How to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors

Avoid the following when possible: 1. Detergents and household products containing nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). NPEs are hormone disruptors commonly used in many industrial processes, such as the production of oil, pulp and paper, synthetic and natural textiles and leather, and are a component of many household products. They are also used as additives in latex paints and cosmetics, as antioxidants and stabilizers in some plastics, and in some pesticides. A form of NPE called Nonoxynol-9 is the active ingrediant in contraceptive spermicides. 2. Fatty foods such as: butter; cheese; full-fat cottage cheese, cream, ice cream, sour cream; whole milk; meat. Instead, choose low- or reduced-fat, natural and organic versions of these products. Remember, many hormonal contaminants, heavy metals, and other environmental toxins get stored in the fatty tissues of animals, as well as high-fat foods. 3. Heating food in plastic containers 4. Herbicide and pesticide use; Use non-toxic alternatives. 5. Areas recently sprayed with herbicides and/or pesticides. 6. Liquid Soaps: Some, like Softsoap, contain Triclosan, an antibacterial agent that has been associated with hormone disruption. 7. Lotions: Some contain phthalates. 8. Mercury: Mercury is used to produce button-type batteries, chlorine, fluorescent lights, pesticides, polyurethane, and thermometers, and is a component of mercury amalgam dental fillings. Request composite, gold, or porcelain fillings from your dentist, instead of mercury amalgam. 9. Batteries: Properly dispose of all dead batteries as hazardous waste, since batteries often contain cadmium, lead, and/or mercury. Lowes Home Improvement stores provide recycling containers for such batteries in their lobbies. 10. Plastics and synthetic products: Plastics often contain two chemicals considered to be hormone disruptors:bisphenol A (a key ingredient in certain kinds of hard plastics, the epoxy lining of cans used for canned foods, and some dental sealants) and phthalates (used to soften plastics). 11. Direct contact between plastic cling wrap and food, especially hot fatty food. 12. Storing fatty foods in plastic containers or plastic wrap 13. Nonstick cookware 14. Processed and refined foods.

15. Products containing Triclosan: An antibacterial and antifungal (disinfectant) agent found in many common household products such as acne medications, antimicrobial creams, cosmetics, deodorants, detergents, dishwashing liquids, hand sanitizers, lotions, skin cleansers, toothpaste, mouthwashes, kitchen sponges, soaps such as Softsoap, various plastics including childrens toys, paint, wallpaper, flooring, textiles, curtains, sandal foot beds, public railings, keyboards, countertops, faucets, even dog bowls. It is being added to an increased number of consumer products including kitchen utensils, cutting boards, socks, and trash bags.Linens may be treated with this antimicrobial treatment in the near future. (See list below). 16. Products containing Microban or Biofresh: Triclosan goes by the trade name Microban when used in plastics and clothing, and as Biofresh when used in acrylic fibers. 17. Shampoos and conditioners 18. Stain-resistant fabrics 19. Sunscreens: Choose organic, chemical-free, for sensitive skin versions of these. 20. Vinyl (PVC) blinds: These contain polyvinylchloride (PVC). To further reduce your exposure to endocrine disruptors: 1. Educate yourself, your family, and friends about endocrine disruptors. 2. Wash your hands and those of your children often, and always before eating. 3. Heat cold water for cooking instead of using hot tap water. 4. Allow cold (not hot) water to flow from the water tap, after long period of disuse, in order to flush out lead-contaminated water. 5. Eat lower on the food chain and include a variety of beans, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 6. Eat fewer and smaller portions of fatty meat and high-fat dairy products, since many hormonal contaminants are stored in fat. 7. Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy, fish, and meat products. If you eat fish from bays, lakes, rivers, or streams, first check with your state to learn if they are contaminated. 8. When purchasing meat, choose American Grass-Fed products from animals that had been raised without the use of antibiotics and hormones. 9. Purchase organic food whenever possible, and eat plenty of whole-grain, high-fiber foods, in order to minimize your intake and absorption of endocrine disruptors. 10. Wash and peel non-organic fruits and vegetables. 11. Buy food grown locally and in season. Local farm methods are generally more accountable and transparent than those used in large agricultural corporations. Many pesticides whose use has been banned in the United States continue to be produced, sold to, and used in other countries, who then sell their produce back to American markets. 12. Microwave food using microwave-safe ceramic and glass cookware, instead of plastic containers and plates. 13. Use cast-iron or stainless steel cookware, instead of nonstick.

14. Reduce your use of plastics in general: Use food-safe glass or ceramic containers to store food when possible. Use a stainless steel container as a water bottle, in place of a plastic bottle. Provide children with products made from natural materials (ex., cotton, non-toxic wood toys, etc.) that are free of Bisphenol A, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors. 15. Avoid chemicals in your personal care and cleaning products. 16. Use non-toxic, environmentally-friendly household cleansers, laundry detergents, and dishwashing liquid. 17. Exercise frequently, in order to reduce stress, promote health, boost your immunity, and help your organs and vascular system to function more efficiently. 18. Support efforts to ban or restrict the use of endocrine disruptors, and demand better regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, state and local government and health department, agribusiness, industry, and manufacturers of childrens products and toys, etc. List of products containing Triclosan (11): SOAP: Dial Liquid Soap; Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap; Tea Tree Therapy Liquid Soap; Provon Soap; Clearasil Daily Face Wash; Dermatologica Skin Purifying Wipes; Clean & Clear Oil Free Foaming Facial Cleanser; DermaKleen Antibacterial Lotion Soap; Naturade Aloe Vera 80 Antibacterial Soap; CVS Antibacterial Soap, pHisoderm Antibacterial Skin Cleanser, Dawn Complete Antibacterial Dish Liquid, Ajax Antibacterial Dish Liquid. DENTAL CARE: Colgate Total; Breeze Triclosan Mouthwash; Reach Antibacterial Toothbrush; Janina Diamond Whitening Toothpaste

COSMETICS: Supre Caf Bronzer; TotalSkinCare Makeup Kit; Garden Botanika Powder Foundation; Mavala Lip Base; Jason Natural Cosmetics; Blemish Cover Stick; Movate Skin Litening Cream HQ; Paul Mitchell Detangler Comb, Revlon ColorStay LipSHINE Lipcolor Plus Gloss, Dazzle DEODORANT: Old Spice High Endurance Stick Deodorant, Right Guard Sport Deodorant Queen Helene Tea Trea Oil Deodorant and Aloe Deodorant; Nature De France Le Stick Natural Stick Deodorant; DeCleor Deodorant Stick; Epoch Deodorant with Citrisomes; X Air Maximum Strength Deodorant OTHER PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS: Gillette Complete Skin Care MultiGel Aerosol Shave Gel; Murad Acne Complex Kit, ; Diabet-x Cream; T.Taio sponges and wipes, Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. FIRST AID: SyDERMA Skin Protectant plus First Aid Antiseptic; Solarcaine First Aid Medicated Spray; Nexcare First Aid, Skin Crack Care; First Aid/Burn Cream; HealWell Night Splint; HealWell Night Splint 11-1X1; Universal Cervical Collar with Microban

KITCHENWARE: Farberware Microban Steakknife Set and Cutting Boards; Franklin Machine Products FMP Ice Cream Scoop SZ 20 Microban; Hobart Semi-Automatic Slicer; Chix Food Service Wipes with Microban; Compact Web Foot Wet Mop Heads COMPUTER EQUIPMENT: Fellowes Cordless Microban Keyboard and Microban Mouse Pad CLOTHES: Teva Sandals; Merrell Shoes; Sabatier Chefs Apron; Dickies Socks; Biofresh socks CHILDRENS TOYS: Playskool: Stack n Scoop Whale, Rockin Radio, Hourglass, Sounds Around Driver, Roll n Ra le Ball, Animal Sounds Phone, Busy Beads Pal, Pop n Spin Top, Lights n Surprise Laptop OTHER: Bionare Cool Mist Humidier; Microban All Weather Reinforced Hose; Thomasville Furniture; Deciguard AB Ear Plugs; Bauer 5000 Helmet; Aquatic Whirlpools; Miller Paint Interior Paint;QVCCollapsible 40-Can Cooler; Holmes Foot Buddy Foot Warmer, Blue Mountain Wall Coverings, California Paints, EHC AMRail Escalator Handrails, Dupont Air Filters, Durelle Carpet Cushions, Advanta One Laminate Floors, San Luis Blankets, J Cloth towels, JERMEX mops

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15. Springer Link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/x6087214563368q6 16. Wiley Interscience: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/21549/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRE TRY=0 17. Williams, Rose Marie. Health Risks and Environmental Issues: Triclosan-A Controversial Antibacterial.The Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine. May 2006. Source: Triclosan: Controversial Antibacterial (May 2006) (www.townsendletter.com/May2006/healthrisk0506.htm)