Daily purchases and habits, long-term, have an impact on our toxic burden and our susceptibility to illness. Here are a few key habits with a high return on investment.
Remove shoes, which drag in millions of bacteria, including E. coli inside. Germs can live on floors for days or longer. Pesticides, dust containing lead and other heavy metals add to the mix.
Limit bottled water. A liter of bottled water includes approximately 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported in 2024.
Download an app www.ewg.org/apps to screen products before you buy. Use your phone to scan product barcodes at the store to spot harmful ingredients before bringing them home.
At home, remove shoes, which drag millions of bacteria, including E. coli inside. Germs can live on floors for days. Pesticides, dust containing lead and other heavy metals add to the mix.
Open a window. Indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air.
Avoid microwaving plastic, which leaches harmful chemicals into food.