(NaturalHealth365)  Have you ever wondered how many potentially harmful chemicals you are exposed to daily?  From processed food to household cleaning products, cookware, electronics, and beyond, a growing number of items we use contain chemicals that compromise human health.

The average person is exposed to harmful endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs for short, every day.  A recent report states that exposure to EDCs can lead to infertility, obesity, cancer, and several other adverse health outcomes.  The pressing questions are which specific items contain EDCs and how to avoid EDC exposure.  Let’s delve into the answers to each of these important questions.

FACT: There is no safe level of exposure to EDCs

As of this publication, the scientific community agrees that there is not a safe amount of EDC exposure for humans.  Even the slightest EDC exposure has the potential to cause health problems.  EDC exposure can lead to satiety issues, problems with immune system functionality, reproductive issues, neurological challenges, and stunted development.

EDCs are built similarly to regular hormones, including male and female sex hormones, estrogen, and androgen.  EDCs also have a structure similar to thyroid hormones.  All sorts of issues can arise after exposure, from mental cloudiness to issues with metabolism, feeling too full or not full enough after eating, and beyond.

THESE are the most common EDCs

You have likely heard of one or several EDCs.  EDCs include arsenic, mercury, lead, BPA, fire retardants, perchlorate, phthalates, and certain pesticides.  These EDCs reach human beings through packaged foods, canned foods, water, hygiene products, chicken, fish, dairy, and even everyday items such as receipts from cash registers.

So what can you do to minimize your exposure to these deadly chemicals?

Reduce your exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals – here is how

EDCs will wreak all sorts of havoc on your body and mind, blocking hormonal communication, and changing hormone levels unless you are proactive and take steps to avoid exposure.  There is even the potential for EDCs to be transmitted to future generations through offspring exposure or other methods.

Be mindful of the products, food, and beverages that contain EDCs.  Drinking water, personal care products, certain foods, and even nonstick packaging used for food and other items have EDCs.  Make a list of these products, do your best to avoid buying them, and you’ll rest easy knowing you have done your part to minimize exposure to EDCs.  However, some products and other items carry EDCs covertly, meaning you have to be all the more careful to avoid exposure.

For example, household dust and grime sometimes contain fire-retardant chemicals after shedding from upholstery, carpet padding, mattresses, etc.  Instead of purchasing traditional furniture, consider green furniture and a specialized HEPA filter to eliminate all of the gunk, including EDCs and other diminutive yet harmful particles.  Furthermore, readers will find it interesting that seemingly harmless office products such as solvents, toners, and cartridges also have EDCs.  Even the thermal paper used for receipts has EDCs in the form of BPA.  You merely have to hold a receipt for five seconds to transmit BPA into your skin.

Though it will be challenging to remember every single item that has endocrine-disrupting chemicals, it certainly won’t hurt to remain mindful of those items and avoid them.  Commit as many EDC-laden items to memory as possible, bypass them when buying products and you’ll succeed in minimizing your contact with these potentially life-altering chemicals.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org
Unep.org