The human body is a phenomenal machine. It’s composed of complex systems working in unison to ensure your body can breathe, move and feel without even thinking about it – and that’s just the beginning. We have a multitude of systems that are constantly working together to keep us going, but, in order for us to function at our best, they need to be in proper working order as well.
Some of the most common symptoms we hear about in our clinic include fatigue, brain fog, physical aches and pains, skin issues and difficulty with weight loss. Naturally, we thoroughly investigate all the potential causes of these issues through regular exams, along with blood, hormone and digestive testing, but when all these tests come back normal it’s time to consider the environment.
On average, a North American adult is exposed to tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of different chemicals each day. Much of this exposure is unavoidable as it’s found in our air, water and soil – but others come from the products we consume, clean with and unknowingly bring into our homes every day. We call these chemicals synthetic compounds and while they are incredibly common, it is possible to reduce our exposure to them – but first, we need to understand what and where they are.
Pesticides/Herbicides are chemicals used to prevent or destroy bacteria and fungi that grows on plants including the food we grow and eat. Residues from these elements can be found on up to 70% of commercially grown produce available in grocery stores. Long term persistent use and exposure to pesticides has been linked to a variety of health concerns including asthma, diabetes and various cancers.
Phthalates are compounds used to make plastic more flexible. They are also used as a solvent or binding agent and are commonly found in our body care products (shampoo, conditioner, make-up, etc.), plastic pipes, medical equipment, plastic film, pharmaceuticals, food packaging and detergents. Potential hazards from phthalates are currently being researched but early studies show them to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning they affect the hormones responsible for our reproductive systems and metabolism.
Bisphenols are a group of chemicals used to manufacture plastic and epoxy resin. They’re essentially the building block of all other plastics and are found in food and beverage can liners, food packaging, automotive parts, water bottles and medical equipment. Bisphenol A (BPA), the most well-known of the bisphenol group, was researched as a potential synthetic estrogen for the pharmaceutical industry. The Environmental Protection Agency is concerned about BPA because of its weak estrogenic effect on women and children which could impact their reproductive and developmental health.
Flame retardants sound like a group of compounds that could easily be avoided but, unfortunately that’s not the case. These were introduced as a fire safety measure to protect the general public and are found in carpets, furniture foams, appliances, home insulation, toys, electronics, car seats, automotive parts and baby products. Scientists have found that exposure to flame retardants - most often through the inhalation of household dust - can disrupt the endocrine, reproductive and nervous systems with children often being the most vulnerable to these chemicals as their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Brominated flame retardants are the most commonly used and belong to the same category as Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB’s) which were banned in 1979 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of 4,700 compounds which have been used since the 1940’s to make surfaces water resistant and non-stick. The most commonly used PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) is Tefflon non-stick and PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid)which is used to make Scotchgard. These chemicals can also be found in other non-stick cookware, furniture, waterproof clothing, food packing, take-out containers, rubber, plastics and electronics. Research on PFOA and PFOS has shown health concerns affecting fertility among both women and men. PFAS have also been named “possibly carcinogenic” by the EPA and the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC).
While this information may feel overwhelming and maybe even a little scary, it may help to know there are still many choices we can all make at home and at the grocery store to help decrease our exposure to toxic chemicals. So what can we do?
Avoid Pesticides/Herbicides:
Buy organic whenever possible
Thoroughly wash your fruits and veggies when you get home
If you’re unable to buy organic, peel your produce or eat a variety of different produce to avoid high exposure to one particular pesticide
Avoiding Phthalates:
Avoid plastic food containers
Plastics listed with a recycling code of 1, 2, 4, or 5 are usually safest
Use glass or metal to reheat food – never reheat in plastic
Check product labels and avoid those that include phthalates
Avoiding Bisphenols and BPA:
Avoid or decrease the use of canned food
Wash food which has come in canned or bottled products
Avoid plastics with the 3 or 7 recycle code
Choose BPA-free water bottles and baby bottles
Don’t microwave food in plastic or canned containers
Avoiding Flame retardants:
Limit exposure to household dust by using wet mops, vacuuming with a HEPA filter and frequently changing the filter on your HVAC system
Avoid buying furniture and baby products filled with polyurethane foam
Avoiding Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Avoid non-stick cookware
Ensure your clothing, electronics and furniture do not contain PFAS
Unfortunately, many of these substances are often already a part of our day to day lives which makes our future buying decisions even more important. Don’t forget to read those labels and make educated choices about the food you buy, how you prepare your food, the body care products you use, the furniture you buy and the water you drink. There may be no overnight solutions but little by little, smarter choices will continually improve our overall environment and create a healthier atmosphere for everyone.
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