In 2006, Environmental Defence released the results of a national scientific investigation that opened people’s eyes to the reality of toxic chemicals in our everyday lives. The first part of this article examined the findings of the Polluted Children, Toxic Nation report. In this installment, we will look at the average Canadian’s daily routine and locate some of the common sources of contamination.

Our Toxic Lives

There are many unregulated substances in wide use on the market that put the health of Canadians in jeopardy. Canadians come in contact, breathe and ingest many of these harmful toxins in our everyday lives. They enter our bodies through our food, air and water, as well as personal care products, cooking pots and pans, food wrap and containers, electronics, furniture, clothing and building materials.

As an example, let’s say you wake up in the morning, brush your teeth, take a shower and get dressed. You then head to the kitchen to make yourself some eggs for breakfast. As you are frying your eggs, you throw in some vegetables you have chopped up. After you eat your breakfast along with a glass of fruit juice, you head to your car and you drive off.

For the purposes of this article, I will assume this to be an average scenario for much of the Canadian population. Let us begin our analysis.

Your Bed

Your mattress may contain PBDEs, chemicals widely used as flame retardants which are known to cause cancer and suspected of disrupting hormones. Your mattress may also contain PFCs in order to make the mattress stain-resistant. PFCs are known carcinogens. If you use polycotton bed sheets or wrinkle-resistant sheets then you are exposing yourself to formaldehyde, a chemical known to cause cancer, respiratory problems, insomnia, asthma and several other illnesses. You sleep on your bed almost every night of your life. It is a large contributor of toxins into your body.