Recently, an increasing body of evidence has appeared showing how plastic products can pose a particularly dangerous and often overlooked health risk.
That’s because plastic products are composed of many synthetic chemicals, two classes of which – bisphenol-A and phthalates – are especially noteworthy.
Both of these classes of chemicals have been shown to mimic various hormones in the human body, As a result, exposure to either bisphenol-A or phthalates can cause major disruptions in your body’s endocrine (hormone-regulating) system.
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Therefore, when it comes to plastics and plastic products in your house, you are best off avoiding them. Instead, when cooking or storing food, use glass containers and plates especially in the microwave as noted below.
When microwaving "TV dinners" or veggies in plastic bags, always remove the food from the plastic container or bag and empty contents into a glass or ceramic bowl.
The chemicals, when microwaving, seep into the food and you are actually ingesting these harmful toxins.
In addition, beware of the types of toys you may buy for your children. That’s because phthalates are a very common ingredient in many toys manufactured for children today that are plastic in nature.
8. Give bug spray the flick
"You want to minimize the use of pesticides in your home - and that's what insect repellents are," says Philip Landrigan, MD, chair of the Department of Community and Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and co-author of Raising Healthy Children in a Toxic World: 101 Smart Solutions For Every Family.
Instead of using repellents, Landrigan says to keep insects out by sealing cracks and holes around doors, windowsills, and baseboards. And keep food stored away and kitchen and eating areas as clean as possible.
9. Plant an edible garden
Grow your own salad greens, veggies, and herbs. A garden can help reduce soil erosion and reduce air pollution. Aim to plant a plot that doesn't use a lot of water and tend your garden without using toxic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Instead, purchase organic and earth-friendly garden products at your garden store.
Eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peelings - pretty much any organic matter can find a home in a compost pile or bin. Mix with yard trimmings and add water and presto - you have a nutritious soil enhancer, and you're doing your part to reduce landfill waste.
Water wisely: Water your garden in the early morning or evening when it's cooler - water evaporates more slowly when it's cool. Water that's been used in sinks, bathtubs, showers or the washing machine - known as gray water - can be used again to water the garden, if it contains only biodegradable soaps.
Leave grass clippings on the lawn: Grass cuttings act as natural fertilizer when they decompose. So take advantage of them.
10. Compost kitchen scraps
10. Compost kitchen scraps
Eggshells, tea leaves, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peelings - pretty much any organic matter can find a home in a compost pile or bin. Mix with yard trimmings and add water and presto - you have a nutritious soil enhancer, and you're doing your part to reduce landfill waste.