According to research, out of 80,000 chemicals used in everyday goods, approximately 1,300 are considered hormone disruptors. We are exposed to a myriad of chemicals in the air, water and food, day in and day out; and while the exposure to many of those is not harmful, the effects of others can be rather hazardous to our health. What’s more, some of the chemicals in your homes can wreak havoc on your health, potentially causing cancer, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), early puberty, autism, obesity, and other serious health issues.
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor. It mimics natural hormones, and can have a negative effect on reproductive development. Namely, BPA is a hormonal chemical that acts like estrogen, and it can lead to decreased sperm production, early puberty in girls as well as cause major fertility problems, if one is exposed to it for a long time. What’s more, several studies have linked the exposure to Bisphenol A to increased chances of miscarriage, as well as to diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. BPA is found in the lining of food cans, and the chemical is used in many plastic products. Avoid too much exposure to BPA by choosing fresh food or, even better, cook your own meals.
Arsenic
A well-known carcinogen, linked especially to lung, kidney, bladder, and skin cancers ‒ arsenic is found in various foods. Namely, organic and inorganic arsenic causes various health problems, while inorganic arsenic raises the risk of cancer. It can be found in apple and grape juice, as well as in rice and rice products. The best way to avoid exposure to arsenic is to limit the consumption of rice and other foods that contain a lot of arsenic. Don’t feed your infant more than one serving of infant rice cereal a day, and feed them cereals that contain lower levels of arsenic, as corn grits, oatmeal and wheat.
Asbestos
If you inhale asbestos fibres, they can easily stay trapped in the lungs for a long time. Eventually, the fibres can cause scarring and inflammation, which can be hazardous to your health. You may end up with breathing problems or some serious complications. According to IARC, asbestos causes a rare cancer of the thin membranes that line the chest and abdomen ‒ mesothelioma, and cancers of the larynx, lung, and ovary. Therefore, if asbestos was used during the construction of your house, it would be best to hire professionals that perform asbestos removal in Melbourne, and make your home a safe and healthy place to live in.
Lead
Lead poisoning can be very dangerous for your health, causing stunted growth, nervous system damage, and kidney damage. Until the late 1970s, lead was a constant additive to paint, after which it has been banned in products made for household use, as well as in the products marketed to children. Furthermore, lead also interferes with the hormones that keep our stress levels regulated. While paints were the main source of lead exposure, it can still be found in tap water, considering it runs through old pipes. Try to avoid exposure to lead as much as you can, install a lead-removing water filter, and eat healthy, because a healthy diet will prevent your body from absorbing too much lead.
Even though your home may seem like a healthy and safe environment, the truth is you’re surrounded with various toxic chemicals, just waiting to attack your organism. Therefore, make sure you stay away from products that contain arsenic, remove asbestos from your home, limit the exposure to lead and Bisphenol A, and you’ll be at lower risk of cancer and various other health problems.
