It's easy to assume that the common household products you buy are safe - after all, they wouldn't make it to the convenience stores shelves if they were harmful, right? Wrong. Those air fresheners, multipurpose cleansers, detergents and even beauty products are created with toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to your overall health. According to Natural News, many of these products can cause birth defects, reproductive harm and even certain cancers. The Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development also found that levels of common organic pollutants are two to five times higher inside of homes than outside. These findings alone are shocking and reason enough to think twice before shopping for typical cleansers.
The easiest way to ensure your safety is to take preventative measures. We strongly recommend avoiding the following common household products:
1. Air Fresheners
Clean-air fragrances and other scented fresheners may liven up your living room, but they're not doing the same for your overall health. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, air fresheners contain hazardous chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals are known to cause reproductive issues, birth defects and hormonal abnormalities when inhaled.
2. Cleaning Solutions
Your common window, kitchen and other multipurpose cleaning solutions don't just eliminate grime and dirt from your home, they also jeopardize the health of your liver, kidneys and lungs. According to Experience Life, most multipurpose cleaners are made with 2-butoxyethanol, a key ingredient that gives the products their smell. Unfortunately, if inhaled, this chemical can cause a sore throat, narcosis, pulmonary edema and liver and kidney damage. Rebecca Sutton, Ph.D., told the source that even the smallest exposure can be harmful if you're cleaning in a confined area.
"If you're cleaning at home in a confined area, like an unventilated bathroom, you can actually end up getting 2-butoxyethanol in the air at levels that are higher than workplace safety standards," she warned.
You may want to reconsider the chemical products you're using.
3. Cosmetics
Have you ever considered the chemicals in the beauty products you use everyday? According to Dr. Mercola, hair sprays, shampoos, perfumes and deodorants are also high in phthalates, which are used to bind the color and fragrance in these beauty products. Unfortunately, these chemicals are quickly absorbed into your system when applied to the skin and can lead to all of the same issues stated above.
The Solution: Use Natural Products
To reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals, we strongly suggest rummaging through your cupboards and eliminating the products that contain hazardous ingredients. Take a trip to the local health store and replace those products with non-toxic, organic solutions that are free of chemicals, abrasive solvents and volatile organic compounds. Or, you can create your own common cleaning products by using natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.
Additionally, you should take precautionary measures, as some of the chemicals may still be in your system. Get rid of those harmful, toxic products and then purify, nourish and re-energize your body.
You may want to reconsider the chemical products you're using.
