Everyday choices

Tips on lowering your exposure to potentially toxic household products.

■ Alexx Stuart advocates changing one thing a week. With personalcare items, she says the place to start is body lotion, as the skin is our largest organ and we tend to use lotion every day. But watch out for green-washing – packaging might claim a product is organic or natural but it may turn out to contain only a small proportion of such ingredients mixed with potentially harmful chemicals.

■ Bruce Blumberg recommends avoiding any product that lists “fragrance” as one of its ingredients. The term covers multiple compounds that are used in scents and don’t have to be itemised on labels. (Unilever recently made a commitment to go beyond labelling requirements for personal-care items by disclosing fragrance ingredients online in Europe, starting with France and the UK.)

■ At home, think about air quality – fresheners, scented candles, room sprays. What is in them that smells so strongly and are they necessary? Use essential oils instead.

■ Store and heat foods in glass rather than plastic; cook with plain castiron or stainless-steel pans instead of non-stick ones; use hardwood chopping boards and wooden or stainless-steel utensils.

■ Remove shoes before entering the house to avoid bringing in contaminants. Remove or minimise carpet as it tends to accumulate dust.

■ Vacuum often using HEPA (highefficiency particulate air) filters and dust your house frequently using a damp cloth.

■ Identify three high-rotation items in your pantry and switch to organic or spray-free versions. Reduce pesticide residue on fruit and veges with a water and white vinegar rinse.

■ Eat fresh, unprocessed whole foods. Avoid canned and highly packaged foods.