PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM TOXINS
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW AND WHAT YOU CAN DO
Today we live with toxins in our everyday world. Things such as:
- air pollutants
- lead
- solvents
- mercury
- plastics, perfumes, and other hormone disrupters
- pesticides
- artificial turf fields
Exposures occur at home, daycare, schools, and parks. The substances Phthalates and BPA occurring in tiny amounts have been shown to cause changes in hormones and thereby children may go through puberty at before it would have naturally occurred. Phthalates are in many hair products, makeup, perfume, dental floss that is high in wax, PVC piping. Many people use pesticides on their gardens and lawns. We then track these pesticides into our homes. It is interesting that Europe has banned the use of phthalates.
There are 2,800 chemicals have annual production exceeding 1 million pounds. Six billion pounds of BPA per year and 800 million pounds of phthalates per year.
SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM TOXINS IN OUR EVERYDAY WORLD
“If disease is caused by humans we can prevent it” said Dr. Philip Landrigan Mount Sinai’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Department Chair. There is a higher incidence of Cancer in children and Autism has been on the rise. Eighty thousand chemicals and new chemicals have been developed since World War II. Plastics comprise 70% of synthetic chemical industry. Plastics include 500 different chemical resins.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- stop using pesticides
- eat organic fruit and vegetables
- be wary of food packaging
- avoid canned foods/beverages unless BPA free
- avoid microwave popcorn
- avoid PVC and #3 plastics
- avoid nonstick pans
- switch to phthalate free personal care products
- Whole Foods sells makeup without phthalates
- avoid perfume
- check cosmetic ingredient safety on www.safecosmetics.org
- switch to toxic free cleaning products ex. seventh generation
- if remodeling check paint, adhesives, and use natural fiber carpets
- eat low mercury seafood
- minimize use of x-rays and cat scans
- Enjoy Life
For more general information:
www.nrdc.org (for information about mercury in fish)