According to the World Health Organization, more than 33% of diseases of children under five years are caused by environmental exposures. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that our indoor air pollution levels are two to five times, and sometimes up to 100 times higher than the outdoor levels. When taking this alarming data into consideration, it seems imperative that we take steps to mitigate the exposure risks. With global chemical production projected to double over the next 24 years, federal policies that shape the priorities of the U.S. chemical enterprise will be a cornerstone of sustainability. To date, these policies have largely failed to adequately protect public health or the environment or motivate investment in or scientific exploration of cleaner chemical technologies, known collectively as green chemistry.On this trajectory, the United States will face growing health and environmental problems related to chemical exposures and pollution.

So, what can we do in our own homes to protect our own families? A very small percentage of cleaning and personal care actually tested for safety. These products do not need to provide full transparency , and there are few regulations on the chemicals used in them. With around 2,500 new chemicals being introduced into regulation each year, that is a lot to keep track of. Consumers seem to automatically assume that if a product is on a store shelf in the U.S. that it must be safe to use in our homes. However, with the more recent attention that has been drawn to the harmful effects of flame retardants, PFAS, teflon, etc. it appears that there has been a positive shift in our consumer awareness and the demand for safer products. A few simple steps that we can take in our homes are removing our shoes, immediately disposing of dryer lint and washing hands afterward, purchasing a high quality indoor air filter, and educating ourselves on the ingredients that in our personal care and cleaning products that we use on a daily basis.

Many major companies have used this newfound awareness to capitalize on our fears. When people started fearing BPA, they replaced it with BPS and slapped a BPA label on the product. Unfortunately, BPS has similar negative health consequences, if not worse. Make sure you read every label. Find a brand you can trust. Ask for a full disclosure ingredients list. Many companies will also provide you with a COA, a certificate of analysis. Most importantly, educate yourself and understand what you are buying. Nobody else is looking out for you.