You've likely heard the word "parabens" and "pthalates" at one point or another, but probably never gave much thought to what they actually mean. The reality is, they are chemicals that can be found in virtually everything — cosmetics, bath products, hand soap, rain coats, school supplies, toothpaste, perfumes, cleaning supplies, sunscreens, and even scented candles and air fresheners. They have been found to disrupt hormones, cause cancer, and cause allergies, asthma, and a slew of other sicknesses. But, how much does it take for this to actually happen? Should you seriously worry about these chemicals causing harm to you and your family?
As of right now, the answer is maybe. According to an article on washingtonpost.com, large-scale monitoring of these chemicals by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and urine tests has shown that they are present in the vast majority of Americans. They are not currently regulated by the FDA because there isn't any evidence that the current levels used are harmful. But, that's also the problem — it's completely unknown at what levels these chemicals become a serious hazard. It could be the levels we are exposed to are completely safe and pose no threat — or we could be doing serious harm to our bodies every time we come in contact with them.
So, what should you do? It's understandable that the sheer number of products that contain hidden toxins can be overwhelming. Short of cleaning out your house and home, it might seem almost impossible to avoid parabens and pthalates completely. Find out what products in your home contain hidden toxins, and find steps to avoid exposing your family to them.
Find more resources for natural products, and tips for going green: