Better Living: Avoiding Toxins

With over 80,000 registered chemicals in the United States, it is easy to imagine how we can come in contact with any of them throughout our daily lives. They can be found in anywhere from the air we breathe, to the food we eat, the water we drink, and even in our cosmetics! Some of these chemicals can act as toxins in our bodies and damage not only ourselves, but the little ones growing inside us as well. It is important to remain vigilant and aware of what products we consume on a daily basis as it could very well harm us. Now with a number like 80,000, this is easier said than done… 

In this post we aim to highlight the most common chemicals and toxins that we come across regularly. It is important to note that while this may not be a comprehensive list, it is an excellent place to start and learn about how these chemicals are used in our daily lives and methods of detecting and avoiding them when necessary.   

Chemical & Origin

Click on each chemical for more information:

• Mercury (Heavy Metal)
  • Byproduct of: industrial waste, coal burning, waste
• Lead (Heavy Metal)
  • Prior to 1978, lead was used in: paint, gas, water pipes; used in some cosmetics, jewelry and pottery
• Cadmium (Heavy Metal)
  • Used in making: rechargeable batteries, paint pigment, plastic production; waste product of mining; absorbed in the soil; seen in tobacco smoke
• Pesticides (Organophosphates)
  • Chemicals used to destroy pests (e.g., weeds, fungi, mosquitoes, insects, etc.)
• Bisphenol A AKA BPA (Endocrine Disrupting Chemical)
  • Used in making plastic, canned foods, cash register receipts, reusable food/drink containers
• Phthalates (Endocrine Disrupting Chemical)
  • Chemical used in making plastic softer and less brittle; also seen in some personal care products
• Polybrominated Diethyl Ethers (PBDE) (Endocrine Disrupting Chemical)
  • Used as a flame retardant in upholstered furniture, textiles/carpeting, some electronics
• Air Pollution

Thalia R. Segal, M.D and Linda C. Giudice, M.D., Ph.D. Before the Beginning: Environmental Exposures and Reproductive and Obstetrical Outcomes, Fertility and Sterility Vol. 112, No.4 October 2019.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) www.acog.org