- Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMF’s)
What do cell phones, cell towers, Wi-Fi, smart meters, and other “smart” devices all have in common? They emit radiation, which no one wants to take seriously as having adverse health effects on humans. Medically, the adverse effects are called: “Non-thermal health effects.” For years, scientists have conducted research linking EM radiation to serious diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others. After an extensive review of 2,000+ such studies, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded EMFs “should be regarded as possible carcinogens.”
Personal Options: Limit your use of these devises. Use the speaker on your phone when you can. This keeps the phone off your face. Personally I carry a piece of Black Tourmaline with me at all times, and have a piece next to my computer. There are products on the market with Tourmaline and other stones made into them to help with frequencies. * Scientific studies are now proving that cell towers, etc. are affecting the germination of plant seeds. Placement of these towers should be regulated, so they are not built in or near crop growing areas.
This is a lot of information, but everyone needs to be aware of these health hazards that are all around us every day. We are never expected to change everything at one time. If we all can choose just one or two things at a time to make our environment cleaner and safer, this would be a huge shift for everyone.
This is the year of change. Let’s join together and make positive lasting changes that will be seen and felt by all.
Namaste,
Berena