How Environmental Toxins Impact Your Health
Our typical day is filled interacting with hundreds of types of toxins. Frozen meals, K-cups, cans of your favorite seltzer water, shaving cream, toothpaste, food like meat, fish, and eggs, smog, clothing, and even your soap.
If it were just the deodorant it might not be an issue but with frequent exposure from many angles, this creates an accumulation in the body called the “body burden.” A higher body burden means an increased magnitude of the effects which can be as simple as skin irritation, obesity, and brain fog to as daunting as Alzheimer’s and cancer.
What are Toxins?
Environmental toxins are substances and organisms that are poisonous to humans. Despite the term "environmental," toxins include man-made versions like PFAS (popularized by Teflon) and naturally forming things like lead. These toxins exist in many forms (liquid, solid, vapor), can enter the body in many ways (skin, mouth, inhalation) and they're found in such a wide variety of things from the unsurprising car exhaust to the unexpected shopping receipt.
In recent decades our exposure to toxins has increased due to the invention of synthetic materials (e.g. Teflon, ScotchGard, RoundUp), industrial manufacturing and fossil fuel consumption, and due to chemical-intensive farming practices. Humans didn’t evolve to have these toxins in their environment so this mismatch leads to a body that doesn’t function as well.
8 Common Toxins
These are 8 of the most common toxic offenders in our lives today. This is by no means an exhaustive list but rather a peak under the hood of the world of extremely harmful toxins that we tend to be oblivious to.
Many (all?) of these toxins also have impacts on the environment which has even more ramifications that I won’t explore here. Just know that limiting your use to these (oftentimes in very simple ways) can have a profound impact on you and the world around you.
1. Parabens. Parabens are used as a preservative and these things are everywhere. They’re so common that 90% of people have at least some type of measurable level of parabens in their urine, blood, or breast milk Source: They’re found in shampoo, toothpaste, shaving gel, sunscreens, and moisturizers. Risk: They’re an endocrine disruptor that can impact hormones including testosterone and estrogen, fertility, and birth outcomes. It’s also been linked to a variety of concerns including skin irritation, breast cancer, and ecological damage. Look for: You’ll see the word “paraben” in the ingredient list, sometimes as the suffix such as propylparaben.
2. Phthalates. Phthalates are nicknamed “the everywhere chemical.” They’re esters of phthalic acid typically used as plasticizers to make products more durable, flexible, and transparent. Source: You’d think a word that’s spelled so awkwardly would be a rarity but they’re hidden in a lot of the products we use on a daily basis such as personal care products (e.g. soaps, shampoos, deodorants), foods (meat, fish, infant formula, baking oils), and things like children’s toys, car interiors, vinyl flooring, and synthetic fragrances to name a few. I’ve written about their impact on testosterone levels but they impact much more than just testosterone. Risk: They’ve been linked to asthma, allergies, decreased sperm motility and concentration, and even abnormalities of the genitalia in baby boys. Look for: Phthalates come in many forms such as BBP, DBP, DEHP, DEP, DiDP, DiNP, DnHP, and DnOP.
3. BPA and BPS. BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical that’s added to plastics to increase their toughness and rigidity. Source: It’s commonly found on receipt paper, eyeglass lenses, in dental materials, and in the lining of water pipes. It can leach into water bottles, baby bottles, formula, food, and water from cans. It’s found in the bodies of 96% of Americans, most commonly due to food packaging. Risk: BPA exposure is linked to behavioral issues, memory impairments, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, early puberty, and fertility issues. A study found a 49% greater risk of death within 10 years when people consumed higher levels of BPA. Look for: BPA-free is now highly sought after on anything containing plastic but the substitute is often BPS (bisphenol-S) which has been “shown to be more toxic to the reproductive system than BPA and was shown to hormonally promote certain breast cancers at the same rate as BPA.” (source)
4. Dioxins. Dioxins are a type of persistent organic pollutants (a.k.a. POPS). Source: They’re produced by burning coal, oil, wood, and trash. This releases chemicals into the air, soil, and water. Although 95% of human’s dioxin exposure comes from eating animal fat (and 23% of that is from dairy) as well as from fish higher up on the food chain. Risk: Dioxins are linked to reproductive and developmental disorders, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, cancer, skin rashes and irritation, chloracne, and mild liver damage. Look for: There are hundreds of forms of dioxins but TCDD is the most common.
5. PFAS. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances substances) are nicknamed “forever chemicals.” They were introduced in 1946 when Dupont introduced the world to Teflon. Now there are over 9,000 different kinds. Source: Cosmetics (shaving cream, lotions, cleansers, etc.), sunscreens, nonstick cookware, the inside of microwave popcorn bags, unfiltered water, stain-resistant and waterproof clothes, candy wrappers, pesticides, and fast food packaging wrappers. Risk: PFAS are linked to heart disease, cancer, low infant birth weight, thyroid dysfunction, decreased vaccine response in kids, increased cholesterol, and damage to the immune system. (source and source and source)
6. Fragrances and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOCs are a group of hundreds of high-vapor-pressure chemicals that evaporate into the air. Often times VOC’s are lumped under the term “fragrance.” Source: Other common VOCs are deodorant, cosmetics, shampoos, new plastic, air fresheners, dry-cleaned clothes, , and cleaning products, Risk: VOCs have been linked to skin irritation, cancer, central nervous system damage, and kidney and liver damage. Fragrances, which oftentimes contain phthalates, have been linked to cancer, headaches, asthma, and hormone disruption. Look for: Avoid synthetic fragrances (products with essential oils are better). Look for Low-VOC or Zero-VOC paints and finishers. (source)
7. Heavy metals. Heavy metals include arsenic, chromium, cadmium, aluminum, lead, and mercury. Source: Drinking water, baby food, pesticides, brown rice, some seafood, cosmetics, and car exhaust. Risk: Heavy metal consumption is linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, blood vessel damage, abnormal heart rhythm, and Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Pesticides. Substances used to kill insects or other threats to plants and animals. Source: Foods, chemical lawn treatment such as Roundup), pest control sprays and other products, Risk: “According to the EPA, 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides and 30 percent of insecticides are known to be carcinogenic. Alarmingly, pesticide residues have been detected in 50 percent to 95 percent of U.S. foods.” (source) Pesticides are linked to miscarriage, birth defects, cancer, kidney damage, central nervous system impairments, and Parkinson’s.
How Toxins Affect Your Health
Toxins have different ways of wreaking havoc on the body. Many toxins are endocrine disruptors which increase or decrease the amount of a hormone in the body (e.g. raising testosterone or lowering estrogen). Other toxins have more of an impact on metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease. Still others we’re just beginning to learn about their effects and many, many more we are completely unaware of altogether.
The effects of toxins are often not attributed to the toxins. The average American who is eating from plastic lunch containers, keeping their car windows open in traffic, and drinking tap water likely isn’t blaming their diabetes, headaches, or high cholesterol on these factors. The first time for each of these probably won’t be an issue but there is likely a long, slow build starting with inflammation and oxidative stress and leading to nowhere good from there.
Some of the effects of toxic chemicals:
Allergies
Alzheimer’s Disease
Asthma
Behavioral issues
Cancer
Chloracne
Decreased sperm quality
Diabetes
Elevated inflammation
Headaches
Heart disease
High cholesterol
Infertility (in men and women)
Liver damage
Memory impairments
Obesity
Parkinson’s Disease
Skin issues
Stroke
Thyroid disease
What About Silicone?
While silicone is generally thought to be much safer than plastic, there are some caveats when it comes to the toxicity of silicone when booking. First we need to differentiate between silicon, silica, and silicone. While silicon is a natural element abundant in the Earth's crust, silica is a compound of silicon and oxygen, found in various forms like quartz and sand. Silicone, on the other hand, is a synthetic polymer derived from silicon, carbon, and/or oxygen. When it comes to the kitchen, the latter, silicone, is what people refer to. Despite being FDA-approved as food-safe since 1979, concerns have emerged regarding potential additives and agents used in the manufacturing process of silicone cookware.
Benefits of silicone include being reusable, resistant to cracking and fading, and requiring minimal greasing or oiling before use. Plus it's easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe, and resistant to staining and odor retention. But it's not all rainbows and unicorns.
A 2022 study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology looked at how much of the additives frmo the common silicone cupcake mold leaches into food. Researchers found that in low-quality molds there was leaching of BHT, a known carcinogen, as well as two other probable carcinogens, naphthalene and biphenyl. Additionally, dodecyl acrylate, known to irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs, was detected. The study highlighted a notable difference between low-quality silicone molds and higher-quality "platinum" silicone. While the former exceeded standards for off-gassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the latter, subjected to additional heat treatment, met safety standards for high-heat use and were approved for contact with food.
Additionally, nine European consumer organizations released a 2022 report examining the safety of silicone bakeware, particularly when used at high temperatures with high-fat foods. The study of 44 silicone molds revealed that 23% emitted contaminants into food, with two exceeding legal toxicity limits, while 82% contained concerning chemicals, including endocrine disruptors.
There was also a 2005 study that concluded that silicone baking products exhibit stability up to temperatures of 300°F, which raises concerns considering that many recipes require baking temperatures of 350°F and higher. They wrote,
"Even though silicone elastomers demonstrate a high degree of thermal stability and excellent resistance to aging, high temperatures lead to depolymerization of the elastomer, with subsequent volatilization and migration of certain substances. The few publications concerning the suitability of silicones as food contact materials have indeed shown that a certain quantity of substances migrates from silicone-based articles."
Therefore, when choosing silicone make sure to avoid cheap knock-offs, look for high-quality and third-party tested products, and avoid using silicone for cooking or baking over 300°F.
New Awareness, Same Impact
With nicknames like "everywhere chemical" and "forever chemical," it sounds like we're destined for doom. So many toxins found in so many things. The good news is now there's so much awareness. A combination of research and tragic calamities have brought the issues of toxins to light among the everyday person using them.
This global consumer awareness has promoted countries to regulate cosmetics and personal care products for the consumer. Unfortunately, however, the U.S. is lagging behind with over 80 countries enforcing more powerful restrictions. As this article states, “some of these nations have restricted or completely banned more than 1,600 chemicals from cosmetic products. By contrast, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned or restricted only nine chemicals for safety reasons.”
How to Avoid Toxins
That means the onus is on us to learn about the issue and take action to prevent both the short- and long-term negative health effects for ourselves and our families.
Start with the basics. We consume air, water, and food constantly and the quality of these determines the quality of our health. If these are compromised, so are you. Even something as simple as opening the windows can have a strong impact on your health. According to the EPA, “the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities.”
From there, proceed with the precautionary principle. Adopt conservative measures if there’s a lack of scientific evidence and it could impact your health.
Can you avoid all toxins all of the time? No, but the poison is in the dose so the more you come in contact with the toxins the greater the likelihood you’ll have health issues. Mitigate the toxins you’re most frequently exposed to by making incremental changes that are within your budget. And just because you might be heavily exposed to toxins in the past doesn’t mean you can’t change. A study found that even 3 days of eating food with minimal food packing had “substantial reductions in BPA and DEHP exposures.”
Books and mountains of research have been published on the topic of toxic exposure but not much of it ever gets out to the typical person. Through this series of posts, I'll break down specific strategies and recommendations based on the environment (kitchen, bathroom, office, car, etc.). Today I’ll list 10 simple approaches to start the journey.
10 Simple Ways to Decrease Toxins in Your Home
Have a “no-shoe” policy to avoid bringing lawn chemicals into the home.
Keep humidity below 60% with a dehumidifier.
Swap out plastic for wood, stainless steel, ceramic, and untreated wood.
Eat from cans less (rinse the food if you do).
Drink from cans less (use glass bottles or reusable bottles instead).
Use reusable water containers instead of plastic water bottles.
Never heat (microwave, dishwasher, stove, etc.) plastic (plates, “microwavable” meals, cling wrap, etc.).
Dust and vacuum the house often to limit dust.
Use houseplants that are NASA approved to filter the air.
Ventilate the house. Frequently open windows and doors, use exhaust fans and ceiling fans, and use an air purifier.
A Note on Greenwashing
Consumers are becoming more aware of these health concerns and are opting for products without toxins. Manufacturers are aware of this and have started “greenwashing” their products or making them appear environmentally friendly without actually changing the product. Marketing claims such as “non-toxic,” “eco-friendly,” “all-natural,” and “green” are now slapped on more and more labels, however, these claims can be empty since they’re not defined or regulated by the FDA.
What I do
I’ve always been health conscious but as I learned more about toxins in my 20’s I made small and incremental changes. My plastic lunch container turned into glass ones, I traded in my Nalgene water bottle for a Yeti, and organic food, milk, and coffee is the norm in our house. Incremental changes drastically fast-forwarded when I had kids as I did more homework, made more changes, and now my home feels safe.
I haven’t eliminated all exposure to toxins, though, and I don’t plan to. I won’t pass up a can of beer if there’s no glass and the world won’t burn if I eat a grain-fed burger off of a plastic plate at a BBQ. Life is about balance and stressing about the minutiae probably impacts you more than the noxious chemicals.
Learn More
To learn more about toxins, check out The Non-Toxic Living Guidebook: Hacks, Strategies, & Natural Products for Better Health. I wrote this comprehensive guide as a way to break down the complexity of toxins into a simple, easy-to-read format with practical tips and clickable links to the least toxic products I could find. Get your copy today and use the code MBD20 at checkout for a 20% discount. You can also get a paperback or hardcopy on Amazon.
More info on toxins broken down by location: