Today I’m excited to share my Cheat Sheet for information about toxic products that we likely are using everyday.

The information I’ve provided you comes from three main resources; www.ewg.org, www.mercola.com, and www.cdc.gov.  They’re all great resources but for ease of finding great household cleaners, makeup, personal care items and food you’ll want to check out www.ewg.org.  They’ll provide you many tips and also provide you ratings for all products so you may select the ones that best serve your needs and your body!

Here is your Everyday Toxins Cheat Sheet:

BPA – bisphenol A

• BPA is a synthetic estrogen
• Easily breaks down, leaches into food, liquids, etc.

Found in:

• Plastic bottles
• Plastic storage containers
• #7 recycle
• Baby bottles (many have removed BPA)
• Cans (epoxy made with BPA, easily breaks down, leach into food)
• receipts

Effects:

• Endocrine disruptor!
• Cancer
• Infertility
• Early onset puberty
• Diabetes

Solutions:

• Limit/avoid canned goods or use only ones that say BPA free
• Use glass/aluminum water bottles (better for environment to reuse + BPA free)
• Use glass storage containers (mason jars, glass dishes)
• DO NOT put plastics in dishwasher or microwave: break down faster = leaching more BPA chemical into food
• Use slow cooker for meals

ATRAZINE

• A synthetic compound used as an agricultural herbicide.
• Used as a weed killer
• Mostly used on corn produced in US
• It’s the #1 common chemical contaminant found in ground water in US
• Banned in Europe & Switzerland

Found in:

• Herbicide
• Corn
• Water
• Processed foods = lots of corn = atrazine

Effects:

• Endocrine disruptor
• Breast tumors
• Delayed puberty
• Prostate inflammation
• Prostate cancer
• Decreased immune function

Solution:

• Buy organic produce (especially corn!)
• Avoid processed foods (many have corn in them!)
• Use a water filter certified to remove atrazine (ewg.org)

PHTHALATES

• There are signals in our body that trigger cell death
• About 50 billion cells die off daily
• Pthalates trigger the “death inducing signals” in testicular cells = they die off earlier than they should

Found in:

• Plastic food containers
• Childrens toys
• Plastic wrap made from PVC (#3 recycle label)
• Personal care products that say “added fragrance” = hidden phthalates

Effects:

• Hormone changes
• Lower sperm count
• Birth defects in male reproductive system
• Diabetes
• Thyroid irregularities

Solution:

• Use glass containers
• Use personal care items that are phthalate free
• Check toys and labeling: research companies and find toys free of phthalates
• Use aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap for storage & never heat the plastic wrap!

PFCS:  Perflourinated Chemicals

• 99% Americans have these in their bodies!!
• PFOA (form of PFCS) = completely resistant to biodegradation = even though banned now it’ll show up forever.
• Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) are organofluorine compounds that have an ability to make products stain, grease, and water resistant, and are popular for their non-stick and stain-repellant uses

Found in:

• Nonstick cookware
• Microwave popcorn bags
• Fast food and candy wrappers
• Scotchguard
• Teflon
• Fire Retardant fabrics
• Water

Effects:

• Decreased sperm quality
• Low birth weight
• Kidney disease
• Thyroid dysfunction
• High cholesterol
• Preeclampsia
• Liver dysfunction
• Immunotoxicity: defined as adverse effects on the functioning of the immune system that result from exposure to chemical substances
• Endocrine disruption
• Fertility issues
• Developmental delays

Solution:

• Skip the nonstick
• Use stainless steel cookware
• Avoid water and stain resistant fabrics (couches, carpets, clothing, etc)

GLYCOL ETHERS: 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE), methoxydiglycol (DEGME)

• EGBE is the most common
• Grease cutting, common solvent

Found in:

• Paints
• Cleaning Supplies
• Brake Fluid
• Cosmetics
• Green- cleaning products!!
• Perfume
• Soap

Effects:

• Blood abnormalities
• Lower sperm count
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Possible liver/kidney damage

Solution:

• Watch for these ingredients in the label
• Do your research
• Don’t always have to list all the ingredients, so try to go the most natural route possible

PARABENS

• Long chain and short chain
  • Long chain more disruptive
    • Propyl
    • Isopropyl
    • Butyl
    • Isobutyl
  • Short chain less disruptive
    • Methyl
    • Ethyl
    • Fewer associated health risks
  • Acts as a weak synthetic estrogen
  • Can alter hormone signaling
  • Parabens are artificial preservatives: control bacteria and mold, extends shelf life

Found in:

• Snack foods
• Preservative in cosmetics
• Preservative in body wash
• Preservative in lotion
• Face/skin cleanser
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Sunscreen
• Deodorant/antiperspirant
• Shave gel
• Toothpaste

Effects:

• Decreased sperm count
• Decreased fertility
• Hormone disruption

Solution:

• Organic whole foods
• Use products that are free of parabens

MUSKS: “fragrance”

• Musks are fragrances used in products
• Formeldahyde is also found in sprays & wick deodorizers = carcinogen!

Found in:

• Perfume
• Soap
• Air fresheners
• Detergents
• Fabric softeners
• Cleaning products

Effects:

• Absorb through skin (into blood stream = more risk than if digested)
• Inhaled
• Ingested
• Reproductive problems
• Altered the cell wall in animals = easier for toxic substances to enter= poisons build up = concerning for humans!!

Solution:

• Fragrance free cosmetics
• Choose products that do not list “fragrance”
• No requirement for the Companies to list fragrance so use your discretion
• Avoid air fresheners; use essential oils to add fragrance to a room

SLS: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

• Goes through our skin = more damage than if digested
• Used in animal testing to irritate skin before skin products are tested

Found in:

• Cleaners
• Cosmetics
• Shampoo
• Hair color
• Toothpaste
• Body wash
• Laundry detergent
• Bath oil and salts

Effects:

• Irritation skin and eyes
• Organ toxicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Hemotoxicity
• Cellular changes
• Possible mutations and cancer

Solution:

• Avoid SLS all together!
• Homemade lotions/ cosmetics
• Use SLS-free products
• USDA organic seal
• Fragrance free

VOC:  Volatile Organic Compounds

• 1, 4 dichlorobenizene is one example

Found in:

• Paint
• Cleaning supplies
• Paint stripper
• Pesticides
• Copiers/ printers
• Glues/adhesives
• Permanent markers

Effects:

• Throat irritation
• Dizziness
• Asthma

Solution:

• VOC free or lower VOC paints
• Wear mask if have to be exposed
• Be aware of markers/copiers, use in moderation
• Wash hands
• Air out the environment: open doors, windows, etc.

Cheers to your health and happiness,

Angie