Toxins in Your Home - It's Time to Spring Clean!
We are used to cleaning the outside house, but the most important house to clean is yourself - your own house - which we never do. – Marina Abramovic
As we welcome the first day of spring, the inevitable spring cleaning comes to mind. We put away our winter clothes, purge storage of things that no longer work for us, and give the house a good head-to-toe scrubbing. But is the same done for the body?
Just as the house collects dust and dirt, so does the body. The “dust and dirt” I’m talking about here are the environmental toxins and chemicals you come into contact with every day. There are the obvious toxins, such as mercury, lead and arsenic. But did you know toxins can come from candles, carpeting, furniture, fabric softener, food containers, shower water and your food? Here are some other shocking facts :
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has 8,000 chemicals registered for daily use. Of those, only about 250 currently have testing to assess their safety.
Although DDT was banned in 1977, it is a persistent organic pollutant. What does this mean? It can take several decades to breakdown. In the meantime, it persists in our soil, and in our bodies.
The United States uses 18,000 pesticides and sprays 4.5 billion (yes, Billion) pounds of pesticides per year. Only 1% of these pesticides make it to the targeted pest which means 99% of pesticides sprayed end up somewhere else.
The amount of pesticides used on crops in the United States doubles every 10 years. All for naught, however, because insects become immune over time and the pesticides become ineffective.
There is a long list of toxic compounds found in everyday life. They are found in:
Soil and dirt we track through our home.
“Microwavable safe” plastic containers, cling wrapped foods, and any plastic storage containers, whether they are heated or not. They do not need to melt to release toxins and contaminate food.
Watercooler jugs and canned foods not listed as BPA free.
Teflon and non-stick pans.
Carpeting, particle board furniture and cabinetry, cushions, upholstery fabric and paint. These all off-gas toxins for years.
Cleaning supplies and dry-cleaned clothes.
Flame-retardant products.
Mold.
Air fresheners, scented candles, detergents and fabric softeners, soaps and deodorants.
Cosmetics.
Shower water treated with chlorine.
Non-organic produce.
Non-organic meat and dairy products.
Farm raised fish.
Large fish such as tuna, swordfish and shark.
Cigarette smoke and tailpipe exhaust.
As you can see, we are easily surrounded by chemicals every day! The problem is that most of these chemicals are known neurotoxins, carcinogens, hormone disruptors and respiratory irritants. A healthy body can work hard at cleansing the body of these toxins. However, if health is compromised or the liver cannot keep up with the constant insults, toxins will start to accumulate in the body.
If toxins are allowed to accumulate, it can lead to many health issues including:
Allergies and Asthma
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid conditions
Bone marrow cancers such as lymphomas and leukemia
Chemical sensitivities and extreme sensitivity to odors
Chronic fatigue
Cognitive problems, poor memory and brain fog
Diabetes
Digestive issues such as bloating, burping, excessive gas, food allergies, diarrhea and abdominal pain
Fibromyalgia
Infertility
Muscle pain, weakness and fatigue
Numbness and tingling
Parkinson’s
Persistent infections, colds and flus
Skin conditions such as hives, eczema and itching
Vertigo
Weight gain and inability to lose weight ,
This is not meant to scare you and send you running for the hills to live in a straw house! This is to help you realize where toxins hide in your life and what you can do to reduce your exposure.
In truth, inside your home can be more toxic than the outdoors. Here are some tips to reduce your toxins at home:
Take your shoes off at the door. Not only does it reduce toxins tracked in from outside, it makes cleaning the house much easier.
Swap plastic storage containers for glass. This includes purchasing non-heated foods like olive oil and milk. Glass is a great non-toxic, microwavable storage option.
Choose only canned foods listed as BPA free.
Replace non-stick pans with cast iron or stainless steel.
When upgrading your home, think about wood flooring, real wood for furniture and cabinetry, and organic upholstery fabric.
Switch to “green” cleaning products.
If you absolutely need to dry-clean clothes, let them air out in your car or outside for 48 hours.
Remove any mold from your home.
Remove air fresheners from your home and switch to unscented detergents and fabric softeners, soaps and deodorants.
Choose organic for your cosmetics.
Get a shower filter and water filter.
Choose organic produce when possible.
Choose organic meat and dairy products and wild caught smaller fish like trout and salmon.
If you smoke, quit, or at the very least smoke outside.
This is a lot I know! But making small incremental changes to your environment can drastically reduce your exposure to toxins.
What about the toxins you already have in your body? Stay tuned for my next blog…we will delve into how the body detoxifies itself and the important roles the liver and elimination pathways play in detoxification.
Resources
Clean, Green and Lean, Dr. Walter Crinnion
7 Day Detox Miracle, Peter Bennett, ND