How to reduce your exposure to chemicals
How to reduce your exposure to chemicals
Clothes
Our skin is our largest organ and can absorb some substances it comes into contact with. Yet, we spend the entire day wrapped in fabrics without really questioning what’s in them.
Look for:
- 100% natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp or linen that are plastic free
- No synthetic elastics
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Start with the things closest to your skin and work your way out!
Food
We do keep being directed to a whole food plant based diet. But the source of that food matters too.
- We do have excellent farmers market and strong organic certification standard.
- I get the majority of my vegetables delivered from Riverford (and often share my delivery with a friend – Ask me for a referral link if you are opening a new account and we both get £15
- Meat and Animal protein- I don’t eat either – but if I did eating grass fed meat and organic chicken (with the Soil Association Organic logo or produced by regenerative farming methods.) is way better than eating imitation meat that is packed full of chemicals and over processed.
- Coffee I drink Exhale coffee (https://exhalecoffee.com) as it is lab tested, pesticide free and high in Polyphenols
Water
Tap water in the UK is treated and generally safe by WHO standards, but it can still contain chlorination by products, trace pharmaceuticals, microplastics and, in some areas, PFAS or “forever chemicals.”
I use a Phox filter https://www.phoxwater.com/– which doesn’t remove all contaminants, but certainly some and improves the taste. All UK made and refillable cartridges
Cookware
Try to avoid non-stick for everyday cooking. Usecast iron, stainless steel or carbon steel.
I still use a non-stick pan now and then it’s far easier and requires less oil. it’s just not my everyday go-to
Indoor Air
Is often worse than outdoor air with cleaning products, mould and allergens all building up. I don’t use an air purifier but it helps to cut down on harsh cleaning products, opening windows etc.
Sleep
Sleep underpins pretty much everything, from heart health and hormones to metabolism and brain function. So improving your sleep environment is one of the highest-impact things you can do.
The basics still matter most: morning light, regular movement, eating earlier and keeping your bedroom cool and dark.
But one thing that’s often overlooked is your mattress.
Some mattresses can release volatile organic compounds, particularly when they’re new. The health impact of those exposures is still being studied, but it’s one reason I look for options that minimise synthetic chemicals and flame retardants.
Naturalmat, https://naturalmat.co.uk/ A Devon-based company that makes mattresses using natural materials like latex, wool and cotton, all British made and free from chemical flame retardants