(NaturalHealth365) It’s time to talk about one thing many health-conscious consumers have wondered throughout the coronavirus pandemic: why aren’t government officials and the media talking about the impact of common chemicals (environmental toxins) on COVID-19?

We won’t speculate why officials aren’t championing healthier lifestyles as much as they’re enforcing coronavirus regulations under threat of fines, or worse!  But needless to say, the idea that a face mask, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, or flu shot is all we need to stay healthy this winter is deeply misguided – especially in light of decades of evidence showing how environmental pollutants can increase a person’s risk of chronic disease, which is a known risk factor for a severe COVID-19 infection.

The elephant in the room: Government “health” experts remain silent about the dangers of environmental toxins

It’s nothing new nor even radical to say that air pollution, household chemicals, and other environmental toxins increase the incidence of respiratory diseases and other health issues.  Mounds of scientific research connect pervasive chemicals to an increased incidence of morbidity and mortality.

Key environmental pollutants to look out for include endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), flame retardants, plasticizers, pesticides, antimicrobial products, and artificial fragrances.  EDCs mimic human hormones and thereby disrupt a person’s immune system, among other processes in the body which depend on chemical messengers like hormones to function properly.

These compounds weasel into our air, soil, and water and they’re frequently found in our food, cosmetics, medications, and other household items.

Now, immune dysfunction is already linked to an increased risk of health conditions like autoimmune diseases, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).  In addition, exposure to EDCs has long been connected to an increased risk of metabolic diseases like obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Keep in mind, these same diseases are considered risk factors for a severe COVID-19 illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Is the problem here as clear to you as it is to us?

An overwhelming number of Americans are chronically ill and overweight, and an overwhelming number of Americans are exposed to environmental pollutants every day. Future research will help draw stronger conclusions, but it’s a fair hypothesis to say that this widespread and cumulative exposure to harmful chemicals is causing many people to be far more susceptible to a severe COVID-19 infection, if only because it’s making them less healthy to begin with.

Want to reduce your risk of falling ill this fall and winter? These 6 action steps are a great place to start

When in doubt (and during a global pandemic or otherwise), take your health into your own hands. If you want to reduce your exposure to environmental pollutants and household chemicals that are clearly linked to chronic disease and illness, take these important steps this winter:

1. Replace toxic personal care and cleaning products with natural ones.
2. Avoid synthetic fragrances like conventional candles, aerosols, and air fresheners.
3. Avoid plastic containers and bottles as much as possible.
4. Update your home with a high quality air purification system; this can help clear out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as flame retardant chemicals that are emitted into the air from more items in your house than you may realize (upholstered furniture, carpets, paint, drapes, etc.).
5. Choose organic and locally produced foods as much as possible.  Better yet, grown your own food – if you can.
6. Don’t smoke or use tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes or vape pens. As much as possible, avoid being around people who do use these products, since exposure to secondhand smoke and even “thirdhand smoke” (exposure to chemicals on surfaces contaminated by smoke, including furniture, car interiors, and clothing) can pose a health hazard.

Remember, taking a proactive approach to your healthcare is always better than trying to fix a health problem.  Take action today and the results will be worth the effort.

Sources for this article include:

News.Yahoo.com
MayoClinic.org
Biomedcentral.com
CDC.gov
EHN.org
Sciencedirect.com