Chemicals and the environment

• Use fewer cleaning products in smaller amounts and less often.  Regular cleaning with hot soap and water is normally enough for good household hygiene.
• Avoid household products with antimicrobial compounds such as triclosan or triclocarban.
• Clean your home frequently to reduce the build-up of dust, which may contain chemicals from other sources.
• Vacuum and damp dust regularly and avoid using chemical sprays to remove household dust.
• Check labels and choose products less likely to contain harmful chemicals on our A to Z Chemicals of Concern list.
• Choose products with official organic accreditation from organisations such as the Soil Association, which are more likely to be EDC-free.
• Choose fragrance-free or naturally fragranced products such as essential oils and products without synthetic fragrances containing for example phthalates or synthetic musks such as tonalide.
• Make your own Many websites have suggestions on how to make your own cleaning products. Many common store-cupboard ingredients can be used alone, or in combination, for a range of household applications. Most cleaning projects can be tackled with nothing more than vinegar, baking soda, soap, and water.

• Check recycling codes on plastics. Recycling code 7 may contain bisphenols, recycling code 3  may contain phthalates and recycling code 6 may contain styrene, a carcinogen and breakdown product of polystyrene.
• Try to avoid single-use plastic items, where possible.
• Use a stainless-steel reusable water bottle and store your food in glass containers or food grade stainless steel alternatives
• Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers. Bisphenols and phthalates can be released from these when heating and can enter food.
• Try to avoid buying consumer items made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) such as flooring or shower curtains, as they may contain phthalates and heavy metals
• Limit the amount of canned food and takeaway food you eat. If you do buy canned produce, if possible, rinse the contents before eating.
• Opt for wooden or metal (not plastic) eating and cooking utensils.
• Don’t allow PET bottles to get warm for long periods as they may release antimony (a metalloestrogen).  These can be identified as recycling code 1

Look at our key facts sheet for more information.

Read our more detailed scientific brief for information on bisphenols and breast cancer risk

Flame retardants and PFAS

• Avoid products with brominated, organophosphorus or chlorinated flame retardants. These are commonly found in new furniture, carpets, and other soft furnishings.
• Choose less-flammable materials such as wool and cotton for home furnishings. These are less likely to contain harmful flame retardants.
• Skip optional stain-repellent treatment on new carpets and furniture, which may include PFAS. If possible, opt for natural floor coverings such as wood, cork or ceramic tiles that contain fewer harmful chemicals.
• Avoid buying plywood furniture as it may contain formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
• Air all newly-bought furniture.

Cookware

• Don’t allow PET bottles to get warm for long periods as they may release antimony (a metalloestrogen).  These can be identified as recycling code 1.
• Use food-grade stainless steel boxes for packed lunches and bottles for drinking.
• Avoid cookware that is coated in a non-stick coating, such as Teflon (a type of PFAS which are EDCs). Use stainless steel and cast iron cookware instead.

Clothing

• Avoid treated clothing if you can. Those treated with anti-bacterial compounds, non-stick coatings, or flame retardants could contain harmful chemicals. And children are especially vulnerable. 
• Source organic cotton if possible. It’s likely to contain fewer harmful chemicals such as pesticides.

Reduce your exposure to air pollution by cutting down on your use of pesticides and cleaning products that contain harmful ingredients.

• Avoid the use of garden pesticides which often contain harmful ingredients that may be EDCs. Use organic solutions if possible. Read our organic gardening tips blog for some suggestions.
• Limit outdoor physical exertion on high air pollution days or near sources of heavy air pollution.
• Don’t smoke indoors – better still give up entirely.
• Always work in a well-vented environment.
• Vacuum regularly and keep your home aired and dusted to help remove pollutants from inside your home.
• Avoid synthetic fragrances, scented candles, air fresheners, and perfumed cleaning products as some contain EDCs that can have an impact on your health. Use house plants as natural air detoxifiers, and fresh flowers or herbs for scent.
• Avoid new carpets or furniture that contain harmful chemicals. These include biocides, waterproof sprays, and organic flame retardants (see our Household Items tips above).
• Properly maintain appliances such as boilers, stoves, and fires that burn fuel of any kind.
• Choose less-flammable materials. These include wool and cotton for home furnishings which are unlikely to contain and release flame retardants.
• Avoid synthetic fragrances. These may be used in air fresheners and other sprays.

1. Buy organic fruit and vegetables as often as you can. They are largely pesticide-free and widely available. To identify fruit and vegetables grown organically, look for these logos:

2. Grow your own produce. If you have a garden, try growing your own vegetables and fruit. Herbs can be grown on a window sill in small pots too.

3. Wash and/or brush fruit and vegetables well, to help remove pesticide residue.

4. Know which fruits and vegetables are exposed to the highest levels of pesticides. Check out the Dirty Dozen – lists of fruit and vegetables with the most pesticide residues.

5. The best method of pest control in the garden is to keep your plants healthy so they don’t attract bugs. Homemade pesticides are a safe choice and can be made from inexpensive ingredients that most people have in their homes. 

Look at our key fact sheet for more information.