Everything is a chemical but these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) block, dock, and interfere with normal hormone function in the body at very low levels. Thankfully, by avoiding these toxic chemicals and allowing the body to detoxify naturally you can drastically lower your body burden in just a few days. Use the below list to decrease exposure in your home.
Pesticides are used in agriculture to control pests and they include the following: herbicide, insecticides nematicide, molluscicide, piscicide, avicide, rodenticide, bactericide, insect repellent, animal repellent, antimicrobial, fungicide, and lampricide.
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Buy organic whenever possible!
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Talk to your farmers market vendor about their pest practices - some of your vendors are using very little/no pesticides.
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If money is tight, buy fruits and vegetables organic if you eat the skin (Spinach, Berries, and cruciferous veggies) it’s ok to buy conventional if you don’t (avocados, oranges, etc)
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Looking for another way to save check your freezer section.
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Biodynamic farms are a great way to go! (Listen to my episode with Bubba!)
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Ditch your shoes at the door and wear bare feet insides to prevent tracking in pesticides and herbicides.
Phthalates are used in cosmetics, personal care products, and food packaging. They are mainly used as plasticizers because they increase flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. (ie: durable plastics and long-lasting makeup)
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Download the EWG and think-dirty app to your phone and start scanning your products and swapping them out for phthalate-free alternatives
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Avoid the word “fragrance” in your personal care products.
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Avoid water bottles with the recycling numbers 3, 6, and 7 these all contain phthalates that soften the plastic. better yet, BYO water bottle!
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No such thing as microwave-safe plastic, unfortunately (microscopic leaching of chemicals as polymers break down with heat)
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Avoid those nonstick pans, PFAS aren’t just water contaminant chemicals. These are thyroid disruptors associated with obesity & diabetes. Swap to stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic.
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Opt for clean beauty products. I have a FREE phthalate-free beauty guide for download here.
Bisphenol, which is present in aluminum cans and thermal paper receipts. This is BPA, BPS, and BPF. Just because it says BPA-free doesn’t mean they aren’t using BPS or BPF and these chemicals are equally as dangerous if not worse.
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Swap out plastic water bottles for reusable glass or stainless steel
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Use glass or tetra pack instead of cans or pressure cook bulk dry beans and freeze them for future use.
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Say no to receipts
Flame Retardants, when you’re buying new things search out “flame-retardant free” furniture and car seats.
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Open your windows to air out chemicals
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Use a wet mop instead of a dry mop to remove chemical dust
To learn more tune into my podcast with Dr. Leo Trasande or check out my favorite ways to lower EDC’s in your kids here.
