Studies show that there is a clear link between environmental toxins and poor health so it makes sense to avoid possible sources of contamination. Toxins can be absorbed through your skin, they are also in the air you breathe and the food that you eat and drink. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to protect your health and the health of your family.

First of all pay attention to your diet. Drink lots of filtered or mineral water, avoid foods high in fat, salt, sugar, additives and preservatives and increase your intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Second, see if your home or work places exposes you to obvious toxins that you can avoid, such as cigarette smoke, and then look out for these other 10 possibilities:

• Many perfumes and scented products, like air fresheners, contain worrying chemicals (such as “artificial musks”). Check toiletries and cosmetics. Be especially wary of the aluminium in deodorants. Use natural cosmetic products and deodorants instead as scientists are currently investigating links between deodorants and breast cancer. Most firms keep their ingredients secret, writing “parfum” on the label instead. Why not cut down on one or two scented products? Treat your pets or your house with natural herbal sprays or garlic or, better still, open a window instead of spraying air-freshener.
• The same goes for make up, moisturisers and other cosmetics as chemicals can get into our skin and be absorbed into the bloodstream. Explore your local health store or reputable online health sites and see what natural alternatives are out there. Tampons, especially super absorbent ones, may dry the vagina – making the transfer of toxins into the vagina easier. Best to use towels instead and if you do use tampons make sure you change them every four hours. Some studies have found that the only type of tampons that do not produce toxins are the 100 per cent cotton ones.
• Minimise the amount of chemicals you use in your home such as polish, bleach, detergents and air fresheners. Try to buy natural products or use tried and tested cleaners like white vinegar and lemon for stain removal, chemical free liquid soaps and detergents.
• See green. At least once a day try to take a stroll in a park or green place. Trees give out energizing oxygen. It’s also a good idea to have plants in your home and workplace. NASA research has shown that the following plants can extract fumes, chemicals and smoke from the air: peace lilies, dwarf banana plants, spider plants, weeping figs, geraniums, and chrysanthemums.
• Refuse and, when possible, replace mercury containing dental filings with non toxic ones. There are also high levels of mercury in tuna fish so keep your intake down to three or four times a week.
• Devices that emit electromagnetic radiation such as computer screens, mobiles, and microwaves should be used with caution and as far away from the bedroom as possible as preliminary research suggests they could have negative effects on health. Buy battery operated clocks and radios and unplug electrical sockets before you go to bed. Limit your time spent at computer screens as some research suggests it can increase the risk of miscarriage. Take regular breaks, around five minutes every half an hour and switch the screen off rather than using the screensaver.
• Many household paints give off dangerous fumes as they dry. Water based paints are better because they contain fewer “volatile organic compounds” (or VOCs). Use water based paints where possible.
• Toys made from PVC plastic can contain softeners called phthalates which are suspected hormone disrupters. Ask for PVC-free toys in the shop. (By law, new teething toys should now be free from phthalates).
• Bottles and Beakers. Plastic baby bottles, beakers and tableware made from polycarbonate can leak potentially risky chemicals when worn or scratched. Replace battered or scratched plastic utensils with new ones.
• Check chemicals at work. Carbon disulphide used in several chemical manufacturing processes such as the production of plastics has been linked to hormonal imbalance. Many pesticides and herbicides are known reproductive toxins. People working in gardens, parks, plant nurseries and farms are at risk. Exposure to heavy metals (traffic fumes) to solvents (dry cleaning, lab stag) and to glycol ethers used by electronics manufacturing firms have also been linked to fertility problems.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 1st, 2007 at 11:30 am and is filed under General Health, Toxins. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.