Are These 7 Hidden Chemicals in Your Home Secretly Undermining Your Health?
QMedic compiled a list of chemicals in food, water, and consumer goods, their health risks, and how to avoid them, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and studies from journals like Nature.
Microplastics
Microplastics are small plastic particles—100 nanometers to 5 mm in length—that leach out from plastic materials such as bottles and food packaging. Chemicals in these particles are sometimes called endocrine-disrupting chemicals because they interfere with the endocrine system, which manages the hormones that control critical bodily functions. This interference may result in a higher risk of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and infertility.
The best ways to reduce exposure to microplastics are to eat less red meat (because microplastics tend to build up in animals we eat); substitute plastic water bottles and utensils for those made of glass, metal, or bamboo; and microwave food in glass or ceramic containers, because heat makes plastic containers release harmful chemicals.
BPA
Bisphenol A, or BPA, can typically be found in plastics and is used to produce shatterproof windows, water bottles, and even water supply pipes. Its ubiquity is why BPAs are so worrisome.
A study conducted by the CDC found that BPA can be found in 93% of more than 2,000 urine samples of those 6 years and older. These chemicals could act like hormones and thus disrupt puberty and ovulation, leading to infertility. Some evidence suggests that it can also contribute to Type 2 diabetes by affecting insulin resistance. Exposure to the chemical before or after birth may also lead to an increased incidence of asthma.
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