One of the best ways to stay healthy is to limit exposure to toxic substances. This means taking the time to research when and how you come into contact with toxic substances. Then you’ve got to make an effort to reduce exposure.
Unfortunately, toxic substances are everywhere. They’re in food, water supplies and even paint, but it's relatively easy to avoid them.
Here are five harmful substances and how to avoid them.
Radon
According to the EPA, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among those who don’t smoke. And it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in general. Radon exposure causes 21,000 people to die of lung cancer every year. And smoking combined with radon exposure raises the chance of developing lung cancer even more than smoking alone.
So just what is radon? According to the American Cancer Society, radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. It forms in soil and rock and can find its way underground (like in our basements), into the air and onto the surface of water.
In some buildings, high levels of radon can be found. This is why building inspectors regularly test basements for radon. When it comes to radon in homes, testing should be a priority. If you don’t want to hire an inspector, purchase a home radon test.
If you do find that radon levels in your home are high, talk to your doctor so that your health can be monitored. And call your state EPA office immediately to find a qualified professional who can rectify the situation.
Arsenic
Arsenic is a scary substance that can cause several different types of cancers. According to Parents magazine, arsenic can be found in fruit juices, like apple and grape juice – popular among kids. It can be found in rice and products that contain rice and is said to reside in pressure-treated wood that was made before 2003.
To avoid arsenic exposure, Parents magazine suggests choosing water, milk or fruit instead of juice. And Consumer Reports says that parents should limit rice cereal fed to infants to one serving a day. Choose cereals with low arsenic levels, like wheat, oatmeal and corn grits. Plus, wash rice off before you cook it in a ratio of 6:1 (six cups of water to one cup of rice).
Lead
Lead poisoning is a serious condition that can lead to many health issues. Lead can be found in two common places in the home. It is common to find lead paint in older homes, and water pipes may contain lead as well.
Lead paint wasn’t banned until 1978, so if you live in a home that was built before that year, you want to make sure that paint isn’t peeling. Further, if you’re remodeling an older home, find a lead-safe certified contractor. And stay away from work areas in which paint may be found while remodeling is being done.
Lead in water is another story. According to Consumer Reports, lead can get into the water by way of old or corroded pipes. However, it's odorless, colorless and tasteless, so it's important to test.
If your home was built before 1986, the pipes may contain lead because lead-free pipes weren’t required until this year. So have a lab test the water if your home is older, and follow water reports for your community.
Water filters may be used to improve safety and flavor. Consumer Reports has tested options and recommends two choices: the Clear2O carafe and Culligan filter FM-15A.
Mercury
According to Men’s Journal, about 90,000 people may be unaware of the fact that they are living with mercury poisoning. That’s terrifying.
The most common cause of mercury poisoning is fish. That said, you don’t have to call it quits on seafood altogether to lower the risk of mercury poisoning. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides three useful tips for those who are in high-risk groups (like pregnant women). And you can use these guidelines if you’re looking to reduce your exposure to mercury in general.
First, refrain from eating fish that harbor high levels of mercury. While most fish contain some mercury, four types of fish have the highest levels. These are shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.
Next, eat 12 ounces or two fish meals a week that consist of fish or shellfish that contain lower levels of mercury. Common examples of these fish are said to be shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish. White tuna (albacore) is higher in mercury than canned light tuna, so choose this option just once a week and limit your consumption to six ounces.
Keep an eye on mercury levels of fish caught in your community. Monitor what experts are saying about levels found in fish in local lakes, rivers and coastal areas. And if you can’t find this information, limit your consumption to six ounces or one meal a week of fish caught locally. And don’t eat any other fish during weeks when you eat locally.
BPA and Phthalates
BPAs and phthalates are plastic additives. That’s why health experts cite concerns about plastics in general.
According to Parents magazine, BPAs and phthalates act like hormones found in the human body. As a result, they disrupt the endocrine system. Consequently, BPAs have been shown to cause puberty to occur earlier than it should in young women, and phthalates are thought to contribute to low testosterone levels and reproductive issues in men.
The good news is that these additives aren’t in all plastics. According to Parents, new baby bottles and sippy cups no longer contain either of these harmful substances. However, Parents says that they are still used in food and beverage containers, bottled formula and on store receipts. Plus, they’re often used in items that we carry or wear, like backpacks and raincoats.
To avoid these harmful substances, Parents suggests avoiding using plastic containers in the microwave. Purchase food containers that are marked “BPA-free.” And when it comes to kids’ items, look for a declaration that items are “PVC-free.” Finally, steer clear of hygiene products for kids that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.