We constantly hear about toxins threats through magazine articles, on the World Wide Web and on TV and radio. But what are toxins exactly? Where do they come from, and how can we eliminate, or at least neutralise them?

Whether we like it or not, toxins in various forms are present all around us and affect every aspect of our lives. They could represent a potentially serious threat to our health if we don’t learn to take some simple, yet necessary precautions.

Let’s take an objective look at the toxins our body is exposed to on a daily basis, and explore effective ways to prevent and counteract toxin damage.

Toxin exposure falls into 4 main categories:

* Environmental toxins
* Household toxins
* Food toxins
* Lifestyle toxins
* Conclusion

Environmental Toxins

Industrial pollution from car fumes, factories and combustion pollutants, cannot be ignored. A great percentage of pesticides and insecticides used on fruit and vegetables are known to be carcinogenic. Alarmingly, pesticide residues have been detected in up to 75% of U.S. foods.

Industrial pollutants cause the poor air quality in big cities and industrial zones, which we know as smog and soot. Over one hundred and seventy million people currently live in counties where air quality standards are not met, facing increased risks of heart and lung disease and premature mortality. Most of the 20 million people suffering from asthma also live in areas with poor air quality.

“These health-destroying environmental factors bring about inevitable derangement in all the vital bodily functions, with consequent biochemical imbalance in the tissues; autotoxemia; chronic under-supply of oxygen to the cells; poorer digestion, ineffective assimilation of nutrients…and, of course, gradually lowered resistance to disease.”

Dr. Paavlo Airola, author: How to get Well: Handbook of Natural Healing.

Lead poisoning is one of the foremost environmental health threats to children. Those living in industrial and metropolitan areas have enough lead in their blood to reduce intelligence and attention span, cause learning disabilities, ADD, and permanently damage a child’s brain and nervous system.

Going for breaks and long walks in nature, especially forests -whenever possible- while making a conscious effort to breathe deeply, will re-supply the body cells and blood with vital oxygen that trees so graciously provide to us.

Household Toxins

Little actions and small changes go a long way, when it comes to safety at home.

The most innocent items such as furniture, TV sets, other electrical appliances, carpets and rugs often contain stain-repellent or fire-retardant chemicals. Many of the ones used as flame-retardants (brominated flame-retardants) persist for a long time in the home environment, eventually accumulating in our bodies. Research has shown that they can potentially disrupt our natural hormonal system over time.

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) contribute to indoor air pollution and cause ozone depletion. Some, like alcoholic compounds, can even be explosive.

The term VOC is generally applied to organic solvents, certain paint additives, aerosol spray propellants, fuels (such

as gasoline, and kerosene), petroleum distillates, dry cleaning products, and many other industrial and consumer products ranging from office supplies to building materials.

They have been known to cause headache, sore throat, nausea, and drowsiness. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of VOCs can lead to cancer.

HOW TO MINIMISE YOUR EXPOSURE TO TOXINS IN YOUR HOME ENVIRONMENT

Toxic Home Furnishings

Be wary of and try to avoid:

* All types of synthetic carpets, like carpet underlay or upholstery with synthetic foams, foam rubber, latex or plastic. Common floor coverings are most often primary contributors to indoor air contamination. This is due to the VOC constituents present in the fabrication of the materials, such as carpet padding and carpeting, and in the adhesives used to apply carpet padding and tile.

* Furniture or carpets with chemical finish, such as stain repellents and brominated flame-retardants. At all cost, avoid re-carpeting your home or ripping out carpets while you are pregnant.

Carpets made from organic natural fibres such as wool, cotton, rattan or jute are a far better option. Not only do they look and feel nicer, they’re also much safer for you and the environment. Choose curtains, carpets and upholstery containing little or no brominated flame retardants or stain repellents.

* When buying a PC or monitor, look for the TCO 95 Eco-label, which limits the amount of brominated flame retardant in the product.

For a safer, less toxic environment at home:

* Substitute carpets for wooden, ceramic, or cork (Linoleum) flooring. If you must have carpet, choose one made from natural fibres rather than the synthetic variety.

* Instead of using artificial air freshener, open your windows wide, whenever possible. If you can’t keep windows open, use natural odour eaters. A bowl of baking soda effectively absorbs odours. Alternatively, use natural fragrances such as potpourri or lavender, or better yet, burn essential oils for enhanced beneficial effects.

In Your Bedroom

Furnishings in the bedroom equally contain chemicals, such as flame retardants and stain repellents. Most foam bed mattresses, synthetic curtains, upholstery or carpets almost invariably have stain repellents and flame-retardants.

Even the clothes you keep in your bedroom, when dry-cleaned, emit toxic chemicals!

For safety in the bedroom avoid:

* Soft furnishings with chemical finishes such as stain repellents and flame-retardants.

* Buying clothes that can only be dry-cleaned if possible, as well as sending your clothes for dry-cleaning too frequently.

* Try not to keep too many electrical and electronic appliances in your bedroom such as computers, TVs and hi-fi systems at the same time.

If you’ve just redecorated your home, or moved into a newly decorated one, airing it before you live in it will dilute the chemicals during their most potent stage. However, high levels of VOCs will outgas for months and in many cases, will continue to outgas for years.

(Information courtesy of the www.wwf.org)
Original post by RGNewman, MD