7 Household Toxins To Avoid

If you’re a regular reader of this blog then you are probably quite well versed in the toxins you should avoid. These seven are on the top of our list, see if you recognise them:

BPA which stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that is used to make certain plastics and resins. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. NEVER reheat food in plastic storage containers as they will leach toxins even more when heated up.

Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children’s behaviour. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

TRICLOSAN is found in household cleaning products such as antibacterial soaps. These antimicrobial chemicals (triclosan and triclocarban), have a number of adverse health and environmental impacts, the main concerns being that they can increase our sensitivity to allergens, affect reproduction and development, and that overuse might contribute to microbial resistance.

Recent studies have also found that Triclosan interferes with the body’s thyroid hormone metabolism and maybe a potential endocrine disruptor. Children exposed to antibacterial compounds at an early age also have an increased chance of developing allergies, asthma and eczema.

PARABENS are preservatives that are mainly used in pharmaceutical products, cleaning products and cosmetics. They are a series of parahydroxybenzoates or esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid (also known as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid).

The concern with these chemicals is that scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer. They can also cause skin irritation.

FRAGRANCE Any manufacturer can cram as many toxic ingredients as it wants, including known carcinogens, under the umbrella term “fragrance,” without being required to name any of them specifically. This means chemicals can easily be hidden (often a ‘trade’ secret) and many can be highly toxic and finding out what is in a product under this title is almost impossible.

Fragrance can be found in an array of personal products, perfumes, hand soaps, dish soaps cleaning products and air fresheners including many oil reed diffusers.

To avoid any hidden toxic chemicals it is best to choose natural products that are actually natural and do not have ‘fragrance’ listed anywhere.

SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS) is a surfactant, which basically means it has an effect on the surfaces it touches. It’s used in a variety of products such as food thickeners, toothpaste, and household cleaning products.

SLS can make marshmallows fluffier and dried egg products lighter. It helps mix citrus and other acidic liquids with water to make fruit drinks. However it is banned from being used as a food additive in the European Union.

Research has found that SLS can irritate the skin and that warm water makes the irritation worse. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to rashes stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate. It can severely inflame skin conditions such as rosacea or psoriasis.

FORMALDEHYDE is a strong-smelling, colourless gas used in making building materials and many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials. It is also in preservatives used in some medicines, cosmetics and other consumer products such as dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners.

Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers. When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some people may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, whereas others have no reaction to the same level of exposure.

COLOURING is most commonly found in food but can also be in hand soap and dish soap. Different colours have different degrees of toxicity. Some of the dangers are general systemic/organ effects, developmental/endocrine/reproductive effects, cancer, chronic aquatic toxicity, damage to DNA, acute aquatic toxicity, kidney and urinary effects.

In New Zealand, there is no official food code guide that explains where additives come from, what they do in food, and whether they are any good for you. With so many colours, preservatives, and additives causing an array of health issues – some of which have been banned in other countries – it’s vitally important to know what to look out for and why.

In the book Supermarket Companion, how to bring home good food Wendyl shared her well researched 19 page guide covering everything from colours, preservatives, and flavour enhancers to PH regulators and anti-caking agents.