Reducing Envirotoxins in Your Home by Lori Zitzmann What are envirotoxins? Envirotoxins are chemicals from the environment that enter the body through breathing, skin absorption, or orally.  In today’s highly polluted world, we are all affected by envirotoxins.  Since World War II, over 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced.  Less than 2% of these have been tested for toxicity, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.   In fact, the majority of modern chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.  Although the full health effects of all these chemicals remain unknown, children, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are considered to be most vulnerable.   Where do you find envirotoxins? The average home contains 62 toxic chemicals.  In fact, a recent EPA survey revealed that indoor air was two to five times more polluted than outdoor air!  We breathe in ten to twenty thousand liters of air per day. Ninety percent of that is indoor air for most people.    Common sources of indoor pollutants include household products such as paints, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleansers, disinfectants, air fresheners, stored automotive products and dry cleaned clothes. Other sources of indoor toxins are gas, oil, wood or coal combustion, tobacco, building materials and furnishings, damp carpets, pressed wood, personal care products, and cleaning products.   Houses today are so energy efficient that out-gassing chemicals have nowhere to go, thus building up inside the house.   What can happen if you are exposed? A recently published study found widespread toxicity in common household dust.  Seventy homes in seven states were sampled.  Toxic compounds were found in every sample, including phthalates, alkylphenols, organotins and others. These substances have been linked to adverse effects on sexual development through hormone disruption in animals.  The main source of these chemicals is thought to be from household products and cleaning supplies.   What makes household cleaners and products so toxic? Some common household chemicals that are known carcinogens include formaldehyde, phenols, benzene, and toluene.  Formaldehyde can be found in room deodorizers, furniture polish, floor wax, and dishwashing detergents.  New furniture and carpets can also outgas formaldehyde. Mattress covers, wrinkle free linens and some clothing are treated with formaldehyde.  If sensitive, these can cause coughing, skin, and eye problems.  Bedding and children’s sleepwear can outgas chemicals such as toluene and polyurethane vapors.   Phenols are major indoor pollutants. Toilet bowl cleaners, all-purpose cleaning sprays and oven cleaners all contain phenols.   Industrial solvents are considered by some to be the most damaging of envirotoxins.  Benzene and propyl alcohol are examples.  Dichlorobenzene is used widely in room deodorizers and moth repellents.  Solvents such as these can affect the thymus, thereby directly impacting our immune system.    Popular brand name cleaners Ajax , Windex, and Lysol come with their own set of toxins.  Ajax contains crystalline silica, a carcinogenic mineral.   Lysol has dioxins and phenols. Windex contains butyl cellosolve (a common cleaning chemical), which is absorbed through the skin and is toxic to liver and kidneys.   Won’t the label warn me if I’m using something toxic? When you read labels, you will be surprised at how many of your cleaning supplies include toxic chemicals in some form.  Household cleaners have become the number one cause of poisoning accidents in children. They far exceed medication poisonings.    It is important to keep in mind, however, that not all toxic ingredients are required to appear on a product labels.  Companies are only required to list “active” ingredients on labels.  Ninety-nine percent of all ingredients in consumer products are termed inert or inactive, protected by manufacturing trade secrets.  However, many are extremely toxic. No warnings are required on products that can affect your health over time, only on products that are immediately harmful or fatal if swallowed or inhaled.     What can we do? We cannot live on the planet today and totally avoid these substances.  But, we can make lifestyle choices, especially within our homes and families, to decrease our exposure.  We can begin cleaning up our home environment by drinking filtered water and eating organic foods as much as possible.  Parents can further help protect their children from developing neurological, endocrine, and immune system problems by choosing non-toxic consumer products.  Bedding and sleepwear can be replaced with 100% natural cotton products.  Chemical-free and non-toxic options are available, but you may need to shop around for them.  Making your own non-toxic cleaning supplies can even be a fun home project for all family members.     Create your own non-toxic cleaning supplies   Creating your own non-toxic cleaning supplies is easy and quick. Besides that, it is much cheaper than buying a commercial brand. Here are some basic recipes to get you started:   All-around cleanser: Mix 3 teaspoons borax, 4 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar, and 2 cups of hot water (so that the borax will dissolve) in a refillable spray bottle.  Shake well.  You can use this to clean just about any kind of light mess.  Works best when used warm.    All purpose floor cleaner:  Mix ¼ cup liquid soap and ¼ cup lemon juice in 2 gallons of warm water.   Bleach alternative:  Use hydrogen peroxide instead of chlorine bleach.   Tub and Tile cleaner (for mold and mildew):  Mix 1&1/2 cups of baking soda with ½ cup liquid soap in a bowl.  Dilute with ¼ to ½ cup white distilled vinegar. Stir with a fork until the lumps are gone.  Pour into a 16-ounce squeeze container.  Shake well before using.  Also works well as grease cleaner!    Glass Cleaner:  Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a pump spray bottle.  As a second choice, you can also use club soda.   Furniture Polish:  Use one part white distilled vinegar and three parts olive oil.  Add a few drops of natural lemon oil.    Kitchen Cleaner (Disinfectant): Mix 2 Tablespoons Tea Tree oil (or grapefruit seed extract) with two cups water in a spray bottle.  This is also a great anti-mold spray.    If you’d rather buy your cleaners off the shelf, try the commercial brand Seventh Generation. They disclose all ingredients (all of which are non-toxic) on their labels.    RESOURCES Books: Rapp, DJ.  Our Toxic World- A Wake Up Call. (2004: Environmental Medical Research Foundation.) Dadd, Debra Lynn.  Home Safe Home. (1997: Penguin Putnam.) Steingraber, Sandra.  Having Faith. (2001: Perseus Publishing.) Steinman, David & Wisner, R. Michael.  Living Healthy in a Toxic World. (1996: Perigree Books.) Websites:   www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov www.holisticmed.com/toxic Lori Zitzmann is an advanced nurse practitioner in private practice at Avante Medical Center (770-6700). Health promotion, disease prevention, and avoiding environmental toxins are integral to her primary care focus.