Sneaky toxins in your home
Believe it or not, your home is a breeding ground for toxins. Toxins are hidden everywhere, from your cleaning products and kitchen appliances to your cosmetics. Today we’ll be talking about where toxins are found, what to look out for, how toxins can affect your health, and non-toxic products we love!
Where are toxins found in your home?
The home is supposed to be a safe place, but toxins can easily sneak their way in impacting your health. Most household products we buy from the store are packed with toxic chemicals and contaminants. Unfortunately, in the United States, there is minimal regulation of these products, which leaves it up to us to make educated choices so we can decrease our overall toxin load.
First place to take a look – your kitchen! It’s where we spend so much of our time (especially now being home during COVID) and is also where we eat, which means increased exposure.
In the kitchen, sneaky sources of toxins include:
- Pots and pans (nonstick pans contain PFAS)
- Food cans (BPAs, and can linings in general)
- Plastics (contain BPAs & BPS, Phthalates, and PVC)
- Expired spices (should be replaced at least yearly)
- Rancid oils (make sure they are stored with the cap tightly on in a cool dark place)
- Tap water (some better than others! You can check yours out here)
- Supplements and powders (unregulated by the FDA, go with trusted brands!)
- Home Cleaning products (phthalates, ammonia, chlorine, etc)
Next up – your bathroom! Unfortunately it is just as much of a culprit for toxins, especially because many of the products found here are used on our skin!
In the bathroom, sneaky sources of toxins include:
- Lipstick
- Body lotions
- Face makeup
- Body and face wash
- Perfumes
- Candles
- Laundry Detergent
- Mold (Yes, even in new homes, this can be an issue! It was for me!)
This can definitely be a bit overwhelming as it may cover almost everything in your makeup bag and more. The good news is you can start super small and build up over time! A tip I always give clients is that when you finish one cosmetic product, replace it with a non-toxic version. This way, you don’t waste makeup and money. I’ve included some of my favorite clean makeup brands below for you to reference!
The impact of toxins on your health
Now that you are aware of what products to look at, let’s get into the impact of these products on your health.
Household cleaners have been shown to have widespread effects on the body. When you are spraying a cleaning solution or wiping down your countertops, you are incidentally inhaling tiny air droplets of these cleaning solutions. Short-term this can disrupt your hormones resulting in imbalances. Long-term, it can result in numerous health concerns such as lung damage causing altered function, a triggered immune system causing allergies, the cause of asthma or exacerbated symptoms, dermatitis, and may present as allergy/cold symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, teary eyes, cough, and congestion. The products listed above are likely to have these health-disrupting effects so be careful!
Cosmetics share the same concerns where many toxic chemicals used in the United States have been banned by the European Union and many other nations. While some stores like Whole Foods have taken action and banned many toxic chemicals from their shelves, it is important to know what’s in your products. The products listed above are likely to have the toxic chemicals listed below, and more so be on the lookout!
Twelve toxic ingredients in cosmetics to look out for are:
- Formaldehyde and Paraformaldehyde (a carcinogen – cancer-causing)
- Methylene Glycol (a type of formaldehyde)
- Quaternium 15 (a type of formaldehyde)
- Mercury (may cause damage to kidneys and the nervous system)
- Dibutyl and diethylexyl phthalates (disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system)
- Isobutyl and isopropyl parabens (disrupt hormones and damage the reproductive system)
- The long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS (which have been linked to cancer)
- M- and o-phenylenediamine (commonly used in hair dies which irritate and sensitize the skin, damage DNA and can cause cancer)
Regrettably, this list of toxic chemicals is not even close to covering them all. The good news is there are companies committed to being non-toxic for your health and wellbeing.
Cleaning and beauty brands we love
Below you will find a list of brands we love ranging from cleaning, kitchen, and beauty products. These brands all have your health in mind, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll likely fall in love with them.
Cosmetics:
- Ilia Mascara (or any of their products!)
- Bite Beauty Lipstick
- Kora Organics
- Beautycounter
- SAIE
- RMS Bronzer (or any of their products!)
- Kosas
- Ursa Major
- Native Deodorant
- NOW foods Avocado Face Oil (or any of their products!)
Hair:
Candles:
Cleaning Products:
Pots and Pans:
Other Kitchen Items:
A great resource is the environmental working group (EWG). Their website and app have tons of info on household products, giving you direction on which products to grab and which to stay clear of.
The Bottom Line
Many household products can be filled with toxic chemicals and disruptive to your health. Eliminating these products is of benefit to your health and wellbeing, and there are a handful of non-toxic companies doing a great job!
Do you think you’re suffering from the effects of toxins? Click here to work with us!
