Shopping basket with detergent bottles and chemical cleaning supplies isolated on white
Article At a Glance:
• Toxins that can upset our children's compromised immune systems are lurking everywhere.
• Two particular chemicals to avoid that are common in households are Phthalates and Parabens
As parents of children with autism or individuals wanting to improve our health, we need to be aware that toxins that can negatively affect them are all around us. Not only are they in our food, but they're even in our normal environment through common products we likely encounter every day. These can range from cleaning agents to substances we apply to our skin. The products we buy have a direct effect on the toxicity of our homes, and here are two of the worst offenders:
Phthalates are toxins that have been linked to ADHD, breast cancer, obesity, behavioral issues, and a whole host of other problems. They are often lurking in cosmetics and air fresheners (such as wall plug-ins). Anytime you see the word “fragrance” on a product, you can almost be sure that it contains phthalates. And one of the worst things about them is that they are not required to be on labels. Instead of buying products that contain phthalates, we need to look for things that are organic and fragrance-free.
Parabens are another chemical to avoid, as the Environmental Protection Agency has linked them to metabolic, hormonal, developmental, and reproductive issues. Parabens are used to increase shelf-life and are found in things like certain sunscreens and shampoo. Thankfully, products with this toxin are required to list parabens on the label, so they're easier to avoid.
Friends, I'm not suggesting that we be paranoid or keep our kids in a bubble away from anything that could possibly ever cause a problem. We are real people living in the real world and can't live in constant fear. Still, there are certain triggers that we need to be aware of, work to eliminate, and find better alternatives.
*This website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by a healthcare professional.
References
The Toxin in Foods That Big Companies Don't Want You To Know About
Environmental Toxins and Your Health
The Alarming New Evidence About Chemicals And Plastics We Use At Home
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