Learning how environmental toxins may be harming your health and how you can start reducing toxins in your home and products is a great way to start your eco-friendly and sustainable journey.
You've decided to work on getting better sleep and move around more (some call it exercise). That is Great! However, if you do not consider your home environment and surroundings then your missing out on removing toxins that can harm your body on a daily basis.
WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS?
Toxins can be anything that negatively affects health, from poisonous chemicals and chemical compounds to physical materials that disrupt biological processes. We call them toxins because they have the potential to cause harm to humans and other living beings.
The complexity of environmental toxins makes them difficult to categorize. We have listed below many known toxins. For a more detailed list of toxins and their origins feel free to visit Chemical Factsheets | National Biomonitoring Program | CDC .
Toxins in Water and Food
- Arsenic. Arsenic can enter the body through the skin or be breathed in as dust, but most arsenic gets into the body through ingestion of food or water.
- Atrazine. An herbicide used widely to kill weeds in both agricultural and residential settings, atrazine is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world. Linked to hormone disruption and birth defects, atrazine has long been banned in Europe.
- Dioxins. Byproducts of both natural processes (forest fires, volcanoes) and industrial incineration, dioxins are stored in animal fats and tissues. Although environmental regulations have significantly reduced dioxins’ prevalence, they remain a serious threat to human health and are linked to cancer and many other diseases.
- Lead. Also a risk for airborne and household exposures, lead contamination in drinking water usually comes from leaching in distribution or plumbing lines. Lead is responsible for the ongoing public health crisis in Flint, Michigan, where contaminated drinking water has exposed residents to dangerous levels of the neurotoxin.
- Mercury. Mercury is released into the air as industrial pollution falls into lakes, rivers, and oceans, where it is absorbed by fish. Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury, which is extremely toxic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides guidelines on fish consumption, particularly for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children.
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). Highly prevalent industrial chemicals, PFAs are used in products ranging from clothing to nonstick cooking surfaces due to their ability to resist heat and stains. Studies suggest PFAs may adversely affect human growth and reproduction, as well as liver, thyroid, and immune system function.
Household Toxins
- Asbestos. Linked to lung disease, asbestos mineral fibers are used in insulation and a variety of other building materials. Health risks associated with asbestos have led to a partial ban on its use in the U.S.
- BPA. Bisphenol A, a chemical used in the production of plastics, can leach into food from the coatings of food cans, plastic tableware, food storage containers, water bottles, and baby bottles. Some studies have suggested that BPA may affect hormone function.
- Phthalates. Phthalates are found in a wide range of household products, from shampoos and soaps to water bottles and cosmetics, and can be inhaled as vapor or absorbed through skin contact. Belief that some phthalates act as endocrine disruptors has resulted in their removal from children’s products.
- Radon. A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to EPA estimates.
- VOCs. Formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from many household products, including paints and solvents, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, pesticides, and building materials. VOCs can irritate eyes and the respiratory system, cause headaches and nausea, and damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Additionally, some VOCs are linked to cancer.
Air Toxins
- Cigarette smoke. Responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and 80 percent of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.
- Ground-level ozone. Although ozone in the upper layers of the atmosphere protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, ozone at ground level is a primary component of smog. Exposure to high concentrations of ozone can reduce lung function.
- Noxious gases. Resulting from pollution, excess amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide contribute to ozone formation and acid rain.
- Particulate matter. Solids such as black carbon and mineral dust mix with liquid droplets and are suspended in the air as particulate matter. Particulate matter can enter the air from many sources but is primarily emitted from power plants, manufacturing facilities, and motor vehicles. Particle pollution has been linked to heart conditions, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.
Some environmental toxins are naturally occurring, such as lead or arsenic found in soil. Most environmental toxins are man-made chemicals that are sprayed on crops or used in the manufacturing of products. These man-made chemicals are in products we use every day, from plastics and furniture, to cleaning sprays and personal care products, to food and food packaging, and everything in between.
THE HEALTH RISKS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Exposure to toxic air, water, soil, and chemical pollution is the largest environmental cause of premature death, according to the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution. GAHP estimates environmental toxins killed 8.3 million people globally in 2017. In the U.S., fine particulate air pollution alone results in respiratory infections, lung cancer, strokes, and cardiopulmonary disease that cause an estimated 100,000 premature deaths annually, according to an analysis published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in 2019.
The wisdom of limiting exposure to substances known or believed to cause cancer, disrupt hormone production, contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, or reduce birth rates is indisputable. In practical terms, however, efforts to do so face enormous challenges:
1. Deep dependence on the materials and energy sources associated with many toxins. Plastics are a critical component of countless goods; modern pesticides and fertilizers improve crop yields for a growing population dependent on finite arable land; and fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) still account for the vast majority of primary energy consumption.
2. Difficulty assessing environmental impact. While overwhelming evidence exists linking many environmental toxins to specific health risks and outcomes, quantifying existing impacts and predicting potential risks is difficult. Environmental regulations are unlikely to be enacted if studies are inconclusive or contradictory.
3. Financial and political interests. Because they provide employment and generate billions of dollars in corporate and tax revenue, industries associated with many toxins can wield enormous power and enjoy wide political support.
Without getting into all the unpleasant details, here are some of the health risks from toxic chemicals in your home and products:
- allergies
- asthma
- headaches
- ADHD/autism
- cardiovascular disease
- metabolism issues/obesity
- diabetes
- thyroid issues
- immune disorders
- cancer
- developmental abnormalities
- cognitive impairment
- fertility problems
- pregnancy risks
- accelerated puberty
- chronic fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- poor sleep
We hope you found this post informative and motivating. The great news is there are steps you can take right now to greatly reduce your family's exposure to toxic chemicals in your home and products!
Keep an eye out for future posts that help reduce your exposure in every room in your house (Outdoors too)
Good luck on your Journey! We would love to hear about it.