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Avoid Damaging Chemicals and Pesticides
Reduce your exposure to dangerous artificial chemicals by buying organic food, avoiding food packaged (especially wrapped) in plastic, by not using plastic cooking utensils or non-stick cookware and by not storing/re-heating food in plastic containers. Also, use an independently tested water filter jug and avoid both single-use and personal plastic water bottles. Finally, audit your cleaning and personal hygiene products for dangerous chemicals.
Want to look at the science later but, right now, you are just interested in some actions to take?
Transition to Organic Produce: Prioritise organic variations of meat, dairy, and vegetables to completely eliminate your daily exposure to neurotoxic organophosphate pesticides
Purge Plastic from the Kitchen: Never store, microwave, or re-heat food inside plastic containers (even "microwave-safe" ones). Switch entirely to glass, stainless steel, or ceramic alternatives.
Upgrade Your Cookware and Utensils: Throw away scratched or damaged non-stick pans and replace them with cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel. Swap plastic cooking spoons and spatulas for wood or silicone.
Filter Your Water Rigorously: Use an independently certified water filter (such as those using solid carbon block or reverse osmosis) capable of stripping heavy metals, microplastics, and PFAS from your daily drinking water. Avoid single-use plastic water bottles entirely.
Audit Your Personal Hygiene and Cleaning Products: Ditch products containing parabens, triclosan, or synthetic "fragrance/parfum" on the ingredients label. Choose clean, plant-based soaps, deodorants, and household cleaners.
Why should you care about chemicals and pesticides?
A vast number of artificial chemicals, toxins and pesticides are now found in the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. They are all around us in our homes, our cleaning products and the soil. This body of dangerous chemicals has a range of damaging effects [1] on your bodily processes such as:
- Microbiome function
- Gene expression
- Hormone receptors
- Intracellular signalling
- Neurotransmitter signalling
- Fetal development
- Enzyme activity
- Hormonal control of diet
- Thyroid function
- Resting metabolic rate
- Liver function
In short, they can disrupt the good work you are doing across a range of the Big 10 areas.
With such a vast number of chemicals and with their ubiquity in modern life, it is tempting to feel that there is nothing you can do. However, by understanding at least the most dangerous chemicals to look out for and by taking some practical actions you can substantially reduce your risk.
What are the most common dangerous chemicals?
This list is by no means exhaustive; however, by carefully looking out for at least these chemicals and by following the actions in the next section, you’ll be taking some robust and practical action to reduce your exposure.
This list has been taken from Chapter 8 of Dr Casey Means’ excellent book Good Energy, which is also referenced below.
| Chemical | Source | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Now banned, these slowly degrading chemicals are still ubiquitously found in air, water, soil and fish worldwide. PCBs were often used in a range of industrial and domestic products such as lubricants, glues, paints and flame retardants. They accumulate as they move up the food chain, meaning they may be vastly more present in (for example) a fish that you eat than in the water the fish swam in. | PCBs have been linked to skin and liver issues, increased risk of cancer, neurological and cognitive effects (especially in foetuses and children), immune system suppression, endocrine disruption (in particular thyroid and reproductive function, and metabolic disorders [2]. |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | BPA's are used to create hard, impact-resistant, heat-tolerant plastics and also epoxy resins. However, the end products are not completely stable, and over time or with heat the BPA is released back into the contents. Although recently banned, the 'BPA-Free' alternatives simply swap in BPS and BPF instead – which have exactly the same health risks! | BPA is a hormone disruptor that accumulates in fatty tissue and increases the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, male and female infertility and chronic inflammation [3]. |
| Phthalates | Phthalates are commonly found in a range of cosmetic products like fragrance, deodorant, shampoo, gel, hairspray and also toys, plastics and fake leather. | These are also hormone disruptors and are linked to hypertension, insulin resistance, early menopause, miscarriages, genital development, semen quality, developmental issues, asthma and social impairment [4]. |
| Parabens | Parabens are used as preservatives and are found in personal care products, including shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, deodorants, and cosmetic make-up. | They are easily absorbed through the skin and bind to hormone receptors (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) causing hormonal disruption. They have been shown to be present in body fluids and tissues like blood, semen, breast milk, breast cells and the placenta. Parabens have been associated with damage to DNA in sperm and infertility [5]. |
| Triclosan | Triclosan is an antibacterial agent used in antibacterial soaps, certain formulations of "anti-plaque" toothpaste, body washes, and consumer goods marketed as "odour-resistant" or "antimicrobial. | Triclosan severely damages both the oral and gut microbiome, killing off beneficial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and selecting for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. It also impairs skeletal and cardiac muscle contractility and disrupts thyroid homeostasis. Triclosan has a highly disruptive effect on mitochondria (your cells' power source) causing changes in shape, splitting and disruption of the electron transport chain [6]. |
| Dioxins | Dioxins are created by industrial incineration and paper bleaching. They accumulate globally in animal fat tissues, meaning humans absorb over 90% of their dioxin exposure through meat, dairy, and farmed fatty fish. | They are highly toxic, persistent environmental pollutants which alter gene expression, suppressing the adaptive immune system, causing reproductive issues, and significantly driving up multi-organ cancer risks along with developmental and reproductive issues, skeletal deformity and kidney defects [7]. |
| Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) | PFAS are commonly found in non-stick cookware coatings (Teflon), waterproof or stain-resistant clothing and carpets, grease-resistant fast-food wrappers, cardboard food packaging (Like microwave popcorn bags, take-out containers and coffee cups). A key source is also drinking water due to industrial run-off. | They are indestructible in nature and bind tightly to human serum proteins with a half-life of many years in the body. They cause severe liver toxicity (driving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), elevate LDL cholesterol by interfering with lipid metabolism. PFAS suppress vaccine response efficacy and increase kidney, testicular, thyroid, prostate, bladder and breast cancer risk [8]. |
| Organophosphate pesticides | Organophosphate pesticides are found in conventionally grown (non-organic) agricultural produce, and urban landscaping/lawn care runoffs. Look out also for the use of glycine-derivative herbicides (most famously Glyphosate) in pre-harvest desiccation (e.g. many wheat products such as pasta. | They are endemic in global agricultural use despite being strongly linked to cancer, respiratory problems, neurotoxic effects, metabolic problems and childhood development issues. These pesticides cover our food and enter the water supply system. Children are uniquely at risk due to the impact on their smaller bodies during development [9]. |
| Heavy metals | These are commonly found in large predatory fish (tuna, swordfish) as they build up in the food chain, old domestic plumbing pipes (lead), conventionally grown rice (arsenic), and cigarette smoke (cadmium). | Heavy metals cause various health problems, including neurological damage, kidney damage and cancer [10]. |
What practical steps can you take to minimise your exposure?
| Chemical | How to reduce exposure |
|---|---|
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Avoid eating the skin, organs, and visible fat of wild-caught fish or meat. PCBs are highly fat-soluble and accumulate heavily in these exact tissues. Switch from large predatory fish (like farmed salmon, tuna, or swordfish) to smaller fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel) which haven't had the lifespan required to bioaccumulate massive PCB loads. |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | Choose fresh, frozen, or glass-jarred foods over metal aluminium tins. Even if labelled "BPA-Free," they are almost universally lined with hormonal clones like BPS or BPF (which have been used to replace BPA but are just as bad). Refuse paper till receipts and never touch them with wet or freshly sanitised hands. The shiny thermal coating is pure, unbonded bisphenol that absorbs instantly through your skin. Never use single-use plastic water bottles and use metal for your own refillable water bottle. |
| Phthalates | Never let flexible plastic cling wrap touch your food, especially if it's being heated or contains fats (like cheese or meat), which rapidly pull phthalates right out of the plastic. Audit your bathroom and avoid any soap, shampoo, or deodorant that lists "Fragrance" or "Parfum" on the ingredients. This single word is a legal loophole used to hide phthalates, which are added to make scents last longer. |
| Parabens | Flip your personal hygiene products over and scan the back. If you see any ingredient ending in "-paraben", switch to a plant-based, paraben-free alternative. Switch back to traditional, high-quality organic bar soaps. Liquid body washes require heavy chemical preservatives like parabens to prevent mould and bacterial growth in the bottle. |
| Triclosan | Stop buying household hand soaps or body washes marketed as "antibacterial" or "germ-fighting." Plain old soap and water are structurally identical at removing pathogens without destroying your oral and gut microbiome. Ensure your toothpaste does not list Triclosan as an active anti-plaque ingredient (and stop using mouthwash that contains Triclosan). Brushing your teeth with such toothpaste and swilling with mouthwash provides a direct pathway into your bloodstream via your gums. |
| Dioxins | Shift to a plant-based diet because over 90% of human dioxin exposure comes from the accumulated industrial fat of commercial animals, reducing your commercial meat and dairy intake is the single most effective shield you have. If you do consume meat and dairy, choose low-fat options or strictly organic, grass-fed sources where animals graze on clean pasture rather than industrial feed. |
| Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) | Throw away any scratched or degrading Teflon or non-stick pans. Replace them with completely non-toxic, lifelong alternatives like cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel. Filter your water with a carbon or reverse osmosis water filter jug or system. Standard inexpensive water filters won't stop PFAS. Check the one you choose is explicitly certified to reduce PFAS. |
| Organophosphate pesticides | Buy organic and if your budget limits buying 100% organic, prioritise buying organic for produce with the highest pesticide residues—specifically strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, and apples. Wash all produce thoroughly before cooking. |
| Heavy metals | Eliminate large predatory fish that harbour massive mercury loads and switch to fish like sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon (wild-caught only), and herring. Arsenic accumulates heavily in flooded rice crops, so always rinse your rice thoroughly until the water runs clear before cooking, and try swapping white or brown rice for alternative grains like quinoa or buckwheat. |
Further sources of information
Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means
Dr Rhonda Partick on the Diary of a CEO podcast
References
[1] Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means, chapter 7, page 229
[2] Carpenter, D. O. (2006). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): routes of exposure and effects on human health. Reviews on Environmental Health, 21(1), 1-23.
[3] Rochester, J. R. (2013). Bisphenols & Phthalates: Bisphenol A and human health: a review of the literature. Reproductive Toxicology, 42, 132-155
[4] Hauser, R., & Calafat, A. M. (2005). Phthalates and human health. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62(11), 806-818
[5] Darbre, P. D., & Harvey, P. W. (2008). Paraben esters: review of recent studies of endocrine toxicity, absorption, esterase and human exposure, and discussion of potential human health risks. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 28(5), 561-578
[6] Weatherly, L. M., & Gosse, J. A. (2017). Triclosan exposure, health risks, and mechanisms of toxicity. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 20(1), 29-54.
[7] White, S. S., & Birnbaum, L. S. (2009). An overview of the effects of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds on human health. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 239(3), 224-240
[8] Sunderland, E. M., et al. (2019). Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in consumer products, soil, and water: A review of environmental chemistry and health risks. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 29(2), 131-147.
[9] Koureas, M., et al. (2012). Potential health effects of occupational and residential exposure to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(10), 3501-3543.
[10] Jaishankar, M., et al. (2014). Toxicity of lead, kidney damage, cadmium, and arsenic: Toxicity and cellular mechanisms of toxicity of metals. Interdisciplinary Toxicology, 7(2), 60-72.