Toxin Worksheet
REDUCING YOUR FAMILY’S EXPOSURE TO TOXINS:
A SUMMARY OF STEPS
For a detailed review of these toxins with sources, see the Review of Toxins.
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LEAD:
Avoid: Do:
Antique pyrex, Tupperware use for decoration only, no kids play
Antique dishes and stemware use for decoration only
No food in decorative pottery
That’s not made in usa decoration only, no kids play
Check dishes- toss if needed use only tableware tested to be lead free
Toss if chipped, or corroded
Research lead abatement before
you allow any contractor to work
Protect your children during
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CADMIUM:
Avoid:
all colorfully decorated ceramics
Especially if red, orange, yellows
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MERCURY:
Don’t eat: Usually safe:
Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, shrimp, chunk light tuna, salmon, pollock,
Tilefish, Or large tuna- albacore, catfish
blue fin Use guide and check local contamination areas
Link:
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ARSENIC:
Avoid: Pick:
Excessive rice in diet Basmati from -India, Pakistan, and California
Most Rice from U.S. Jasmine from – Thailand
Check water quality if traveling Sushi rice from - California
Infant rice formula Rinse rice with water before cooking
Infant rice cereal Filter your water or have it tested for arsenic
Infant foods with rice syrup Bottled water when traveling
Use Organic Oatmeal Cereal for infant feeding
Limit intake: If gluten intolerant and pregnant, watch rice
rice snack bars consumption
athletic rice syrup gels
rice pasta, drinks, gluten free foods
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ATRAZINE:
Avoid: Do:
Unfiltered water in Midwest Have your water tested during corn growing season
Avoid non organic corn Buy organic
No untested bottled water Encourage municipal water testing at peak spraying times
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PFC’S / PFAS’S:
Avoid: Do:
Grease proof food wrappers Bring your own stainless cup to café etc
Stain proofing treatments Whole Foods to-go containers are PFC free
Avoid restaurant and “to go” Filter your water
wrappers
Water proofing treatments
Non-stick pans use steel, cast iron, newer glass pans
Microwave popcorn popcorn on stove top- tastes better!
Regular dental floss Switch to silk floss – available online, see below
Fire fighting foam avoid exposure to fire fighting foam
Everyday Cosmetics use EWG’s list of safe cosmetics
Regular cleaning products use organic cleaning products
Paint/varnish/sealants look for low voc non toxic products
Don’t recycle products w/ PFC’s
Lunchskins / If You Care - paper bags w/o pfc’s
Limit seafood as PFC’s bio accumulate
-
- https://www.ifyoucare.com/baking-cooking/snack-sandwich-bags/- If You Care
- https://www.lunchskins.com- Lunchskins
- Wowe Natural Biodegradable Silk Dental Floss with Mint Flavored Wax, Refillable Stainless Steel Container
- Dental Lace| Silk Dental Floss with Natural Mint Flavoring | Includes 1 Refillable Recyclable Blue Dispenser
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GLYPHOSATE / ROUND UP:
Avoid: Pick:
Wheat, oats, lentils, peas, soybeans, Organic grains veggies etc.
corn, flax, rye, triticale, buckwheat,
millet, canola, sugar beets, potatoes
Sunflower seeds, green beans
Cereals, Snack bars, breads and organic cereals, snack bars, chips, breads, baking mixes etc.
Other grain products that are not organic
Commercial weed killers in your yard spray weeds with cleaning vinegar or other organic weed killers
https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/10_alternatives_to_roundup
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BISPHENOLS A, S, etc.
Avoid: Do:
Cash register receipts Ask for electronic receipt, sequester papers away from purse and kids, decline receipts
Aluminum and steel beverage Wear gloves if you’re a cashier
And food cans Look for glass containers when buying food
Store food and pack lunches in steel, silicone, pfc free paper bags, wax paper, or parchment paper
Throw out broken plastic
Don’t put plastic in microwave or dishwasher
Plastic Use a steel unlined water bottle
aluminum water bottles Order silicone or steel straws
Use steel, silicone, or wooden spoons for cooking
Use stretchable silicone bowl covers for storage
Use glass or stainless mixing bowls
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BALSAMIC VINEGAR -? Lead?
Avoid with kids: Use:
Balsamic vinegar rice, fig, raseberry, cider, champange vinegars
Red wine vinegar or California tested balsamic
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FIRE RETARDANTS:
Avoid: Use:
Regular crib mattresses Organic and retardant free crib mattress are now easily found at reasonable cost on-line
Regular twin/ adult mattresses Look for organic or latex mattress
Regular furniture Read the label on upholstered furniture, it will tell you if it’s treated with fire retardants
Look for furniture pillows that do not have polyurethane foam
No Memory foam Look for latex mattress toppers instead
No Microfiber PJ’s Tight fitting cotton PJ’s
No Loose cotton PJ’s Tight or loose fitting polyester PJ’s
Organic cotton PJ’s
Exposing infant to electronics Use other toys and teething items that are retardant free
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PHTHALATES:
Avoid: Use:
Products with “fragrance” as ingredient Look for Phthalate free- shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other personal care products
Plastics
Air fresheners
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LAVENDER AND TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OILS:
Avoid: Use:
All products with these oils Unscented products
Consider avoiding all essential oils until
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TALC AND ASBESTOS:
Avoid: Use:
Talc based baby powder Corn starch based baby powder
Talc based foot powders foot powers/ sprays
Talc based foot sprays Talc free cosmetics
Cosmetics with talc
