Everywhere we look there are toxins around us. They come from air pollution, cling to our food, swim in our water supply, and even party in our skincare products. We’re talking about chemicals in fragrances, plastics, cookware, beauty products and more.
But here’s the silver lining: our bodies have a detox team led by the liver and kidneys, with the skin and lymphatic system as trusty sidekicks, helping us detox from these toxins. However, sometimes they get overwhelmed, and that’s when we start feeling like we’ve got a hangover from toxins (any other symptoms). The good news is that we can take everyday steps to lower our toxin intake, reduce the toxic load, and ensure our detox team works like a well-oiled machine.
In this exploration, I’ll unravel the mysteries of toxins, uncover their hiding spots, and provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make healthier choices. Say goodbye to those terrible, toxic troublemakers that have overstayed their welcome.
Cracking the Code on Toxic Products
Let’s start by demystifying what toxins are. Toxins are like the villains of the chemical world, created by either living organisms or humans. These toxins can stir up all sorts of chaos in our bodies, from inflammation and severe illnesses to infertility, birth defects and cancer. Not so fun fact: every second, a whopping 310 kilograms of toxic chemicals are released into our environment globally, totaling an overwhelming 21 billion pounds each year. Yikes! And, to make things even more interesting, over 4.5 billion pounds of these chemicals are known to be carcinogens (they can cause cancer in humans)1. Now, don’t let that scare you off; I’m here to inform, not terrify!
Now that we understand that toxins are all around us, it’s time to take the reins and identify these toxins. We’ll start with the most common culprits, the endocrine disruptors (there are over a thousand of these troublemakers), and then we’ll dive into others (like pesticides) in a different blog adventure.
Meet the Toxin Endocrine Disruptors
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, endocrine disruptors like to mimic, block, or mess with our hormones, causing chaos throughout our bodies 2. Think developmental problems, fertility, thyroid troubles, and a host of other problematic issues. We call these toxins, endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Here are some of the culprits you’ll want to avoid:
Phthalates: These chemicals hang out in plastics, making them bend and flex. Say no to plastic food containers and hello to glass or stainless steel.
BPA (Bisphenol): Another plastic-loving troublemaker, often found in the linings of food and beverage containers. Again, try to choose glass containers as simply being “BPA-free” doesn’t mean these toxins are not in the containers. There are other chemicals makeups of this toxin that are used instead of BPA which can be just as dangerous.
Parabens: The preservatives that sneak into your food, personal care products, beauty goodies, and even drinks. Be a label detective and go for the paraben-free options.
Alkylphenols: These chemicals are found in the laundry and dish soap scene, as well as some personal care products. Go for products labeled “alkylphenol-free” or try eco-friendly alternatives, such as making your own at home.
Fragrances (Perfume): These scents are everywhere, from your favorite perfume to your everyday cleaning products and sitting on your bathroom counter in beauty products. Unfortunately, because these are found in so many items, you will want to be a label detective again and look for the word fragrance or perfume in the ingredient list. You will want to go for unscented or fragrance-free options but be careful because some products may be labeled as unscented but still have fragrances. Yep, mind-blowing! Fragrances can be made up of thousands of chemical compounds and you as a consumer will have no idea what makes up the fragrance. The FDA does not require the ingredients in the fragrance to be listed because the mixture is propriety 3. This makes the word fragrance an umbrella term where so many chemical ingredients can be the structure.
Now that we have identified these toxins, let’s explore where they hide in our everyday lives.
Toxic Trouble:
Many of the endocrine disruptors we want to avoid are lurking in our cabinets or in our showers at home. One of the first steps you can take is to cut out things you don’t need. For instance, say goodbye to scented candles, room sprays, scented perfumes, and those plug-in wall scents. We know it’s tempting to stock up when you get those “buy 5 plug-ins and get 2 free” deals, but resist!
These fragrances are a mix of hundreds to thousands of chemicals that you end up inhaling into your lungs and slathering on your skin, making your body work overtime to detox. A study published in 2022 suggested that exposure to fragrance products like air fresheners, deodorants, and scented laundry items can lead to respiratory issues, mucosal symptoms, headaches, asthma, and allergic contact dermatitis. Fragrances can even play tricks on your estrogen receptors, causing a host of hormone issues and having a correlation with breast cancer cells 4.
Another smart swap is to ditch your regular laundry detergent, fabric softener, dish soap, and body wash. These products are loaded with fragrances and a bunch of other chemical compounds that can mess with your endocrine system. Many personal care products also harbor parabens and phthalates, two of those pesky endocrine disruptors we’re trying to avoid. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive and developmental defects 4.
Here are a few non-toxic swaps you can incorporate:
- Air fresheners: Replace them with organic essential oils in a diffuser and have fun experimenting with scent combinations you love. You can also create your own scented oil mix using a carrier oil like unrefined coconut oil as a DIY perfume.
- Scented candles: Opt for 100% beeswax candles, whether unscented or infused with essential oils. They emit fewer harmful fumes compared to standard paraffin candles.
- Deodorants: Switch to natural deodorants that use plant-based ingredients and essential oils instead of synthetic fragrances or aluminum-based antiperspirants
- Laundry detergent & fabric softeners: There’s a world of non-toxic laundry detergents out there, such as Branch Basics (bonus points for eco-friendliness with their reusable packaging). For fabric softener, white vinegar does the trick, and no, your clothes won’t smell like a salad. Swap out your dryer sheet for reusable wool dryer balls, and if you fancy, add a few drops of essential oil for a scent boost.
- Shampoos and conditioners: Finding the perfect one can be a bit of a puzzle, but look for all-natural brands that are sulfate, paraben, and fragrance-free.
- Bodywash: Casile soap! This multitasker can do wonders beyond just cleansing your body.
- Everyday cleaning products: These are some of the easiest to make yourself. Get ready for a future blog post loaded with DIY recipes. Alternatively, you can shop from brands like Branch Basics, Grove Collaborative, or Seventh Generation.
- Water bottles and storage containers: Choose glass for your food storage and stainless steel for your water bottle. Plastics can leach BPA, phthalates, and other chemicals into your food and water.
- Cookware: Swap out nonstick cookware for stainless steel, ceramic, and cast iron. We didn’t dive into the world of “forever chemicals,” but note that nonstick cookware has been found to release toxic PFAS chemicals into your food which come with a host of health complications.
Check out this post where I give 21 different product swaps to help cut out toxins in your everyday environment.
Once you start making these recommended swaps, you’ll feel like a toxin-busting superhero, and checking labels will become second nature. Replacing that chemically fragranced body wash with a non-toxic alternative will be a breeze. Remember, it’s a journey, and Rome wasn’t detoxed in a day. Don’t stress about replacing everything at once; take it one swap at a time and enjoy the adventure to a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle! We challenge you to go forth and make those healthy swaps. This article should be the beginning of your research so see below for additional resources you can start looking into.
Additional Resources:
- Environmental Working Group (EWG): EWG is a non-profit organization that provides information on environmental toxins and offers consumer guides to help individuals make informed choices about products and chemicals. (https://www.ewg.org/)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA’s website offers extensive information on environmental toxins, including research, regulations, and resources for individuals looking to protect their health and the environment. (https://www.epa.gov/)
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): ATSDR, a part of the CDC, offers comprehensive information on toxic substances, their health effects, and exposure assessments. (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/)
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): NRDC is an environmental advocacy organization that works on issues related to environmental toxins and their impact on health and the environment. (https://www.nrdc.org/)
- Environmental Defense Fund (EDF): EDF focuses on solving environmental problems, including addressing toxic pollutants, through science, policy, and partnerships. (https://www.edf.org/)
Article References
- “Toxic Chemicals Released by Industries – Worldometers.” Worldometers.info, 2019, www.worldometers.info/view/toxchem/.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Endocrine Disruptors.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2018, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm.
- Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “Fragrances in Cosmetics.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019, www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics.
- Lee, Inhye, and Kyunghee Ji. “Identification of Combinations of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Household Chemical Products That Require Mixture Toxicity Testing.” Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 240, 15 July 2022, p. 113677, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651322005176, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113677. Accessed 3 Feb. 2023.
