Do you assume when buying something that it's safe for you and your loved ones? Yup, that was me! About 10 years ago I learned a few things that disappointed and frustrated me. To help you avoid similar mistakes, allow me to share more and offer safer choices for you and your family.
Why is this even a conversation we need to have?
The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1976 grandfathered in an estimated 62,000+ chemicals currently used in products today. This means these chemicals haven’t had safety testing. Manufacturers of personal care and cleaning products like cosmetics, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, detergents, furniture polish, and more, are protected by trade secret laws that allow them to keep their ingredient lists a secret.
What does this mean to you?
Many of these chemicals wreak havoc on our hormones causing health issues and contribute to obesity. As shown in the following PubMed research article Obesogens - An Emerging Threat to Public Health, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) contribute to infertility, premature puberty, endometriosis, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. 
Typically, studies about the causes of cancer focus on tobacco, alcohol, and too much sun. But the World Health Organization and many scientists believe nearly 1 in 5 cancers are caused by chemicals and environmental exposures in the workplace and also in consumer products, food, water, and air. According to the first comprehensive inventory of carcinogens that have been measured in people, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals are building up in the bodies of Americans. The EWG is a non-profit research organization dedicated to empowering people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Learn more at ewg.org.
Due to the way the Toxic Substance Control Act was written, regulatory agencies like the EPA had to ‘prove’ a chemical posed an unreasonable risk before they could do anything about it. However, the EPA wasn’t given the authority to do this because of some restrictive language in the TSCA law. Unfortunately, what started as an attempt to protect us from dangerous chemicals backfired and the chemical industry became more protected.
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Dryer sheets - are among the most toxic products due to smelling artificial fragrances all day and softener chemicals absorbing into the skin. A safe alternative is to use wool dryer balls with essential oils dropped onto them. I like using lavender or purification oil.
- Candles and plug-ins - swap them out with a diffuser and pure essential oils.
- Cleaning products – every chemical cleaning supply under your sink can be replaced with Thieves Household Cleaner. This is highly concentrated and works. Just add one small capful to a spray bottle, add water and you’re good to go. This is the cheapest organic cleaner you’ll find. I use it to clean everything in our home!
your home will not only be your favorite place to be,
it will also be a healthier place to be as well.
Contact me today to learn more about ways in which you can reduce chemical exposure in your home. You'll find like-minded people living their best life, sharing recipes, inspiration, and tips on how to embrace a more natural lifestyle!
