The Dangerous Chemicals Lurking in Your Home

Plastics have pretty much taken over the world. They seemed like the perfect household solution because they were thought to be safe, unbreakable, and lightweight. They were used in cleaning and personal products, cosmetics, food containers, toys, office products, yard and garden products.

However, they’re far from being safe. We’re only beginning to understand the deadly link between health problems including thyroid issues, osteoporosis, reproductive disorders, diabetes, obesity, and dangerous chemical additives.They disrupt the endocrine system, settle in body fat, and upset the natural balance of our hormones.

You’ve probably seen products like canned sauces, water bottles, and even cash register receipts say BPA-free and wondered why. BPA is an industrial chemical often used in making food and beverage cans and bottles. When shopping, ask if the receipts are BPA-free. If not, say “no thanks”. If you must, keep them in an envelope, so they don’t touch other things in your purse.

Looking for items that say BPA-free is not enough. Because people have gotten wise, manufacturers have started replacing BPA with BPS. Some research says that it isn’t necessarily any safer.

Another harmful chemical found in many of the products we use daily is phthalates. Okay, you may wonder if this is really a word. Yes, it is, and it’s a dangerous one. It’s frequently found in cosmetics, nail polish, hair products, fragrances, and household solvents. Crazy as it sounds, manufacturers aren’t required to list them. They are often labeled “parfum” or “fragrance”.

PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) are what makes your food slide right out of the pan. Oh, we like that, but it comes with a cost. The very same chemical that keeps food from sticking will also stick to you by leaching through the food.

So, what can you do to avoid these endocrine disruptors?

STOP using plastic water bottles. Use glass or high quality stainless steel.
Choose organic food whenever possible.
Read labels on ALL products.
Don’t put plastic containers in the microwave.
Look for cosmetics and personal care products that are chemical-free.
Buy organic or natural alternative garden products.
Avoid buying food in cans.
Check out EWG.org for a list of the Dirty Dozen and other natural product alternatives.

It’s essential to our health to avoid products that contain harmful chemicals. Equally important is eating a diet of alkaline-rich fruit and vegetables and avoiding sugar and highly processed meats, oils, and grains to help the body detoxify naturally.

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