Get Rid of These12 Household Toxins

We are continually being exposed to toxins.  These chemicals  enter our bodies through our lungs, our stomachs and our skin.  The more we reduce this toxic load, the better our health should be.  We have no idea how these thousands of manmade chemicals, that were not even in existence a few generations ago, interact with each other and our bodies, to negatively impact our health.   Here are 12 toxins to consider reducing or eliminating, along with healthier alternatives.

1. Coal Tar Driveway Sealant - They contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, which studies suggest can be toxic, causing cancer or other genetic mutations in your body. When rainwater and other precipitation hits your driveway, the toxic chemicals run off into your yard and into your local drinking water supply.  

Better alternative: Gravel and other porous materials are best for driveways because they allow rainwater to sink into the ground, where it gets filtered and doesn't inundate water treatment plants. But if you do seal blacktop, pick an asphalt sealant and stay away from any product that has coal tar in its name (or products simply called "driveway sealant"). Lowe's and Home Depot have already banned the bad stuff, but smaller hardware stores may still carry them.

2. Synthetic Pesticides - Chemicals that kill weeds and insects all fit under this category and should be avoided both inside and outside of your house. Researchers have linked these pesticides to various forms of cancer, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Insecticides have also been connected to brain damage in kids.

Better alternative: Combating an indoor bug problem is as simple as cleaning up crumbs, sealing food in containers and using wood shims and a caulking gun to fill pest entry points. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers damage the health of the soil and create a lawn that allows for little rainwater absorption, which contributes to flooding. Try replacing some sod with plants native to your area; they don't require as much water and maintenance.  If you're set on the idea of a perfect grassy lawn, practice proven organic lawn-care techniques, such as mowing with the deck set at 3 inches high.

3. Antibacterial soap - The antimicrobial chemical triclosan, which is used in some toothpastes and antibacterial soaps, is believed to disrupt thyroid function and hormone levels in people. When it mixes into wastewater, it can cause sex changes in aquatic life.  Health experts believe that overuse of this and other antibacterial chemicals are promoting the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibacterial treatment.

Better alternative: Good old-fashioned soap and warm water will kill just as many germs.  If you must use a hand sanitizer, pick one that doesn't list triclosan, triclocarban (another related antibacterial chemical) or other chemicals described as "antimicrobial" or "antibacterial" on the label.

4. Synthetic Fragrances - Fragrance may be the most common type of chemical in your house. Used in laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, air fresheners, deodorizers, shampoos, hair sprays, gels, lotions, sunscreens, soaps, perfumes, powders and scented candles as well as in many other products you may not even know about.  The term "fragrance" or "parfum" on personal-care-product labels can be a cover for hundreds of harmful chemicals known to be carcinogens, endocrine disrupters and reproductive toxicants, even at low levels.

Better alternative: Go the unscented route whenever possible, especially with soaps and detergents. Avoid any kind of air freshener or deodorizer, which add hazardous chemicals to the air that we breathe.  Try to ventilate indoor air and use  some baking soda, which absorbs odors.  

5. Harsh Cleaning Products - We contaminate our air with harsh chemicals, some of which are known to cause cancer--to "clean" our homes. Ammonia can trigger asthma attacks and harsh oven cleaners and drain openers can cause respiratory damage or burn your skin that comes in contact with them.

Better alternative: Use ecofriendly cleaning products that have natural ingredients. Better yet, save tons of money by making your own homemade cleaning concoctions, including:

• A general cleaning solution of one part white vinegar and nine parts water will kill 90% of bacteria and many spores. Spray it on and let it dry to a nice shine on its own. You can buy distilled white vinegar for about $2.00 a gallon, which can make 10 gallons of cleaning solution. When you're finished using a vinegar cleaning solution, dump it down your garbage disposal or toilet for bonus odor control.

• For a window/glass cleaner, mix one part white vinegar with one part water, and spray. You even can use newspapers instead of paper towels to wipe the glass clean and save money.

• When cleaning in the kitchen after prepping meat, use hot, soapy water first (we like simple, unscented castile soaps) and then follow with the vinegar-water solution. For extra germ-killing power, following the vinegar spraying with a spritz of hydrogen peroxide.

6. Nonstick Cookware and Bakeware - When you're cooking with nonstick pots and pans, you're essentially baking on plastic. That nonstick surface can be made from a synthetic material known as perfluoroalkyl acid, a class of chemicals that have been linked to ADHD, high cholesterol, and thyroid disease. They're also suspected of contributing to infertility.

Better alternative: Opt for safer cookware , such as non-toxic, non-stick cookware, cast iron, glass or stainless steel.  

Better alternative: Corn, soy, and canola are common crops that have been genetically engineered to withstand heavy applications of Roundup (or other glyphosate-containing chemicals) and foods containing these ingredients tend to contain higher levels of Roundup than other crops do. To avoid genetically engineered (GE) foods and Roundup in your food, buy organic.

8. Vinyl - Some environmental health groups have dubbed vinyl the "poison plastic," due to its harmful production process and its effects on humans. Vinyl is laced with phthalates, chemical plastic softeners linked to hormone disruption, stunted growth, obesity, and other health problems, as well as low IQs.

Better alternative: When it's time to replace flooring in your home, opt for wood, bamboo, or cork that's Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or for real linoleum, instead of vinyl. Avoid plastic shower-curtain liners.  Try hemp or organic cotton shower curtains.  Phthalates also lurk in anything with an artificial fragrance, including candles and many personal-care products.

9. VOCs - Nasty indoor air-polluting culprits are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which are especially high in the kitchen, the basement, or even the laundry room. Scented, petroleum-based laundry detergents contain high levels of VOCs. These hazardous chemicals are linked to asthma and in some instances, even cancer.  Pressed wood and particleboard cabinets and other furniture are big emitters of the VOC formaldehyde in the home.

Better alternative: Choose unscented, plant-based detergents, or go old-school and use castile soap or washing soda and borax to clean your clothing. For new paint projects, choose readily available no-VOC paint and avoid storing paint in your garage or basement, because fumes can escape even tightly closed lids and enter your home. If you have leftover paint, take it to a waste-collection facility for recycling, or donate it to neighbors or a charity. Avoid plywood and particleboard when buying new household furnishings and keep VOCs contained by sealing any plywood or particleboard furniture with a product like AFM Safecoat Safe Seal.

10. Flame Retardants - Flame-retardant chemicals can be found in electronics, carpets, carpet padding, and furniture foam. They've been associated with a wide range of health problems, including infertility, thyroid problems, learning disabilities, and hormone disruption. When these flame retardants do burn, they release higher levels of carbon monoxide and soot, the two leading causes of fire-related deaths, than non-treated materials.

Better alternative: When shopping for new furniture, call the manufacturer and ask if it contains flame retardants. If you see a tag that says "complies with California Technical Bulletin 117," avoid the furniture because California requires all upholstered furniture to be flame retardant.  Most furniture sold in the U.S. is made to comply with California law. Since flame retardants and other household toxins make their way into household dust, you should also invest in a good vacuum with minimal emissions. Environmental Working Group lists electronics that are free of flame retardants.

11. Canned Food - Bisphenol A, or BPA lines most cans.  It is a hormone-disrupting chemical linked to male infertility, diabetes, heart disease, aggressive behavior in children and other ills. The chemical is used in also used in many plastic bottles.  Some manufacturers are phasing the chemical out of their cans, it's not clear that the replacements are totally safe either. In 2010, scientists discovered that we absorb BPA from cash-register receipts through our skin.

Better alternative: Opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bypass cans as often as possible. Don't store food or beverages in plastic containers. 

12. Dry-Cleaning Chemicals - Sure, it's convenient to drop your clothing off with a dry cleaner, but the cleaning chemical of choice in this country remains perchloroethylene, also known as PCE, or perc. This chemical is classified a probable carcinogen and is linked to kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage. Although many states and cities are phasing out perc, it's still among the most widely used dry-cleaning chemicals.

Better alternative: You can find "green" or "organic" dry cleaners that use healthier alternatives.  Buy clothing that can be washed in a washing machine or by hand. 

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