A Complete Guide to a Healthier Home

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The deeper you dig, the extra you discover so whereas I hope this isn’t the case, I believe it’s possible we’ll be including to this record over time. Primarily based on what science has discovered to date, right here’s a breakdown of essentially the most poisonous issues generally present in a family, why they matter for each our well being and the planet, and the place they have an inclination to cover:

PFAS (“Without end Chemical compounds”)

These are a big group of artificial chemical compounds used to make merchandise proof against water, grease, and stains. They don’t break down naturally, therefore the nickname “without end chemical compounds.”

PFAS accumulate in folks, wildlife, and the setting, contaminating waterways and soil. They’ve been linked to liver harm, immune system suppression, developmental points, and sure cancers.

Frequent family sources:

Non-stick cookware and bakeware (particularly older Teflon-coated pans)
Stain-resistant carpets, rugs, and fabric
Water-repellent outerwear
Quick-food wrappers and takeaway containers
Some cosmetics like basis, mascara (particularly waterproof mascara), and lipstick

If you happen to’re searching for extra, we did a podcast episode on without end chemical compounds which you’ll take heed to here.

VOCs (Risky Natural Compounds)

VOCs are chemical compounds that simply evaporate into the air at room temperature, usually giving off a noticeable odor. They contribute to indoor air air pollution and might react with daylight to create smog. Quick-term publicity may cause complications and respiratory irritation; long-term publicity is linked to liver, kidney, and nervous system harm.

Frequent family sources:

Paints, varnishes, and wooden finishes
Air fresheners, candles with artificial perfume
Cleansing merchandise
New furnishings made with particleboard or MDF (together with furnishings that we spend a LOT of time on like beds, cribs and couches)
Carpets and vinyl flooring

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical utilized in constructing supplies, furnishings, and family merchandise as a preservative or adhesive. It’s labeled as a human carcinogen (i.e. it causes most cancers to develop or helps most cancers develop). Publicity can also cause pores and skin rashes, respiratory points, and eye irritation. It off-gasses slowly over time, contributing to poor indoor air high quality.

Frequent family sources:

Plywood, particleboard, insulation, and MDF furnishings
Some textiles, particularly wrinkle-resistant materials
Sure paints, glues, and adhesives
Nail polish and hardeners
Preservatives in some medicines, cosmetics and cleansing merchandise like dishwashing liquid and material softener
Fertilizers and pesticides

Phthalates

Phthalates are a bunch of chemical compounds which can be used to make plastics versatile and to assist fragrances last more. They’re recognized endocrine disruptors, linked to reproductive and developmental points in each people and wildlife. Additionally they leach into soil and water, impacting ecosystems.

Frequent family sources:

PVC merchandise (bathe curtains, flooring, toys)
Private care merchandise with artificial perfume (lotions, shampoos, perfumes)
Meals packaging and cling wrap
Vinyl purses, raincoats, and equipment

Artificial Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances are lab-made scent compounds, usually containing undisclosed chemical blends – they are often any mixture of greater than 3,500 chemical compounds. They will embody poisonous chemical compounds together with phthalates and different allergens. These contribute to indoor air air pollution and might have an effect on respiratory well being and wildlife when washed into waterways.

Frequent family sources:

Air fresheners, scented candles, plug-in scented units
Laundry detergents and material softeners
Soaps, shampoos, and physique washes
Cosmetics and perfumes

Flame Retardants

Flame retardants are chemical compounds which can be added to supplies to scale back flammability. Many are persistent natural pollution (POPs) that construct up in people and wildlife, disrupting hormones and affecting mind improvement. They’ve additionally been linked to most cancers and immunotoxicity.

Frequent family sources:

Upholstered furnishings and mattresses (particularly older ones)
Carpets and carpet padding
Electronics and TV casings
Sleepwear (particularly for kids)
Constructing and building supplies

BPA (Bisphenol A)

BPA is a chemical utilized in ensuring plastics and epoxy resins. It’s one more endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive points, weight problems, and sure cancers. It might leach into food and drinks, particularly when heated. Quite a few merchandise now marketed to be “BPA-free” embody substitutes which can be also not safe.

Frequent family sources:

Polycarbonate water bottles and plastic meals containers (together with takeaway containers)
Canned meals linings
Takeaway espresso cups
Receipts (thermal paper)

Pesticides & Herbicides

Pesticides and herbicides are chemical compounds designed to kill pests and weeds. Nevertheless additionally they do harm to the pure environments the place they’re utilized. They’re dangerous to biodiversity, particularly pollinators (like bees). People who work with these chemical compounds are most uncovered to a spread of well being issues – they’re linked to cancer, reproductive hurt, and neurological results in people.

Frequent family sources (other than meals):

Garden and backyard therapies
Flea and tick collars or sprays for pets
Indoor insect sprays and baits

Meals sources:

Typical produce like fruit and greens can carry pesticide residues. The now well-known lists by EWG referred to as the The Soiled Dozen and the Clear Fifteen give a excessive degree information of the “dirtiest” contemporary produce (highest ranges of pesticide residues) and the “cleanest” which have the bottom quantity and are doubtlessly safer when shopping for typical.

Microplastics & Microfibers

Microfibers are a kind of microplastic. They’re basically tiny plastic particles shed from artificial supplies throughout use or washing. They pollute oceans and waterways, are ingested by wildlife (and us), and might carry poisonous chemical compounds on their surfaces.

Frequent family sources:

Artificial clothes (polyester, nylon, acrylic)
Rugs, carpets, and fabric
Cleansing cloths and sponges produced from artificial fibres

We cowl microfibers in depth right here: Microfiber Filters for Washing Machines: Why They Matter

Textile Chemical compounds & Finishes

Textiles – particularly clothes, bedding, and fabric – could be handled with chemical compounds together with formaldehyde, azo dyes, perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and flame retardants, a few of which we’ve lined above. The large use of polyester in clothing (round 80% of artificial fibers) implies that many of those chemical compounds are utilized in its manufacturing, notably for dyes. Polyester can be one of many main contributors to microfiber air pollution. Pesticides are extensively utilized in rising agricultural uncooked supplies like cotton, including one other layer of potential publicity.

Frequent sources:

Wrinkle-resistant or “easy-care” clothes and bedding
Stain- or waterproof materials (usually handled with PFAS)
Artificial materials dyed with azo dyes (nylon, polyester, acrylic)
Upholstery and carpets handled with flame retardants
Non-organic cotton, which can carry pesticide residues from cultivation

Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium)

These heavy metals are naturally occurring however turn into poisonous in excessive concentrations, usually by means of industrial use. They will harm the nervous system, kidneys, and mind. Lead is particularly dangerous to kids’s improvement.

Frequent family sources: