12 Scary Household Items to Eliminate
One such product? Room airfresheners. The chemicals contained in most (probably 98%) of aerosol room freshener sprays can not only irritate existing allergic or pulmonary conditions, they have also been linked to creating neurotoxicity, immune system issues, cancers, etc. Pitch the can... It's not worth it!
Better Option: Soy Bean Candles....they are all natural and usually are scented with natural essential oils.
Another example? Toothpaste. Many toothpastes contain a pesticide known as Triclosan. Here's what the Eviromental Working Group has to say in a recent article on Triclosan Toxicity: "Lab studies link triclosan to cancer, developmental defects, and liver and inhalation toxicity. A secret study by Colgate scientists revealed exposure to low levels of triclosan caused liver tumors in mice (See 1996). Colgate refuses to release this study to EPA for evaluation, though it provided it to FDA in order to ensure it could add triclosan to toothpaste and other oral care products." I would highly suggest checking out the rest of the article through this link: http://www.ewg.org/node/26701 Triclosan is also found in many hand soaps and other body products.
Better Option: Tom's of Maine Toothpaste. I switched out my paste last month and am now using a Tom's paste and LOVE it. The taste is good, consistency is good, and it leaves my mouth feeling super clean! What is great is that you no longer have to spend the few extra dollars to get it at Whole Foods. It's actually carried at WalMart and Target for a buck or so cheaper...not as many flavor options but still a great deal!
Final example: Plastic storage containers...including water bottles. Most, if not all plastic food and beverage containers contain some level of BPA. But what is BPA? Bisphenol A is a chemical released when plastics are heated that changes the chemical components of whatever the plastic is surrounding. BPA can be found in everything from baby bottles to water bottles to food containers. According to EWG this is what you can look out for on your plastic products: "BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic food containers often marked on the bottom with the letters "PC" recycling label #7. Not all #7 labeled products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline for a category of plastics to avoid. Polycarbonate plastics are rigid and transparent and used for sippy cups, baby bottles, food storage, and water bottles. Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as 'non-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or odor, however there is still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these containers, particularly if used to heat liquids." Some plastics are passible...such as those with recycling numbers #1, #2, and #4. Ideally you should store your food in glass storage containers which you can find at anywhere from Whole Foods to Target.
Better Option: For water you should also choose either glass or stainless steel containers. I know what you're thinking, GLASS WATER BOTTLE?! But seriously, there are some great ones out there right now that have a no-slip rubber grip on them to help avoid dropping or breaking. More companies are coming out with great Stainless Steel options as well. If you're like me you like the convenience of a bottle that you dont have to screw the cap off of to drink out of. Well now you can find the stainless steel with mouth pieces. Yoga company, Gaiam, not makes stainless bottle with straws. They are super sweet and can be found atTarget! You do have to watch for the lining in certain stainless steel bottles as some do contain BPA. Make sure that the stainless steel bottle you're purchasing is classified as BPA free.
Check out Gaiam's website for some great products! http://www.gaiam.com/category/fitness-center/water-bottles.do
These few items don't begin to cover the lengthy list of household items that are slowly doing you in. Might be time to start taking stock of what you're using everyday. If it's not helping you be healthy, it's helping you get one foot in the grave that much quicker.
Food for thought!
Live Green TODAY!
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