Til’ Death Do Us Part: Could Loyalty to Toxic Everyday Products be Harming You and your Family?

We see hundreds of advertisements each day for products that claim to do everything from removing stains to preventing wrinkles. However, we rarely hear about the thousands of synthetic chemicals and toxins being absorbed by our bodies and released into the environment each time we use these products. Toxins found in popular, everyday products have been linked to respiratory issues, endocrine system disruption, developmental disorders, cancer and other health issues. Unfortunately, the regulation of the personal care, beauty and household products industry is even more lax than the food industry. For the average consumer, discerning the truth about ingredients in our favorite deodorant or household cleaner can be like trying to read and understand a foreign language. Here is a list of common hazardous ingredients in household and personal care products.

1. 1, 4-dioxone
2. 2-butoxyethanol
3. Alkyl phenol ethoxylates
4. Ammonium quaternary compounds
5. Bisphenol-A (BPA)
6. Triclosan
7. Phthalates
8. Parabens
9. Glycolethers
10. PFCs (Perfluorinated Compounds)
11. Toluene
12. Synthetic Fragrances

Consumers who are concerned about pervasive toxins in their environment can best protect themselves through education. Researching whether a company is producing toxin-free products or sifting through product labels at the store can become extremely time consuming. Companies such as Smart Planet Market make it easy to find products that are guaranteed to be free from harmful toxins or chemicals.

For more information on toxins and dangerous chemicals check out the following links:

• EDC-2: The Endocrine Society's Second Scientific Statement on Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals -2015 update since the first scientific statement in 2009
• Project TENDR - A new group of professionals formed in 2015 that are focusing on the increasing evidence linking toxic environmental chemicals to neurodevelopmental disorders
• “Potentially Toxic Chemicals Plummet in Teens After Switching to Safer Cosmetics” - This 2016 study on teen girls ages 14-18 focuses on the need for greater regulation of cosmetics and the personal care industry
• Women’s Voices for the Earth - This non-profit features useful fact sheets and tips of specific toxins and how to avoid them
• Detox Me App - A free smartphone application that guides users to choose safer products and minimize their exposure to toxic chemicals

Feel free to share below with any tip, recommendations, or questions on how to reduce exposure to dangerous toxins and chemicals!