Toxin-less: Inhalation
There are three primary ways in which we are exposed to toxic chemicals, and Inhalation, or the air we breathe is one of them. The most infamous inhaled toxic chemical is smog, especially for those of us in Los Angeles, and recently added to the list in LA is smoke. But essentially, anything we breath, every single breathe we take, whatever particles are in that air, go in the nose, and hit receptors that go straight to the brain. So, yes what we breath is vitally important to our health (and brain health!).
Air quality is a big factor in this, we can only control so much. We can control the air quality inside our homes to some extent. But the air quality outside is mostly out of our control, it can contain chemicals from chem trails in the sky (those planes that spray chemicals to alter the weather leaving that trail of white), smog, dust (that includes mold and allergens), pollutants, smoke, carcinogens and more. Not to mention smelling a heavily fragranced person or candle, cooking bacon or grilling steaks, a partner that smokes or vapes, any aerosol spray, all of those particles, when inhaled are toxic. Now, yes our body is meant to detox toxic particles, until it’s overloaded. But with inhalation, those toxins first go to the brain, and with endocrine disruptors (anything with a scent other than essential oils), and those particles can cross the blood brain barrier, altering our hormone production. Enter, infertility, PCOS, early puberty and impotence. So mitigating the air we breath has a direct impact on our health.
So, how can we mitigate negative impact from Inhalation, sometimes the indoor air quality can be worse then outdoor because you trap the toxins inside, and without proper and constant circulation or purification those toxins just sit and eventually the particles get trapped in the dust. So here are some helpful tips:
Indoors
Open your doors and windows for at least 30 minutes everyday - Unless there has been a recent fire, or you live across the street from a major highway or pesticide spraying
HVAC system - Use a Merv 13 or greater filter, this traps particles at .3 microns (mold is 2 microns), but these are only 75% effective and only affect allergens, mold, smog and smoke, they won’t remove toxins
Free standing air purifiers – find one with both a Hepa filter (for mold, smog, allergens and smoke), and a Carbon or activated charcoal filter (for VOCs (volatile organic compounds) - the toxins) *You can make your own with purifier with a box fan, resources and instructions for this on Coalition for Clean Air website
When cooking with meats and oils, always use the hood fan on your stove top and open doors and windows (cooking any meat and most oils releases carcinogenic particles)
Evaluate your cleaning products, try to avoid any aerosol products, those particles can live in nose and lungs and can be toxic
Attempt to switch to cleaner brands if you can, Vinegar and Water work great
Try to keep outdoor clothes and shoes outdoor, change when you get home, leave shoes at the door, and ideally shower
If you can, wipe pets paws after a walk
Attempt to limit fragrance use, choose no fragrance or unscented when possible
Do not use candles, incense, plug in fragrance. You can boil water with cinnamon and oranges, or use essential oils in a diffuser
Outdoors
If it looks murky and AQI is yellow or higher, consider staying indoors, or limiting time outdoors
Always keep the recirculate air option on in your car, this recirculates the indoor air not allowing outside air in. This is especially important with city travel and traffic, many cars next to you will emit exhaust and gasoline which is toxic. However, when you’re on the freeway, or wide open country away from other vehicles or pollutants, open your windows or turn off recirculation to air out the car.
Make sure everyone is in the car, doors and windows closed, and recirculate air is on, before starting the engine, otherwise you will breath in the exhaust which is extremely toxic
Car filters can be changed to a HEPA filter and/or Charcoal/carbon air filter (located behind the glove box, you tube has how to videos)