Since World War II, the manufacturing of chemicals has exploded. There are 100,000 chemicals on the market with 1,000 more being added each year. Very little safety data exists on these chemicals. The chemical burden on the body of an average American is astounding. A joint study by the Environmental Working Group and Mount Sinai School of Medicine found an average of 91 man-made chemicals in the bodies of volunteers. None of the participants work with chemicals on the job. Of the 167 chemicals found: 76 cause cancer in humans or animals, 94 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 79 cause birth defects and abnormal development. The Centers for Disease Control also unveiled a large study that traced 116 chemicals through 2,500 participants’ bodies. It revealed what contaminants are getting into people via food, air, and/or skin contact. Both of these studies revealed that human exposure to environmental chemicals is concerning. We know the health impact of only some of these chemicals. We do NOT know the health effects that occur when these chemicals “mix” in our bodies.

On a daily basis we are bombarded with products that may contain harmful chemicals. For example, the average American woman uses at least 15 personal care products that more than likely contain phthalates. Phthalates are plasticizers and are known endocrine disruptors. Very low levels have been shown to cause damage to the reproductive system. Phthalates are also found in cleaning products. The average person uses an average of 20 cleaning products in his or her home. What about the non-stick pans we use? PFOA, the main ingredient in Teflon, causes cancerous tumors in the liver, pancreas, testicles, and mammary glands of lab rats. It has also been shown to cause developmental problems. PFOA was discovered in 96 percent of 598 children tested in 23 states and Washington D.C. We have also been reading a lot in the news about polybrominated flame retardants (PBDEs). Swedish studies show that the levels of PBDEs in human breast milk have increased 40-fold since 1972, and North American breast milk samples have the highest levels in the world.

We not only need to be mindful of the products we bring into our homes, but we also need to think about our “homes” as our third skin. Americans spend on average 90 percent of their time inside buildings. Since the 1970’s energy crises, homes have become more tightly sealed using vapor barriers and super insulated envelopes. Traditional construction practices of centuries past have given way to the mass produced, more efficient, and cheaper building materials and design. These materials are laden with undesirable chemicals. There is a consumer “belief of acceptance” that building products are approved by some government agency before going on the market. Yes, these products are tested for their structural adequacy, fire safety, and perhaps thermal performance, but not for the individual materials long-term health effects. Pressed and/or preserved wood, adhesives, plastics, siding, finishes, and furniture all outgas (give off fumes) into new tightly constructed buildings that have very little ventilation. Chemicals such as xylene, benzene, solvents, and formaldehyde fill the air that is breathed. The home or space essentially becomes a chemical soup in which we live.

The good news about all of this information is that we are learning and being empowered to do something about it. For all of the questionably safe products on the market, there are now products available that are better for our health and the environment. We can still get the same benefits without the risks. We can now build a home or an office space with minimal offgassing of volatile organic compounds such as solvents, xylene, benzene, and toluene. A home can be built without resin that contains formaldehyde. We can live in a healthy space, use healthy products, and not expose ourselves to harmful chemicals.

We are all given a nearly empty bucket at the beginning of life, which symbolizes our bodies free of chemicals. We can choose to fill these buckets quickly or slowly. If we fill them quickly, we may experience major health problems earlier than desired. If we are mindful of our exposure to chemicals in our daily lives, our buckets may fill more slowly giving future generations and ourselves a better chance at a long and healthy life.

Healthy Structures can be your resource for this path to healthier living!