You are surrounded by chemicals and carcinogens on a daily basis. And you may not even be aware of it. Things like perfume, air fresheners, household cleaners, antiperspirants, cosmetics, nail polish, and bath products all pose serious health risks.
The average American uses 25 gallons of toxic products in their homes annually.
- Cancer rates in 1900 were 1 in 8,000.
- Cancer rates in 2013 were 1 in 2.
- 150 chemicals in most US homes have been inked to allergies, cancer, birth defects and other
- No health information is known for 80% of the chemical in commerce.
Make-Up, Perfume, Bath Products Personal care products like makeup, lotions, deodorant, fingernail polish, hair color, and even baby shampoo may contain chemicals that have been linked to everything from reproductive complications to cancer. Choose natural, clean versions from companies that don’t use things like parabens (preservatives) and a whole host of petroleum-derived ingredients.
Buy products that are “fragrance free”. Perfumes are made up of hundreds of chemicals.
Stop using anti-bacterial soaps, toothpaste, deodorant and mouthwash. The American Medical Association says it’s prudent to avoid anti-bacterials which are contributing to Super-Bugs. Soap and water gets the job done without harming you, your kids, or the environment.
Home & Laundry Cleaners Buy products from companies that voluntarily disclose their ingredients. And don’t be afraid of DIY; there are many effective and safe cleaners that can be made out of non-toxic household staples like baking soda, plant-based dish soap, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide.
Stop buying dryer sheets with chemicals for the fragrance. Use wool dryer balls, to prevent static, with a few drops of essential oil for a fresh smell.
Air Fresheners As far as air fresheners go, I recommend using essential oils, in a spray or diffuser, instead of the many air fresheners that are nothing but chemicals. There are many essential oil recipes on the internet.
Replace the chemical air fresheners with living plants that clean the air. Why invest in expensive electrical air purifiers when you could purchase a few types of houseplants to clean and filter the air naturally and inexpensively? All indoors plants (flowering or not) are able to purify indoor air to some degree through their normal photosynthesis processes. But some were found to be more beneficial than others in removing harmful household toxins, even removing 90% of chemicals in the air in only twenty-four hours!
Candles Candle wax is made from petroleum-derived paraffin, petroleum is a well known carcinogen and air pollutant. When burning they release the same toxins as diesel fuel.
- They are scented with synthetic fragrances, also derived from petroleum. Synthetic fragrances contain hormone-disrupting chemicals known as phthalates.
- Candle wicks are often made with metals like tin, zinc, and even lead.
- Soot is the result of incomplete combustion of petroleum based fuels.
Bees wax candles are the best alternative. These actually clean your air, rather than polluting it, by producing negative ions. They smell sweet and fragrant on their own but can also be scented with essential oils.
Check for Water Damage and Hidden Moisture Mold can be found thriving in all sorts of places. From foods that have gone bad to a damp towel that never dried, mold can live anywhere there’s moisture. Certain types of mold are not harmful, however, sometimes mold can be toxic and make you very ill.
Since mold loves moisture, it can be found wherever there is (or was) water. A bathroom with low ventilation, a humid basement, the cracks of a shower stall, and the area under a leaky sink are all common areas where mold may be found. However, mold may lurk in places you cannot see. Even your coffee maker can be full of mold.
If you have a pipe behind your wall that is leaking, mold could be growing and thriving right behind your drywall. A leaking roof above a well-sealed ceiling could lead to an upper crawlspace covered in mold and spores. Another place mold may lurk is behind or beneath large appliances (fridges, ovens, washing machines, etc.).
Radon & Paint If your house was built before 1978, check for lead paint. If you’re in an area where radon is a concern, test for that as well.
There are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint. Water based paint and natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax-based wood finishes are other good alternatives.
Flame Retardant Research has shown that certain flame-retardant chemicals (halogen-based flame retardants) actually increase the amounts of toxic carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide gas released into the air during a fire. Inhalation of these gasses, not burns, is actually the leading cause of death in fires.
About 75 percent of California residents have flame-retardant chemicals in their bodies, according to a late 2014 study. Many of them had no less than six different kinds, including one (chlorinated tris, or TDCIPP) that was phased out of children’s pajamas in the 1970s.
Upholstered foam furniture, mattresses, carpet and carpet padding and drapes made prior to 2005 are likely to be toxic.
70% to 80% of children’s clothing, cribs, mattresses, strollers and car seats may contain flame retardants. This is especially concerning in light of new research showing flame-retardant chemicals may lead to attention problems in children.
Look for organic and “green” building materials, carpeting, baby items, mattresses, and upholstery, which will be free from these toxic chemicals and help reduce your overall exposure. Furniture products filled with cotton, wool, or polyester tend to be safer than chemical-treated foam; some products also state that they are “flame-retardant free.”
Replace Non-Stick Cookware Get this stuff out of your kitchen. Now. Studies have linked the perfluorinated chemical (PFC) typically used to make pots and pans stick resistant to cancer and infertility. Replace nonstick cookware with safer materials like cast iron, enamel coated cast iron, and stainless steel.
Filter Your Water Chlorine, fluoride, medication, toxins and chemicals are in our public drinking water. Filtered water unlike tap water or direct underground water goes through several stages of filtration. This means, there is no dirt present in it which is otherwise present in the direct tap water which flows through rusty & dirty pipes passing through gutters. The filtration process removes bacteria and eliminates stench & bad odor. Therefore, this improves the quality by a great deal and your health as well.
Use Natural Herbicide and Pesticides If you eat organic to minimize ingesting pesticide residue, why spray poison in your kitchen or garden? Say goodbye to your exterminator and rely on natural pest solutions combined with preventative measures instead. Cancel the chemical lawn treatment service. Pesticides have been linked to a range of health problems, including asthma, hyperactivity and behavior problems, cancer, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders, and compromised brain development. Removing your shoes at the door will decrease the amount of pesticides you track into your home.
You have the power to heal yourself, it is your birthright. And it is my mission to help you learn the many ways available to you.