Should you detox your home environment? Is that even possible?
Most of you are familiar with the concept of detoxifying your body to improve and maintain optimal health and wellness. I believe it is also essential to detox our home environment as you may not be aware that your home is one of the greatest sources of toxins.
These toxins come in the form of dust and dust mites, bacteria, moulds, chemicals from cleaning products, personal care products and cosmetics; air fresheners and fragrance candles, flame retardants and formaldehyde from mattresses and furnishings; off gassing and fumes from floor coverings, paints; gas heating and air conditioning systems; pesticides and toxic chemicals used in weed killers and pest treatments which end up in our food. Not to mention electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices including wireless routers, iPad, computers, mobile phones, cordless phones, baby monitors and microwave ovens.
Chemicals Found in Our Environment
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a great organisation in the USA committed to educating people about toxins in our environment. They recently listed the top cancer causing chemicals found in our environment. These include:
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Bishenol A (BPA) a type of industrial chemical used to make plastics that are used in food and beverage containers and the linings of most food and beverage cans. They are also found on most receipts from the store.
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Atrazine one of the most highly used herbicides sprayed mainly on corn.
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Organophosphate Pesticides used on fruits and vegetables to target the nervous system of insect pests.
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Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) widely found in nail polish until 2006. Still found in soft and flexible plastics such as shower curtains, rain coats, food wraps and bowls.
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Lead harms almost every organ in the body and is linked to lowered IQ, miscarriages, kidney and nervous system damage and hormonal disruption.
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Mercury is toxic to the brain, kidneys, liver, heart and nervous system. It is still widely found in the environment in vaccinations, power saving light bulbs and seafood, particularly larger sized fish such as tuna, shark and sword fish.
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PFC’s (Polyflourochemicals) widely used to make water, grease and stain repellent coatings. They are found in gore tech clothing, furniture, non stick cookware including, utensils and fry pans, takeaway containers and microwave popcorn bags.
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Phthalates are common industrial chemicals used in PVC plastics to make vinyl toys as well as solvents, synthetic fragrances and cosmetics. Diethlyhexyl Phthalate (DEHP) are the most commonly used class of phthalates that may be associated with alterations in thyroid hormones.
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Triclosan is an ingredient found in many liquid hand and dishwashing soaps as well as many personal care products.
There are many different ways in which you can detoxify your environment. Check out Tips for a Healthier Environment to help you to detox your home environment.
