Toxic Awareness, The First Step

Have you given much thought to the chemicals in and around you every day.  I hadn't until about 3 years ago.  I didn't know any better and believed if something was harmful, it would not be allowed on the market.  I guess I was a bit naive.  Here are just a few staggering statistics:

"In the past 50 years more than 75,000 chemicals have been introduced into the environment. Today 300 synthetic chemicals are found in the bodies of humans. Even newborn babies have synthetic chemicals passed on from their mothers."   —REACH

"The tests found as many as 232 chemicals in the 10 newborns...The cord blood study has produced hard new evidence that American children are being exposed, beginning in the womb, to complex mixtures of dangerous substances that may have lifelong consequences." - 2007 EWG study

"Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities." —Consumer Product Safety Commission

"Cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals!" —American Cancer Society

Toxins, chemicals, pesticides are present all around us, in our air, water, food, homes, personal care products, drugs, and more. As you see from these few quotes, there is great concern as to how these chemical substances are affecting our health.  Our liver, lungs and kidneys are stressed and sometimes injured as they try to filter out these toxins.  Fat cells are created to encapsulate toxins to keep them from doing further damage, leading to weight gain and obesity.

Personally, I have taken steps to learn more about the products that contain these harmful chemicals (cleaners, laundry soap, toothpaste, baby shampoo, soft drinks, processed foods, to name a few) and to minimize their presence in my life.  Some of the chemical names to watch out for are:  any chemical that include the clauses “xynol,” “ceteareth” and “oleth”,diethanolamine or DEA, a potentially cancer-causing agent, Propylene Glycol (antifreeze), Parabens, Sodium Laurel Sulfate.  T

I know it came seem overwhelming to try to figure out what to do to protect yourself, your health and your family from these chemicals and toxins.  You can't eliminate every toxic substance from the air and environment, but you do control the toxins you allow in your home, in your food, and on your body.  Eliminating these will have a huge impact on your health, from hormones and weight, to respiratory and allergies, and more.

Have you come up with some creative ways to reduce chemicals in your life?  I'd love to hear?