By Jessie Sholl, Experience Life
The average household contains about 62 toxic chemicals, say environmental experts.
We’re exposed to them routinely — from the phthalates in syn
thetic fragrances to the noxious fumes in oven cleaners.
Ingredients in common household products have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity.
Manufacturers argue that in small amounts these toxic ingredients aren’t likely to be a problem, but when we’re exposed to them routinely, and in combinations that haven’t been studied, it’ s impo
ssible to accurately gauge the risks. While a few products cause immediate reactions from acute exposure (headaches from fumes, skin burns from accidental contact), different problems arise with repeated contact.
Chronic exposure adds to the body’s “toxic burden” — the number of chemic als stored in its tissues
at a given time.
No one can avoid exposure to toxic chemicals altogether, but it is possible to reduce it significantly.
In the following pages, experts weigh in on the worst toxic offenders commonly found in household cleaning products, and offer ways to swap them for healthier, safer options.
How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit