An interactive version of this graph can be found here (scroll down the page).

A new study came out this week that gives us more data than ever about what types of toxic chemicals are found in household dust and amounts.

The fact that household dust contains toxic chemicals is not new—but this study is the first to make a comprehensive assessment of consumer product chemicals of concern in the dust found in US homes, provide a picture of the toxic chemicals in the home, estimate potential exposures for children and determine heath threats.

The study identifies 45 chemicals from five chemical classes—phthalates, phenols, flame retardants, fragrances, fluorinated chemicals—that were measured in dust in US homes.

Some phthalates, fragrance, flame retardants, and phenols were consistently found in 90 percent or more of dust samples across multiple studies.

The articles below do a great job of explaining the problem, but fall short on giving workable solutions.

Here’s my advice.

1. All the things you are already doing to reduce your use of chemicals in your home that you are learning on this website are also reducing toxic chemicals in your house dust. So keep finding toxic products in your home and continue to replace them with nontoxic products.

2. Get an air filter that removes both particles (dust) and gasses (chemicals. Check out my recommended brands at Debra’s List: Air Filters.

Find out what’s in your indoor air and take steps to improve it. This could make a big difference in your health.

CBS NEWS: Household Dust is Laced With Toxic Chemicals, Study Finds
a news story

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: Not Just Dirt: Toxic Chemicals in Indoor Dust
an analysis

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Consumer Product Chemicals in Indoor Dust
the study

NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL: Toxic Dust: The Dangerous Chemical Brew in Every Home
another blog post about toxic dust

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Abstract

Mobile phone usage has become an integral part of our lives. However, the effects of the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted by these devices on biological systems and specifically the reproductive systems are currently under active debate. A fundamental hindrance to the current debate is that there is no clear mechanism of how such non-ionising radiation influences biological systems. Therefore, we explored the documented impacts of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system and considered any common observations that could provide insights on a potential mechanism.

Among a total of 27 studies investigating the effects of RF-EMR on the male reproductive system, negative consequences of exposure were reported in 21. Within these 21 studies, 11 of the 15 that investigated sperm motility reported significant declines, 7 of 7 that measured the production of reactive oxygen species documented elevated levels and 4 of 5 studies that probed for DNA damage highlighted increased damage, due to RF-EMR exposure. Associated with this, RF-EMR treatment reduced antioxidant levels in 6 of 6 studies that studied this phenomenon, while consequences of RF-EMR were successfully ameliorated with the supplementation of antioxidants in all 3 studies that carried out these experiments.

In light of this, we envisage a two-step mechanism whereby RF-EMR is able to induce mitochondrial dysfunction leading to elevated ROS production.

A continued focus on research which aims to shed light on the biological effects of RF-EMR will allow us to test and assess this proposed mechanism in a variety of cell types.

PUBMED: The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function.

The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation on sperm function Full PDF

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Question from Jody

Hi Debra,

Do you know of any health concerns related to infrared heaters? I am considering installing this:

http://biosmartsolutions.com/shop/heating/on-wall-heaters/bio-1500owa-onwall-heater-and-airpurifier/

Thank you. Jody

Debra’s Answer

This looks fine to me as a heater.

However, the “air filter” is only a UV lamp and negative ion generator. This removes some particles and no gasses, but does kill bacteria and viruses and other micro-organisms.

The same caveat applies to this heater as to all others: the paint may emit odors when the heater is on until the paint is fully outgassed. But when outgassed, this heater should be fine.

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Question from Bonnie

Dear Debra,

I had wanted to buy a new 2016 car until I smelled the chemicals. I was shown a 3 year old prior leased car as I would still have warranty and thought I detected new car smell, but less. When my friend was talking with the salesperson I decided to find where the 2016 odor was coming from – It is from the AC vent!

I can not put charcoal pads on that. I saw you mentioned a filter – does it sit in the car with me or does it get installed into the car?

I would rather have a very old car, but I am concerned financially I may not be able to cover repair costs.

How well does the filter work? What year car do you think is safe from offgasing.

Do you think some models are more safe than others? Foreign cars can last many decades – so I rather take an old car.

I checked some and the seats are squashed, but a friend said a upholstery shop could replace them.

Would like to give a big thank you for the suggestion you gave me many years ago about the sleep number bed. The odor is not detectable with the charcoal blankets. It was the only bed I could use due to a medical problem. THANK YOU.

Debra’s Answer

You are very welcome.

The filter I have used in the past is from E.L. Foust It’s 160AN Auto/RV Air Purifier. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and sits on the floor on the passenger side. I found it to work very well. You plug it in and turn it on.

I try to purchase cars that are at least five years old. I manage to find used cars with low miles.

The car I currently have was only two years old when I bought it. It still smells like a new car. Mostly I drive it with the sunroof open so the fumes can escape.

Yes foreign cars last longer than American cars. Larry just bought an old Prius. They can last more than 200,000 miles.

Right now the choices seem to be 1) old and outgassed 2) use an air filter 3). Reupholster.

If you think the smell is coming from the AC, use the air filter.

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Question from Melanie 

Hi Debra,

I hate vinyl, but need a thin pad to go under my dining room tablecloth.

I have searched the Internet thinking I could find latex or rubber padding but was not successful. Thoughts?

There has got to be something less toxic than vinyl…

Thanks so much, Melanie

Debra’s Answer

First, for those who don’t know why you might need a dining table pad…

If you have a nice wood dining table, it can be damaged by heat, scratches, and spills.  A pad can protect the surface of your table from these accidents.

This is good for the table, but may not be so good for health.

The industry standard is to use vinyl and other possibly toxic materials and adhesives to make these pads.

There seem to be two types:
* solid, about 11/2” thick
* flexible, like a table cloth with thin padding.

The industry standard is to use vinyl and other possibly toxic materials and adhesives for both,

So the challenge here is to come up with some type of padding that will protect the table. I’m thinking if we can find a nontoxic foam in a thin layer, that should do it. And then put a tablecloth on top.

I actually did find something I think will work, but haven’t tested it.

There’s a website called Foam Order that sells thin sheets of foam made from EVA or polyethylene. Either of these would be fine to use. I don’t know if these are waterproof, however you can get it as thin as 1/8”. Call them and ask if this would meet your needs and let us know.

If it’s not waterproof, you could add a waterproof layer of something else. But this would give you the padding.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally told manufacturers they can no longer put triclosan in consumer soaps.

The FDA says antibacterial do little or nothing to make soap work any better and the industry has failed to prove they are safe.

Manufacturers have one year to comply.

Triclosan is still allowed as an antibacterial in other consumer products.

NBC News: FDA Orders Antibacterials Removed From Consumer Soaps

Listen to these shows on Toxic Free Talk Radio about antibacterials:

TOXIC FREE TALK RADIO: How Antibiotics and Antibacterials are Compromising Our Health

TOXIC FREE TALK RADIO: The Dangers of Antimicrobials and How to Choose Products Without Them

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An interesting article entered my email inbox the other day from the environmental blog Treehugger.

It was about the change that’s occurring in the way people buy soap.

Bar soap sales are declining and liquid soap sales are gaining.

I was sorry to read this. From a toxics viewpoint, soap is one of the few products that can be very pure.

I love to buy soap from a local soap maker who doesn’t even put a wrapper on the soap. They just stamp the information right into each bar. Whenever I drive in that direction, I stop and buy a few bars.

One of my pleasures in life is buying all different kinds of handmade soaps at various craft fairs and trying them out.

But I can understand about soap in a bottle.

Reading about this, I took a conscious look at whether I was using bar or bottle soap. I hadn’t really thought about it.

What I observed was that I use bar soap in the shower and bathroom sink, and liquid soap in the kitchen.

For me, the issue is soap melting all over the soap dish. In the kitchen I often need to wash my hands because I have been cutting up chicken, and I don’t want to put bacteria on the soap. A squeeze of foaming soap from the bottle seems to be much more sanitary in that regard.

But it makes sense to stick with bar soap. We certainly don’t need yet another plastic bottle.

What do you think about this?

TREEHUGGER: The Sad Slippery Slope of Bar Soap

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