Your Laundry May Be Harming Mother Nature

In addition to all the other toxins floating around out there, it seems that some hidden chemicals that have attached to our clothes might be responsible for polluting our lakes and rivers. 

Researchers from Canada decided to investigate if flame retardants — chemicals that are added to numerous everyday items, such as furniture, mattresses, and clothes, to prevent them from catching fire — find their way into the environment through the washing machine. 

In order to test this theory, the study team first analyzed clothes made of cotton and polyester, and discovered that these fabrics accumulated flame retardants and plasticizers (a substance added to products that increase its flexibility) from an indoor office setting during a 30-day period. Once these dirty clothes were tossed in the wash, some of the chemicals flowed into the water, “which ultimately gets treated and released into the environment,” as stated in a press release. 

The findings, which were published in the American Chemical Society’s journal Environmental Science & Technology, indicate that such releases could have adverse impacts on both aquatic life and people. 

It’s been long understood that these “protectant chemicals” may be doing more harm than good. Over the years, studies have shown that exposure to various types of substances have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption during pregnancy, learning and memory issues, as well as developmental delays in children. And previous research published in the journal Reviews on Environmental Health concluded that “reducing the use of toxic or untested flame retardant chemicals in consumer products can protect human and animal health and the global environment without compromising fire safety.” 

So is there anything society can do to put an end to this hazardous cycle? 

While these toxins are nearly impossible to avoid in our everyday lives, there are ways to limit your exposure. Two organizations, the Environmental Work Group and Safer States, offer detailed information on how to protect yourself and your family, along with ways to take action on either a local or national level. 

Sources: Yahoo.com 12 Aug 2016
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