Toxins found in everyday products

Cookware and Food Storage:

1. Non-Stick Cookware (PFOA, PFAS):
   • Scratches or cracks release up to 2.3 billion particles into food.
   • Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disorders, miscarriages, preterm births, preeclampsia, obesity, endometriosis, and PCOS.
2. Plastic Containers (Food Storage):
   • Release endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as BPA and phthalates, especially when heated or degraded.
3. Microwaving Plastics:
   • Releases billions of microplastic particles into food, even in “BPA-free” plastics.
4. Plastic Lids and Takeaway Containers:
   • Leach microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and phthalates.
5. Plastic Water Bottles:
   • Release microplastics, especially when exposed to sunlight, heat, or physical pressure.
6. Takeaway Coffee Cups and Lids:
   • Plastic linings and lids leach microplastics into hot beverages.
7. Bottled Water:
   • Plastic bottles leach microplastics, especially when exposed to sunlight, heat, or physical pressure.

Personal Care and Cosmetics:

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

Clothing and Fabrics:

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

Household Items and Cleaning Products:

1. 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.
2. Fireplace and Paraffin Wax Candles:
   • Release carcinogens like benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, which can be inhaled and cause inflammation and oxidative stress.
3. Cleaning Products:
   • Chemicals like ammonia, bleach, formaldehyde, and phthalates can be found in household cleaners, potentially harming respiratory and skin health.
4. Scented Cleaning Products (Fragrance-laden Fabric Cleaners):
   • Often contain phthalates, VOCs, and other toxic substances that can lead to hormonal disruption and respiratory issues.
5. Dryer Sheets:
   • Contain oily, waxy substances that can coat clothing and be absorbed through the skin, contributing to chemical exposure.
6. Toxic Cleaning Chemicals (Ammonia, Bleach, Formaldehyde):
   • Found in common household cleaning products and may contribute to respiratory and skin irritation.
7. 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.

Water and Air Quality:

1. Tap Water Contaminants:
   • May contain hormones, pesticides, heavy metals, agricultural runoff, fluoride, and lead.
2. Scented Products (Incense, Candles):
   • Can release VOCs and potentially carcinogenic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.
3. 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.