What Toxic Chemicals are Lurking In Your Products?

Next time you’re at the stove about to cook some tasty eggs for breakfast, you might want to think twice about using a non-stick pan.

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and overviewed on the National Resources Defense Council website, states that the toxic chemicals found in many common household products are impairing our immune system in a big way, especially in children.

The study looked at perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). These chemicals are found in tons of products that most of us have in our homes. They’re in the non-stick coating on your pans, waterproofing chemicals, furniture, food packaging, stain-resistent coatings on clothing, the shiny coating on pizza boxes, inside microwave popcorn bags.

The study, conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, examined the effect of PFCs on mothers and their unborn children. What they found was that mothers who were exposed to PFC during pregnancy damaged the immune systems of their children; later on in life, these children were more vulnerable to disease and sickness.

There are other risks as well. NPR reports that children who are exposed to PFCs are more likely to have a poor response to vaccinations. And, Mother Nature Network (MNN) reports that PFCs are often found at high levels in office environments, thanks to cubicle construction, carpeting, and glues. These PFCs end up in our blood, and can take years to metabolize and eliminate.

What You Can Do About PFCs

1. Open the Windows

PFCs can build up in the air from the offgassing of new carpeting and furniture. Opening the windows whenever you can is a great way to clear the fumes away and bring in some fresh air.

2. Avoid Non-Stick Pans

I’ll be the first to admit that non-stick pans are just plain convenient. But, they are bad for us. Try to avoid non-stick pans whenever you can.

I use several cast-iron skillets instead of non-stick. Once you know how to season a cast-iron skillet correctly, and clean it to keep that seasoning is, over time that skillet will get as “non-stick” as the chemically-coated pans. And, it’s far healthier!

3. Pick Up Houseplants

Houseplants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but NASA has proven they purify toxic air. This includes getting chemicals like PFCs out of the environment. Some of the best plants are bamboo palm, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, English ivy, and the spider plant. And really, NASA says, any tropical plant will help purify your indoor air effectively.