Toxins found in everyday products

Toxins are everywhere, its almost impossible to avoid.  Human body is good at removing most toxins, but there are some toxins that it has real trouble dealing with. Many of these toxins get trapped and never leave the body at all; Metals such as Mercury, Lead, Aluminium, Cadmium; also Microplastics and Pesticides too.

For example, Teflon (invented by DuPont in the 1930) was found to be a very stable indestructible material, useful in a number of applications and now used in cookware.  But if over heated, can produce toxins that are extremely dangerous, and would never leave the body.

Cancer rates have tripled in the last 50 years, and its likely that many of these new toxins are a large contributing factor.  Dementia cases have also risen sharply, with some experts saying that 95% causes being the toxins in what we eat and breath.  Many of these toxins are now almost impossible to avoid, but being aware of them might help you in reducing your exposure.

Here’s an extensive list of toxins you should be aware of:

Cookware and Food Storage:

1. Non-Stick Cookware (PFOA, PFAS):
   • Scratches or cracks will release billions toxic particles into food.
   • Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disorders, miscarriages, preterm births, preeclampsia, obesity, endometriosis, and PCOS.
2. Plastic Containers & Microwaving Plastics:
   • Releases billions of microplastic particles into food, even in “BPA-free” plastics.
   • Release endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as BPA and phthalates, especially when heated or degraded.
3. Plastic Kettles:
   • Boiling water next to plastic can absorb billions of plastic particles in to the water. Black plastic can be even worse, as its usually made from recycled plastic with added brominated flame retardants.
4. Bottled Water & Plastic Water Bottles:
   • Plastic bottles leach microplastics, especially when exposed to sunlight, heat, or physical pressure.
5. Takeaway Coffee Cups, Lids & Takeaway Containers:
   • Plastic linings and lids leach microplastics into hot beverages and food, can also contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates.
6. Tea Bags
   • Many tea bags are made from polypropylene, nylon or cellulose which will leak plastic in to your tea when heated by boiling water.

Personal Care and Cosmetics:

1. Tampons and Menstrual Products:
   • Contain benzene, heavy metals, phthalates, and glyphosate.
   • Cotton in tampons often heavily sprayed with pesticides.
2. Antiperspirants:
   • Contain aluminium salts that may act as oestrogens and are potentially linked to increased breast cancer risk.
3. Perfumes and Fragrances:
   • Contain phthalates and other chemicals that can disrupt hormones.
4. Everyday Beauty and Personal Care Products:
   • Shampoos, deodorants, and makeup may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA, parabens, and formaldehyde.
5. Cosmetics / Makeup:
   • Commonly contain endocrine disruptors like phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde releasers.
6. Beauty Products Marketed to Black Women:
   • Often contain toxic ingredients such as fragrances, endocrine disruptors, harsh detergents, and formaldehyde releasers.
7. Nail Polish and Nail Removers:
   • Contain toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity.
8. Fragranced Products (Air Fresheners, Scented Candles, Plug-Ins):
   • Release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde and benzene.

Clothing and Fabrics:

1. Synthetic Clothing (Polyester, Nylon, Spandex):
   • Release microplastics and may contain BPA, an endocrine disruptor.
2. Cotton Clothing and Fabrics (Non-organic):
   • Often heavily sprayed with pesticides, which can lead to toxic exposure.
3. Synthetic Carpets and Rugs:
   • May contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that off-gas, potentially causing respiratory issues and skin irritation.
4. Mattresses (Memory Foam):
   • May contain VOCs, flame retardants, and formaldehyde, which can off-gas into the environment.
5. Fire Retardant Fabrics (Furniture, Mattresses):
   • Often contain flame retardants, which are linked to hormonal disruption, reproductive issues, and neurological effects.

Household Items and Cleaning Products:

1. Fireplace and Paraffin Wax Candles:
   • Release carcinogens like benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, which can be inhaled and cause inflammation and oxidative stress.
2. Cleaning Products:
   • Chemicals like ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, and phthalates can be found in household cleaners, potentially harming respiratory and skin health.
3. Scented Cleaning Products (Fragrance-laden Fabric Cleaners):
   • Often contain phthalates, VOCs, and other toxic substances that can lead to hormonal disruption and respiratory issues.
4. Dryer Sheets:
   • Contain oily, waxy substances that can coat clothing and be absorbed through the skin, contributing to chemical exposure.
5. Toxic Cleaning Chemicals (Ammonia, Bleach, Formaldehyde):
   • Found in common household cleaning products and may contribute to respiratory and skin irritation.
6. Petroleum-Based Products (Cosmetics, Personal Care, Cleaning):
   • Many cosmetics, personal care, and cleaning products are derived from petrochemicals, which can release harmful substances like benzene and toluene.
7. Household and Consumer Items (Plastic Products):
   • Everyday products like plastic containers, non-stick cookware, and makeup can release harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA, and PFCs.

Water and Air Quality:

Chlorine found in drinking water has minimal effect on health. It is regulated to remain at very low levels, around 1 mg/L. Concentrations below 5 mg/L are not expected to cause health effects. However, higher levels can lead to the formation of disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes, which should be avoided. Boiling the water and leaving it standing will evaporate some of the Chlorine from the water.

Fluoride in tap water is far more harmful than Chlorine, as the body does not break fluoride down. Some fluoride is excreted through the kidneys, while the remainder is stored in bones and teeth. Fluoride cannot be removed by boiling or evaporation; it can only be reduced through advanced filtration methods.

1. Tap Water Contaminants:
   • May contain hormones, pesticides, heavy metals, agricultural runoff, fluoride, and lead.
2. Air Quality Pollutants (Household):
   • General household pollutants, increased by pets (manageable with cleaning).
   • Suggested cleaning: wipe pet paws after walks.

Cigarettes and Tobacco Products:

1. Cigarettes:
   • Release heavy metals, carcinogens, and deplete glutathione, an essential antioxidant.

Miscellaneous and Other Products:

1. Mercury Amalgam Dental Fillings:
   • Noted as extremely toxic to reproduction and the brain.
2. Matcha (Potential Toxins):
   • Tea plants can accumulate heavy metals naturally.
   • Recommendation: Use organically grown and tested matcha for heavy metals.
3. Plastic Bags and Food Wrappers:
   • Leach toxins such as phthalates and BPA and can break down into microplastics.
4. Baby Products (Plastic Baby Bottles, Pacifiers, Toys):
   • BPA, phthalates, and PVC are commonly found in some plastic baby products, which may leach toxins when in contact with food or liquid.

After ingesting these substances, this is an estimate of how much remains in the body after one month:

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