Toxic chemicals we should avoid, especially pregnant women

To anyone who knows me, and likely to the regular readers of this blog, I urge everyone to reduce their toxic exposures. What we experience out in the world, what our jobs bring us in contact with, is not as easy to control as what you bring into your home.

It is very easy to take your shoes off at your door instead of wearing them around your house.

It is also very easy to reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals in your laundry detergent, fabric softener, and other cleaning products which contain either petrochemicals, Phthalates in fragrances, parabens… the list goes on. To read more about toxic chemicals in household and cosmetica products, visit Kaia House by clicking here.

You can also visit the Environmental Working Group’s database of cosmetics, by clicking here. This database is fantastic because you can look up various cosmetics (lotions, shampoos, etc. in addition to make up) by name to see if they contain toxic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, polyethylene glycol (PEG/ PPG), and similar offenders. Environmental Working Group’s research also covers sunscreens, which is very handy.

It is especially important for pregnant women to reduce their toxic exposures. Not only does it put excess pressure on the pregnant woman’s body during pregnancy, but the chemicals also affect the fetus in utero, and can damage the future baby’s fertility and increase risks for cancer and other diseases. So by reducing toxic exposure to the pregnant woman, the baby is also protected.