In tennis, unforced errors happen when you hit the ball into the net. In health, they happen when life hits bad things into you. For example, if you’re exposed to unnecessary chemicals that age you, we call this an unforced error of toxins. As if pollution, lead paint on kids’ toys, and bad TV weren’t toxic enough, research has fingered industrial compounds used in plastics, electronics, furniture, and fabrics (yes, even in underwear). These unwanted chemicals, known as bisphenol-A, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and perchloroethylene (PERC, often used in dry cleaning) can leach into your body and set up camp there -- permanently.

In fact, 92% of Americans recently studied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had bisphenol-A in their systems (no big surprise, as 6 billion pounds of the stuff is generated each year).

So how do you assess the danger to you and your family from these common chemicals? Use our toxicity “equation.” Basically, it relies on combining two factors: how dangerous a chemical is and how long you’ve been exposed to it. In lab animals, PBDEs, PERC, and bisphenol-A have been linked to reproductive defects, obesity, early puberty, endocrine dysfunction, respiratory problems, and cancer. Not exactly comforting. As for your length of exposure, since the compounds abound even in products like hospital medical gear, plastic baby bottles, and toys, most of us are exposed from birth.

Though you can’t dodge exposure to industrial compounds the way you can dodge a playground ball, you can back legislation that bans them. (America lags behind Europe in this respect. Sweden prohibited PBDEs in 1998 and the European Union banned most types in 2004.) In the meantime, to avoid bisphenol-A and PBDEs, are you prepared to give up using makeup, soap, and computers; to throw out your couch, mattress, and TV; and to stop riding in cars and planes?  We didn’t think so, and neither are we. At the same time, there are some practical ways to reduce your exposure. 

• Go for glass: Microwave and store foods in glass or ceramic containers.
• Pick paper over plastic: Cover foods with paper towels or wax paper instead of plastic wrap.
• Read labels: Use deodorant and other personal care items that are free of phthalates. 
• Make repairs: Cover and seal rips in furniture upholstery, and replace anything that has exposed or crumbling foam.
• Unwrap your clothes: Avoid PERC by taking dry cleaning out of the wrapper immediately and hanging it outside for an hour (neither you nor your pets should be nearby).
• Consume less: Try to use fewer products, and use them less often. It’s good for the entire planet as well as your entire body.

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