Toxins in Your Kitchen
Your kitchen is an area that houses TONS of chemicals and one that finding clean swaps for is pretty simple!
What’s lurking while you cook?
To start, let’s think about all the products you’re likely using in your kitchen on a daily basis. I’m guessing - cooking pans, food storage containers, plastic wrap or bags to store leftovers, dish soap, and cleaning solution. Am I right?! Maybe you don’t cook often, but I’d bet you use a pan once in a while. So with those products in mind, here are the different chemicals you’re likely exposing yourself to:
perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) - exposure from non-stick cookware that is an endocrine-disrupting chemical and linked to thyroid issues, cancer, and developmental disorders, infertility, and reproductive toxicity.
phthalates - used in plastic food containers, these endocrine-disrupting chemicals are shown to leach into your food and mimic natural estrogen in your body. Phthalates are shown in studies to cause thyroid issues, impact levels of reproductive hormones in men and women to include testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (think fertility!). Phthalates are also shown to cross the placenta in pregnant women causing detrimental exposure to the fetus.
formaldehyde & 1,4 dioxane - both of these chemicals are often by-products released from ingredients used in cleaning products. The main issue with house cleaning products is that companies don’t have to disclose the ingredients used in their products. Studies show many household cleaning products often contain these chemicals or give off fumes from these chemicals when used. Both formaldehyde and 1,4 dioxane are labeled as likely carcinogens by the EPA. Additionally, companies often add fragrance which is considered a company’s trade secret and another way they can hide harmful chemicals. Phthalates (listed above and often found is plastics) are also commonly used in fragrance!
So what can you do to avoid these chemicals in your kitchen? Check out my blog post here on my recommended kitchen swaps!
Also, check out the EWG’s guide to cleaning labels to better understand how to choose safer options!
Live. Life. Clean.
Xo Erica