Common Household ToxinsHousehold toxins are a bigger problem than most people realize. On this page, I'll be sharing a list of dangerous toxins that may be lurking in your home. Some of the toxins that may be polluting your home environment come from ingredients in products that may seem perfectly safe enough to use every day. Other toxins may come from chemical products you may use on a regular basis to get your home sparkling clean. 
Many toxins and chemicals in your home environment may not cause problems right away. At least not any problems that you can detect. Over time, household toxins can build up in your body and overload your system. Many common household toxins that you'll find in the average home can cause some serious health problems. New chemicals and materials are being produced all the time. Industry is moving forward, but what is the cost to our health? More and more people are becoming sensitive and sick from exposure to pollutants outside and inside their own homes. You may not be able to control everything that goes on in the world, but you can choose which products you use in your home. You can choose to eliminate as many sources of household toxins as you possibly can. Keep in mind though, that it may not be possible to eliminate 100% of the toxins. If you are like most people, you may not be able to make drastic changes right away. That is okay.
Whatever you do, don't make this another area of stress in your life. After all, every single change that you make (no matter how small it is) WILL help to reduce the amount of household toxins that you are exposed to. No doubt, that will help to reduce the chemical burden on your body. Here is a list of just some of the household toxins that you may find in your home:ArsenicArsenic is a chemical element that occurs naturally in the environment. Where it is found: contaminated drinking water, copper-chromium-arsenate treated lumber Possible health effects: developmental delays, lowered IQ, behavioral problems Bisphenol A Where it is found: plastic baby bottles, teethers, some plastic water bottles, lining of metal food cans, some other products made from plastic Possible health effects: endocrine problems, cancer, infertility, hyperactivity Carbon Monoxide Where it is found: gas stoves, auto exhaust (from nearby traffic or your garage attached to your house), leaking Possible health effects: headaches, dizziness, cardiovascular failure, nervous system failure, death Chlorine Bleach Where it is found: household cleaners, chlorine bleach Possible health effects: eye irritation, skin irritation, respiratory problems Formaldehyde Where it is found: anything made from particleboard, furniture, carpets, some latex paints, dish washing liquids, carpet cleaners, some permanent press fabrics, fabric softeners, adhesives, glues, nail polish, nail hardener Possible health effects: nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sore throat, burning eyes, burning nose Lead Where it is found: leaded crystal, old paint, tap water from lead pipes (mostly in older homes) Possible health effects: loss of appetite, fatigue, constipation, abdominal pain, insomnia, headaches, irritability, developmental delays in children, neurological problems, cancer, reproductive problems Perchloroethylene (Perc) Where it is found: newly dry cleaned clothing Possible health effects: drowsiness, loss of coordination, mild memory loss, dizziness Perfluroinated Chemicals (PFC) Where they are found: microwave popcorn bags, non-stick pans, carpets, scratch and stain resistant materials, fabric and cleaning products Possible health effects: developmental problems in children, may cause cancer Pesticides Where they are found: food (mostly non-organic produce), bug sprays, grass that has been sprayed Possible health effects: nerve damage, cancer, birth defects, developmental problems, reproductive problems Phthalates Where they are found: plastics (bottles, toys, storage containers, teethers, shower curtains, plastic bags, food wraps), cosmetics, personal care products (nail polish, soap, perfume, deodorant, shampoo, hair spray), detergents, and vinyl flooring Possible health effects: developmental problems in children, hormone disruption, reproductive problems Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Where it is found: shower curtains, bottles, imitation leather, flooring, window frames, window blinds, pipes Possible health effects: liver damage, damage to your lungs, central nervous system problems, reproductive problems Triclosan Where it is found: liquid hand soaps, dish detergents, cleaning products, some toothpastes, toys, and bedding Possible health effects: endocrine system dysfunction, immune system dysfunction Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Where they are found: cleaning products, hair spray, cosmetics, deodorants, perfume, cleaning products, carpets, paint, paint strippers, varnishes, air fresheners, dry cleaning. VOC's are released into the air as gases. They contribute to smog. Possible health effects: cancer, allergies, asthma, neurological problems, reproductive problems, developmental problems I will continue to update and expand this list of household toxins. Be sure to bookmark it and check back often!
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