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Generations: Protecting yourself, your children, and their children

Protecting Yourself Protects Future Generations

Did you know that parents’ exposure to certain chemicals before conception and during fetal development can impact the risk of diseases throughout their own, their children and even their grandchildren’s lives? Learn about how and see below for things you can do. 

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) affect the ability of our glands and organs to coordinate body functions through hormones like estrogen. The endocrine system controls many things, including metabolism, reproduction, growth, and mood. EDCs can enter the body through ingestion (swallowing), skin (absorbing), and lungs (breathing). When the endocrine system is disrupted by chemicals, it can increase the risk of many diseases throughout the lifespan, such as childhood leukemia, obesity, and breast cancer.

Learn about how chemicals affect multiple generations

How can dust, dirt and cleaning products be harmful?Poster for washing hands often especially before eating

Dust and dirt contain particles from everything in our homes, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Chemicals are released from things like flame retardants on furniture and appliances, stain-resistant coatings on furniture and carpets, tobacco smoke residue on clothes and furniture, and plastics in toys and food containers. Learn more about EDCs in dust and dirt.

While cleaning dust and dirt, it’s unfortunately easy to add more EDCs to your home since many are found in cleaning products. Learn more about EDCs in cleaning products.

However, there are simple things you can do to limit exposure to the chemicals in dust, dirt, and cleaning products.

How can we reduce our exposure?

  • Wash hands with soap and water often, especially before eating.
  • Leave shoes at the door rather than wearing them in the house.
  • Use a cloth dampened with water or other safe cleaning product to capture dust instead of brushing it back into the air.
  • Open windows to improve ventilation when air quality outside is good. Check outdoor air quality at AirNow.gov.
  • Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter frequently.
  • Make your own cleaning products with safe recipes.
  • Look for safety certifications, like Made Safe and Safer Choice, when purchasing cleaning products.
  • Use Silent Spring Institute's DetoxMe app or website for more tips and resources. 

Learn more about this campaign and the study that inspired it. 

 

RETURN TO OTHER SOURCES OF EXPOSURE

 

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