Household Toxins

ByDr. Glen Reed Posted on Updated on

Good morning, friends! It’s Monday again, and I’ve got some more motivation for you. This week, I’ve been reading about air quality, and a study that crossed my desk showed that we spend 90% of our time indoors. Yet, often when we think about air quality, we focus on the outdoors without considering the quality of air in our homes.

Did you know that the air inside our homes can be 2.5 times more polluted than the air outside? This is the average for North America. We’re breathing in more pollutants inside our homes than outside. Today, I want to share some tips on how to improve the air quality inside our homes.

Poor indoor air quality can cause numerous health concerns, including skin and eye irritations, gastrointestinal upset, endocrine effects (where products mimic hormones in our bodies), and even carcinogenic effects. So, it’s essential to clear out as many pollutants as we can.

Let’s look at the top four most common toxic ingredients that you might find in your home:

  1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: This is a foaming agent found in toothpaste and soaps.
  2. 1,4-Dioxane: Found in varnishes, paints, and cosmetics.
  3. Nonylphenol Ethoxylates: These are in detergents and shampoos.
  4. Phosphates: Commonly seen in detergents, shampoos, and general household cleaners.

Here are some steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality:

Avoid Unnecessary Products: We often bring scents and sprays into our homes thinking they create a pleasant environment. However, they could be negatively affecting our health. So, try to avoid unnecessary products.

Air Out Your Home: There’s a bit more science behind airing out your home than you might think. You want to bring fresh air in without introducing more pollution. Try to do this after it has rained or after a high wind storm when the outside air has been turned over as well. Also, aim to do this first thing in the morning or last thing at night and avoid opening windows during rush hour, especially if you live in the city.

Remember, our homes should be a place of comfort and safety. It’s up to us to ensure that they’re also healthy environments. I hope these tips help you breathe easier and live healthier!