By Lyn Brooks, Founder and Contributor to The Frugal Green Thumb
Are you concerned about the amount of dangerous, hidden chemicals in your everyday products?
A UN report released earlier in 2014 says that the man-made chemicals in products we use in everyday products such as toys, perfumes, beverage containers and more, are likely responsible for at least some cancers, birth defects and psychiatric problems. How do parents approach the use of chemicals in their homes? Here is our story of how we reduce the use of chemicals in our home.
UN Report Simply Confirms My Concerns
A recent UN report detailing the dangers to our health from the chemicals found in many everyday products comes as little surprise to me.
I have four children and have always been concerned about the chemicals and compounds that my family could be exposed to. Who really knows what leaches into our food from Teflon, or into our water from plastic bottles? What is in many soaps and cosmetics, or even most of the pre-packaged foods found in restaurants and grocery stores? Due to my concerns about the effects of long term exposure to these compounds, I've always taken steps to reduce our exposure, and this report simply confirms that my concerns and precautions were well founded.
Steps My Family Takes to Avoid Chemicals in Everyday Products
To avoid chemicals, we've always used cast iron and stainless steel cookware. We also grow some of our own produce and we buy produce from trusted local sources to avoid pesticides. We also prepare most of our meals from whole foods. We even buy the more expensive free-range meat and eggs, from local sources when possible. I've always tried to choose soap and cosmetics made from natural ingredients and preservative free.
To avoid chemicals, we've always used cast iron and stainless steel cookware. We also grow some of our own produce and we buy produce from trusted local sources to avoid pesticides. We also prepare most of our meals from whole foods. We even buy the more expensive free-range meat and eggs, from local sources when possible. I've always tried to choose soap and cosmetics made from natural ingredients and preservative free.
As awareness about the potential dangers of hidden chemicals in common items has risen, it's become a bit easier over the years to reduce our family's exposure to these dangerous compounds. When dining out, we try to choose restaurants that are smaller, family run enterprises that use whole foods rather than frequent the mass chains that have drive-thrus. I make homemade laundry detergent without dye or harsh chemicals, and use vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice to clean.
I worry about my older children in college, and the chemicals they must be exposed to living in the dorms and eating highly processed food from the school's cafeteria or restaurants. No matter anyone's age, everyone should be concerned about the dangers from chemical exposure in everyday products.
What steps do you take to reduce your exposure to dangerous chemicals that might be lurking in our food, water and household items? I love receiving feedback from my readers, so please be certain to use the comments section below to share what steps you take to avoid chemicals in everyday products.
This is an update to an article by the author that was originally published on Yahoo! in early 2014.
What steps do you take to reduce your exposure to dangerous chemicals that might be lurking in our food, water and household items? I love receiving feedback from my readers, so please be certain to use the comments section below to share what steps you take to avoid chemicals in everyday products.
This is an update to an article by the author that was originally published on Yahoo! in early 2014.
