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Check Your Home for Radon
- Radon, an odorless, colorless radioactive gas formed from the natural breakdown of uranium in the earth can enter your home through cracks in your foundation, well water, building materials and other sources, where it can contaminate the air you breathe. The EPA estimates that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes has elevated levels. Fortunately, testing your home for radon is simple, and if levels are elevated there are ways to reduce them to protect your health. The cost of radon reduction measures depends on the size and design of your home and the specific methods needed. Costs range from $800 to $2,500, with an average cost of $1,200. Radon reduction systems may be able to reduce your home's radon levels by 99 percent.
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Replace Non-Stick Cookware and Avoid
Stain-Resistant Fabrics
- Non-stick cookware contains PFOA and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). These chemicals are used to make grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant clothing as well. If the item in question is "non-stick" or "stain/grease resistant," it has some type of fluoride-impregnated coating that is providing the slipperiness. It's well documented that when non-stick pans are heated the coating begins breaking down, releasing multiple toxic gases into the air.
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Clean Up Your Beauty Regimen
- There are literally thousands of chemicals used in personal care products, and only a tiny fraction of them have ever been tested for safety. Nearly 900 of the chemicals used in cosmetics are known to be toxic. Some of the most common culprits to avoid include SLS, parabens, phthalates, antibacterials, musks, 1,4-dioxane, mineral oil and petrolatum, hydroquinone, nano particles, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-producing ingredients.
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Avoid Canned Foods and Plastic Containers
- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used component of plastic containers and food packaging. The inner lining of cans appears to be particularly troublesome, as recent research has revealed that canned foods and beverages can increase your BPA levels by 1,000 percent in just five days. Another major source is plastics, including plastic food containers and wraps, plastic bottles, and plastic toys that children may put in their mouth. Besides avoiding canned goods and plastic products, you can help protect yourself from the adverse effects of inevitable BPA exposure by eating traditionally fermented foods, such as fermented vegetables. These foods contain "friendly bacteria," some of which have the ability to break down BPA, as well as reduce your intestinal absorption of it.
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Clean Out Your Cleaning Products
- Research has found that breast-cancer risk is twice as high among women who report the most use of cleaning products and air fresheners, compared to those who rarely use such products. Mold and mildew cleaners and air fresheners have shown the greatest correlation with breast cancer. One of the best non-toxic disinfectants you can use is plain soap and water. Another all-purpose cleanser that works great for kitchen counters, cutting boards and bathrooms is 3% hydrogen peroxide and vinegar.
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"Green" Your Building Materials
and Furnishings
- The building materials used in your home can be a major source of toxic exposures of multiple kinds, from formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products, to VOC's from carpets and paints, just to name a few. Your furnishings can also harbor toxic chemicals. When remodeling, look for "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" paint, and non-toxic carpeting, such as those made of wool, or opt for non-toxic flooring like solid wood or bamboo. Also look for toxin-free mattresses, such as those made from 100% wool or Kevlar.
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Eat Organic and Tend Your Garden Without
Harmful Chemicals
- The EPA considers 60 percent of herbicides, 90 percent of fungicides, and 30 percent of insecticides to be carcinogenic. To avoid exposure, opt for organically-grown produce and organically-raised, pastured animal products, and use organic gardening- and pest-prevention methods around your own home. Eating fermented foods can also help you detoxify certain insecticides.