Talking to Patients About Reducing Home Toxin Exposure

It can be difficult talking to patients about toxin exposure in their home because the subject can overwhelm them. Instead of becoming empowered to reduce exposure, they can become defensive, stymied and do nothing. This can be problematic given the levels of toxins that can be found in the home.

A key factor in any ongoing program is reducing exposure to as many toxins as possible. Looking at products used in the home is a great place to start. Two areas that are fairly easy to tackle first are the laundry room and .

It is now widely known that common household products contain chemicals that can disrupt endocrine function and increase risk of some cancers and other chronic conditions. In fact, some of the ingredients used in common household products are known or suspected carcinogens. Most importantly, they can disrupt the skin barrier and , leading to dermatitis and rashes.

The laundry room contains the following problematic products:

Bleach: contains organochlorines and chloroform, which is a suspected cancer-causing chemical. Alternative: use ½ cup white vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda.
Fabric Softener: contains quaternary ammonium compounds, which are antimicrobial so they can help create antibiotic-resistant bacteria; also contains the suspected cancer-causing chemicals benzyl acetate and chloroform, both of which can also cause lung issues; also the strong fragrances contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which are endocrine disrupters, cancer-causing chemicals that cause .. Alternative: add a quarter-cup of baking soda or vinegar to your wash cycle and you will never have to use chemical fabric softener again. A few drops of your favorite and a little water in the rinse cycle and you have nice smelling laundry that won’t harm anyone. The bottom line? You don’t need fabric softener. Why use a product that has been linked to various forms of cancer, brain damage and respiratory distress?
Laundry Detergent: contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), many of which are suspected cancer-causing chemicals. In addition, here’s the short list of other toxic chemicals linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, organ toxicity, skin irritation and endocrine disruption:

Alternative: recommend clean, , good for both people and the environment.

Most household cleaners usually contain toxic chemicals. Similar to laundry products, some of the ingredients in household cleaners can cause endocrine disruption which can lead to a wide variety of health issues and respiratory problems.

The best way to reduce exposure is by using . You can also suggest two simple DIY solutions to your patients:

All-purpose cleaner: vinegar, water and drops of some make the perfect, all-natural cleaner that can be used on kitchen counters, windows and floors. Lemon essential oils work well in an all-purpose cleaner, and many people favor oregano oil.
Bathroom cleaner: vinegar, water and essential oils also work great in the bathroom. To clean the toilet bowl, mix ¼ cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and pour it into the bowl for a few minutes and then scrub and flush.
Room sprays: essential oils mixed with water are a safe and effective way to freshen any room and a few drops of essential oil into the toilet bowl will remove odor.

Of course, if your patient doesn’t seem motivated to make their own essential oil mixture, there are many high quality natural, all-purpose and bathroom cleaners available to recommend.

Giving patients advice about reducing exposure to toxins in their home is worth it. A patient’s home can be a treasure trove of these toxins. By reducing the amount of toxins found in the home, we are also reducing the unwanted and unhealthy burden these chemicals can have on the body’s .

How Dangerous is Dust?

It is estimated that people spend 88% of their time indoors in their homes and at work. And yet when looking at environmental toxins, the emphasis is often placed on external exposure. The fact is, our indoor environments are teeming with toxins. And perhaps the most overlooked source of these toxins is dust.

Toxic particulate matter is suspended and circulated throughout the atmosphere of indoor environments and it is also brought in via building materials, furniture, and footwear. As it turns out, a favorite means of transportation of these toxins is dust. Dust contains a wide variety of toxic chemicals including phthalates, volatile organic compounds, flame retardants, and metals. Interestingly, in a 2017 study, researchers found that the smallest dust particles contained the highest amounts of metals. This means that even dust that isn’t as noticeable, is even more toxic than the more noticeable “dust bunnies.”

Many of the chemicals living and riding on dust particles can be dangerous to health, especially when consistently “consumed” over a long period of time. Some of these chemicals have been shown to disrupt endocrine function, while others place a heavy burden on the system.

When talking about reducing toxin exposure with patients it’s important to talk about the dangers of dust.

To keep dust to a minimum, patients should be advised to:

Dust frequently with a damp cloth (in high dust areas, this should be done daily if possible)
Go over hardwood floors with a wet mop
Use a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
Consistently groom and brush (and vacuum!) any pets that are in the home
Caulk and seal cracks and crevices where dust might accumulate
Use high quality air furnace filters
Remove shoes at the door so as not to track in chemicals. Most of the dangerous VOC’s found in the home are brought in on people’s shoes.
Consider air filters especially by the main entrance and in the bedrooms

It is estimated that the average home collects about 40 pounds of dust per year—that’s about the size of a typical five-year-old. That’s a lot of dust! And dust is not a benign substance that can simply be irritating. It can actually be dangerous to health. Reducing exposure is critical, especially for those patients who suffer from asthma, allergies or have environmental sensitivities.