Everyday household items that could be making you sick

Everyday items like toothbrushes, reusable bags and plastic cooking utensils may sound harmless, but as it turns out they could be making you sick.

According to Australian author and activist Alexx Stuart, everything we choose on a day-to-day basis deserves a healthy level of ‘precaution’.

The author of Low Tox Life explained she adopted a similar stance to Europeans who embraced an idea called the ‘Precautionary Principle’.

‘This just means if there is a little bit of research here and there starting to pop up, sit back, choose something safer and not freak out,’ she said on Today.  

Author author and activist Alexx Stuart (pictured) said everything we choose on a day-to-day basis deserves a healthy level of ‘precaution’

Ms Stuart discussed a range of common items on the program that were potentially problematic, including plastic cooking utensils.

She said research tells people not to put plastic in microwaves because of leaching and that similar issues can occur when cooking using plastic utensils like spatulas.

‘Plastic utensils are the biggest thing to ditch. Switch to stainless steel, switch to wood,’ she said. 

Ms Stuart said plastic cooking utensils should be ditched because when heated chemicals can leach into food

Ms Stuart said plastic cooking utensils should be ditched because when heated chemicals can leach into food

While many Australians are now opting for reusable bags to cart their groceries, these too may prove harmful.

Ms Stuart said mold could become a problem with the bags if they became damp and were then put into a dark cupboard.

Her advice was to ‘definitely give them [the bags] a good wash every couple of weeks’ but she was quick to praise the efforts of Australians in moving towards using less plastic.

Reusable bags, while better for the environment, should be washed regularly to prevent mold and other bacteria (stock image)

Reusable bags, while better for the environment, should be washed regularly to prevent mold and other bacteria (stock image)

The humble toothbrush also came under fire for being an environmental concern.

Ms Stuart said part of the issue was that on average Australian were throwing out 30,000,000 toothbrushes every year.

Her larger concern was landfill and damage to the environment as a result.

She advised people to consider buying bamboo toothbrushes instead because the bristles could be easily removed while the handle itself could be composted.

The humble toothbrush also came under fire for being an environmental concern

The humble toothbrush also came under fire for being an environmental concern

Writing on her blog, Ms Stuart spoke about the problem of Teflon – the non-stick coating that allows food to cook without sticking to the pan.

Other items that may contain Teflon: 

* Dental floss

* Microwave popcorn bags

* Irons

* Hair-straighteners and curling wands

* Baking gear, including most parchment/grease proof paper

* Carpets and sofas

* Toasted Sandwich makers, waffle makers, rice cookers 

* Waterproof mascara

* Some lightbulbs

Source: Lowtoxlife.com 

‘Teflon hides in many places and while experts say the off-gassing only occurs on high heat and with misuse, its bio-accumulation danger is one absolutely not to ignore.’

At high temperatures, Teflon is known to give off a blend of 15 types of toxic particles and gases.

She recommends when choosing cookware such as frying pans, woks and saucepans to opt for stainless, cast iron or enamel.

‘It has been estimated that the particles in Teflon will take about 4.4 million years to break down.’ she wrote.

‘We’re not feeling the effects now, but picture the accumulation of billions of people using these products for a hundred years – in our oceans, inside us.’      



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk