Chemical-free living, is it possible?

Every week new research tells us that various concoctions of chemicals are ruining our skin, destroying the environment, and making our children ill. We have seen over the years how many ‘safe’ products are later proved to be harmful, but does that stop us reaching for the bleach as we dash around the supermarket?  By blasting our homes and our bodies with antibiotics and antibacterials, are we making ourselves sick? Did you know?

• There are at least 300 chemicals routinely used in the home which have little or no regulation, because they are (supposedly) not ingested by humans.
• It is estimated that the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals.
• More than 200 chemicals have been found in the cordblood of newborns.
• Children are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals because their early developmental processes are easily disrupted. And rates of chronic diseases in children are rising in the US and UK.

Rebecca Sutton, a senior scientist in the US says, “In terms of household cleaners, neither ingredients nor products must meet any sort of safety standard, nor is any testing data or notification required before bringing a product to market.” And we’re exposed to toxic chemicals routinely — from the phthalates in synthetic fragrances to the noxious fumes in oven cleaners. Ingredients in common household products have been linked to asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders, hormone disruption and neurotoxicity. Manufacturers argue that small amounts of these toxic ingredients aren’t likely to be a problem. But if we’re exposed to them regularly, and in permutations that haven’t been studied, it’s not possible to gauge the risks accurately. While some products cause immediate reactions from serious exposure (headaches from fumes, skin burns from accidental contact), different issues arise from repeated contact with chemicals with lower levels of toxicity. Constant exposure adds to the body’s “toxic burden” — the number of chemicals stored in tissues at a given time. Sutton explains: “Our concern is daily, weekly, chronic exposure over a lifetime. Maybe if you’re exposed to a chemical a handful of times it wouldn’t cause harm, but some chemicals build up enough or cause enough harm in your body over time that it triggers some kind of disease outcome. The concept [of body burden] is that pollution is not just in our air and in our water — it’s also in us.” What can I do? Say no to chemicals. Is that even achievable in this day and age? No fears of exposure to a cocktail of chemicals, no bottles to lock away from your children, no unknown risks to health? No one can avoid exposure to toxic chemicals altogether, but it is possible to reduce it significantly. The simplest and most basic thing to do is change your attitude! We’ve all been educated in the ‘kill germs’ mentality that sees bacteria as harmful and worthy of attack by an army of chemicals. But that view is rapidly changing. We know more now about bacteria; they promote life, they are the buildings blocks of our bodies and our world, we each have trillions and trillions of them in, on and around us. We have overused antibiotics and pesticides and inadvertently harmed our immune systems; we cannot kill the pathogens without harming the good bacteria too. It is time to start working with nature, by delivering billions of beneficial bacteria back into our bodies, our homes, our water and soils. Rebalancing our microbial environment and looking after our health, our families and our homes without harmful chemicals. This is smart balanced living. When can I start? You can start now, today. At Microbz you will find natural chemical-free cleaners for your home, probiotics for your gut (and your pet’s gut), soil and plant boosts for your garden, and much more. You may make a big turnaround in your habits, or maybe there are only a couple of suggestions that grab your attention. It’s not about piling on the pressure or laying guilt-trips, it’s about offering easy, accessible alternatives and a new direction. Changing to a chemical-free lifestyle takes time and commitment. The reward is a safe natural environment for you and your family that spreads beyond your immediate world and lasts. Probiotics, in any and in every area of life, are good for you and for the planet.