Everything has toxins. This article is dumb to me. My grandfather lived to be 101 and he ate canned food and did all kinds of stuff. His answer to that was do everything in moderation. I think this is getting taken too far. The amount of toxins in many things is minimal. The reason animals that they test get cancer and such is because they expose them to high levels of the toxins. Come on people quit living like everything is going to kill you.
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Nine Ways to Avoid Household Toxins
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Not all plastics contain BPA, but because it can leach into food when heated, Baker suggests that consumers avoid heating foods in plastic containers. "If you can avoid heating plastic, it's probably a good thing to do." She suggests using glass or ceramic containers for heating food instead. BPA can also leach into food when it is scratched or worn; so to be safe, if you have a water bottle or other plastic container, discard it if it becomes scratched or clouded.
6. Use PBDE-Free Electronics. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) are a family of flame retardants; two types of the chemical were once added to furniture, car upholstery and mattresses, but were voluntarily taken off the market by manufacturers after concerns were raised about their toxicity. Another kind of PBDE remains on the market however, and according to Baker, "it is equally as problematic as the one voluntarily removed from the market." The chemical, most commonly found in TVs and computer monitors, is stirred into the equipment's plastic and can heat up over time, causing the material to break away and settle into the dust. Many manufactures have stopped using PBDEs for electronics, but not all have. Check with the manufacturer to determine if your goods contain PBDE. You can find a list of PBDE-free products at the Environmental Working Group’s Web site.
7. Don ' t Use Paint Made With Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). VOCs include a variety of chemicals and are found in some household products like paint and paint strippers. They are emitted as gases and have been associated with allergies, breathing problems and asthma, and are suspected to cause cancer, according to the EPA. Fortunately, low-VOC and no-VOC paints are readily available.
8. Patronize a Perc-Free Dry Cleaner. Perchloroethylene (perc) is also a VOC and is most commonly used in dry cleaning. The EPA identifies perc as a known human toxin and "a precursor to ground-level ozone (smog)." It usually enters the body through inhalation and remains stored in fat tissue. While many dry cleaners have begun using alternative cleaning practices (the EPA has ordered a phaseout of perc machines in residential buildings by 2020, and California will eliminate all use of perc by 2020), it's best to ask what chemicals they use. If they use perc, make sure you hang your newly cleaned clothes outside for a day to air out the chemical.
9. Dust and Vacuum Weekly. Baker says that toxins like PBDE can settle into the dust in your house, so to be extra safe, it's best to keep your house clean through regular dusting and vacuuming. This is especially important if you are pregnant, have a young child or have a pet, which can transfer the dust through its movements.
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