British studies have shown that the air inside our homes can actually be 10 times more toxic that the air outside them.
More than 50,000 chemicals now appear on our supermarket shelves.
Furnishings, pet products, timber treatments, carpets, paints and other products contain even more chemicals that may be safe by themselves, but when combined with each other as they are in our homes have the potential to cause adverse health effects, such as respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, skin irritations, immune system disorders and potentially birth defects.
Food
There are 3,900 brands of insecticide, herbicide and fungicide approved for use in the UK.
Fruit and vegetables can be sprayed as many as ten times with these chemicals before they reach the supermarket shelves.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that between 3.5 and 5 million people globally suffer from acute pesticide poisoning each year.
Studies have shown that organic produce can contain between 50-100% more minerals and 25% more fibre than non organic food.
More than 11,000 different chemicals referred to as ‘gender benders’ are in use today. They get there name as they can interfere with the body’s own natural hormones and cause reproductive problems as well as suppressing the immune system.
Supporting organic agriculture can help to protect the safety of farmers in developing countries.
Shopping
Be warned the term ‘natural’ has very little meaning; be sure to read the label.
Choose organic if you have the choice, as you can be sure of what you are getting.
Read labels. If you need a degree in chemistry to decipher it, perhaps it is best left alone. There are always alternatives.
Choose products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
