Toxic Exposure: The Rise of Chemicals in Our Water, Food, and Air

Many of us don’t think much about what we’re eating or exposing our bodies to on a daily basis.

We hit the sale on produce, grab the cheapest soap or bathroom cleaner, and burn a cheap candle to make our home feel clean. Well, this seemingly harmless pattern may not be quite as harmless as we think.

Environmental toxins are present in all of these things. When we don’t pay close attention to the ingredients or materials we’re using, we risk toxic exposure, which can have unsettling effects on our health.

So, what are environmental toxins and what are they found in?

Keep reading to learn more about them!

What Are Environmental Toxins?

Environmental toxins are damaging components found in the things we eat, breathe, and drink.

There are millions of environmental toxins being ingested every single day. Environmental toxins can be detected in breast milk from nursing mothers, newborn umbilical blood, and children.

Many environmental toxins are manmade, however, many do come from nature.

Here are some examples of environmental toxins we come in contact with every day…

Kinds of Environmental Toxins

The list of environmental toxins in our food, water, and air are growing every day.

Here are some of the ones that we know about…

1. PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers)- This chemical is used as a flame retardant. It’s used much more than you probably realize. PBDEs can be found in dust all-around your home, and even swimming pools.

2. Bisphenol A (BPA)- All of us have probably heard of BPAs. BPAs are used in plastic to make the material more flexible. 

This chemical can be responsible for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. These health conditions happen from the impact BPAs have on the endocrine system.

3. Acrylamide- Acrylamide can be made from cooking foods at really high temperatures. Or, it can be a result of industrial production.

Acrylamide has been shown to be toxic to the nervous system.

4. Mercury- Mercury is another environmental toxic that pretty much all of us have heard about.

Mercury is a heavy metal that can be found in the Earth’s crust. Mercury is most commonly present in large fish, like swordfish, mackerel, or tuna.

5. Glyphosate- This is a pesticide and an antibiotic.

Glyphosate can be found in grainy foods like oats and cereals. Also, it can be present in public parks as well as in animals. 

The health impacts of glyphosate include fatigue, immune system disruption, and learning disabilities. 

What Problems Can Environmental Toxins Cause?

When ingested or absorbed into the skin, toxic exposure can be responsible for tons of different health issues. 

In extreme cases, toxins can cause death in the person who consumed or absorbed them. Millions of deaths have been reported as a result of environmental toxins. 

In other countries like Australia and Europe, cancer rates have skyrocketed and the medical cost from environmental toxins has as well! Cancer is one of the top five common causes of death, and environmental toxins have been shown to contribute to cancer.

Slightly less extreme health complications are chronic fatigue and weight-related problems. Since toxins can impact your nervous system and endocrine system, you can be left feeling weak and all-around unhealthy.

Conditions like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are directly related to environmental toxin ingestion and absorption. Also, depression and anxiety can be worsened by toxins. This is because environmental toxins can cause the brain to be inflamed. 

Additionally, toxic exposure can also cause delays in the development of children. It can stunt physical growth as well as cognitive development. 

Preventing Toxic Exposure

Preventing toxic exposure starts with the materials you bring into your home, and how you care for your home. 

Essential Oils

Be careful about the candles, air fresheners, and cleaning products you use in your home. Essential oils can be used as a safe replacement for these things.

Since essential oils (when made correctly) are a natural substance, the risk of toxic exposure is eliminated. Also, essential oils have been shown to have several health benefits, which is the opposite reaction of toxins. 

Health benefits of essential oils can include…

• Lessened stress from the aromatherapy of smelling or absorbing oil into the skin
• Winter symptoms eased when diffusing oils
• Body systmes are supported when used topically or internally

Essential oils often are taken straight from the farm and sealed up into a bottle, which makes them much safer than processed products.

Go Organic

Along with changing the materials that you breathe in and absorb through your skin, you’ll want to take a look at the food you’re buying. 

Organic food is free of pesticides and much better for your overall health. While buying organic is a little pricier, you’ll notice the investment as you feel healthier.

Buying organic produce over traditional produce at the grocery store is great, but if you want to take it a step further, shop at your local farmer’s market. You can feel assured knowing that the food is completely fresh, untreated, and grown locally.

Buying from a farmer’s market is also great for the environment!

Keep Your Home Clean

As we talked about earlier, toxins can be found in the dust that collects in your home.

That’s why it’s so important to keep your home picked up and sanitized. Toxins can hide in dirty clothes, unwashed linens, and even your carpet if you aren’t vigilant in preventing them.

Using Thieves Cleaner is a fantastic all natural, non-toxic option for your home. It’s what I use!

Avoid Using Pesticides on Your Lawn

While pests can be a nuisance, so can pesticides.

When you use pesticides in your lawn or garden, you’re going to be ingesting or absorbing those in some way. If you treat your home-grown vegetables with pesticides, you’ll literally be eating harmful toxins.

If you treat your lawn, you may drag these toxins into the house with your shoes, which will be harmful to your family to breathe in.

Find the Safest Products Today

Toxic exposure is responsible for so many avoidable health conditions that can become fatal.

To keep yourself and your family safe, it’s important to eliminate these toxins and replace them with clean alternatives. 

To learn more about why you should make the switch to essential oils, check out our blog!