When it comes to household chemicals, we tend to think of things like bleach, cleaning products and pesticides. But did you know that common household items like plastic containers, light bulbs and even your furniture could contain chemicals that could be harmful to your health?The modern home is full of synthetic chemicals that are designed to make our lives easier and more comfortable. However, these chemicals are not good for us and can be harmful if we are exposed to them on a regular basis. That’s why it’s important to reduce your exposure to chemicals in the home as much as possible. There are several simple things you can do to reduce your exposure to chemicals:
Change your light bulbs to LED bulbs.
Lighting accounts for about 20% of your home’s energy usage, so making small changes in this area can make a big difference in your monthly bill. One of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure to chemicals is to change the light bulbs in your house to LED bulbs.LED bulbs use about 70% less energy than traditional bulbs and last about 10 times longer. LED bulbs also contain no mercury or lead, which are harmful to humans and the environment. There are many different types of LED bulbs available, so it’s important to shop around to find the best ones for your needs.
Make sure your furniture is stain-free.
People often overlook the importance of stain-resistant furniture in their home. However, the chemicals used to protect synthetic materials like plastic, metal and fabric can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to them on a regular basis.For example, the chemicals used on plastic furniture may contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt the endocrine system and have been linked to reduced sperm quality in men, birth defects and even early puberty in young girls.To avoid this, look for furniture that is stain-resistant rather than stain-proof. Stain-resistant furniture is less likely to be made with harmful chemicals.
Only buy non-toxic cleaners.
The majority of cleaning products on the market are made with harmful chemicals like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and phthalates.When buying cleaning products, look for products that are labelled “non-toxic” or “biodegradable.” Unfortunately, the majority of non-toxic cleaning products are more expensive than traditional cleaning products.However, the cost of cleaning your home with non-toxic cleaning products is likely to be much less than the cost of dealing with the health issues caused by exposure to these chemicals.
Only use non-toxic pesticides.
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill pests in gardens and around the home. However, many of these chemicals are harmful to humans and animals and can be difficult to remove from the body if you are exposed to them.For example, the EPA has identified pesticides as one of the top 10 chemicals to avoid if you are pregnant.If you have a garden, it is important to use non-toxic pesticides to protect yourself and your family from harmful chemicals.If you must use pesticides, make sure you follow the directions carefully and wear the right protective gear to avoid exposure to these chemicals.
Change your diet to reduce your exposure to pesticides.
Pesticide residue on fruits and vegetables can be harmful to humans, so it’s important to reduce your exposure to pesticides as much as possible.One of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure to pesticides is to change your diet to focus on organic produce.Organic produce is not treated with pesticides and is free from harmful chemicals.While organic produce may be more expensive, the cost is likely to be less than the cost of dealing with the health issues caused by exposure to pesticides.
Conclusion
The modern home is full of synthetic chemicals that are designed to make our lives easier and more comfortable. However, these chemicals are not good for us and can be harmful if we are exposed to them on a regular basis. To reduce your exposure to chemicals, there are several simple things you can do: change your light bulbs to LED bulbs, make sure your furniture is stain-free, only buy non-toxic cleaners, only use non-toxic pesticides and change your diet to reduce your exposure to pesticides.