What is environmental health?

Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health.

What are the environmental health problems?

Our bodies have to deal with a variety of environmental toxins that we weren’t built to handle. A century ago, we breathed cleaner air, drank cleaner water, and ate purer food. Take into consideration the following ideas for lowering your exposure to toxins: Purify your water; you can do so by buying a filter for either your refrigerator or your faucet. Store water in stainless steel or aluminum water bottles so you won’t run risks of chemicals leaching into your water from plastic. You’ll especially want to avoid BPA, a carcinogen found in many plastics. Refuse to drink beverages packed with artificial flavors and sweeteners.

Do what you need to in order to purify the air you breath. Just changing your air filters or upgrading to a better filter can reduce the air contaminants significantly. You can also use face masks when you’re cleaning with awful chemicals, painting, or dealing with other inevitable chemical encounters.

Lower your exposure to chemicals overall. Don’t allow smokers to smoke inside the house, and refuse to buy chemically based air fresheners, cleaners, or candles. Use natural cleaning agents such as vinegar and baking soda, both of which deodorize naturally. Use only natural candles, and burn them outside when possible, or at least with windows open. Buy stainless steel pots and pans instead of Teflon-coated.

Switch to an organic diet. It may cost more, but you may save in overall health costs. Wash fruit and vegetables to remove traces of pesticides and chemicals that may have landed despite best farming practices. If possible, grow fruits and veggies on your own land, using only organic concoctions to improve growth and repel insects. When you serve food, use spices and herbs, not premade seasoning packages, which are filled with preservatives.

Hire a green consultant to evaluate your home. An eco-friendly renovator will help you determine which flooring (carpets and carpet glue are full of chemicals, some flooring laminates are particularly bad for you) materials are best for your health.

If you reduce your exposure to environmental toxins now, you’ll save yourself from trying to detoxify so much later.