Toxic Chemicals Contribute to Catching Colds and Flu

You probably are aware that giving your immune system a helping hand can ward off colds and the flu. But did you know that common exposures to toxic chemicals in your everyday life can actually increase your chances of becoming sick?

Catching a cold or flu requires exposure to bacteria and viruses and a body with a weak immune system. When bacteria and viruses encounter a strong immune system, the immune system recognizes the bacteria or virus as a foreign invader and fights them off. But when the body's immune system is compromised, it can't do its job of protecting us against the bacteria and viruses that can make us sick.

Unfortunately, today, our immune systems are exposed to a torrent of toxic chemicals that can weaken its ability to defend the health of our bodies. Plastics, pesticides, and pollutants of all kinds are in most consumer products. And virtually all of these chemicals can damage the immune system, leaving your body vulnerable to attack.

On the other hand, sometimes what may seem like a cold or flu may not be a cold or flu at all, but is actually a poisoning. In the wintertime, for example, during the "flu season," many families turn on their gas heat. Exposure to combustion by-products from burning gas can result in flu symptoms. Taking a cold or flu remedy won't help relieve those symptoms of toxic exposure.

Cold and flu symptoms can also be a sign that your body is at work to eliminate toxic chemicals it has been exposed to. A runny nose or sneezing might be a cold, or it might be the body trying to clear out nasal passages that have been inhaling toxic chemicals.

There are many toxic exposures in the average American home. So many, in fact, that there is a whole class of chemicals called "immunotoxicants," which, by definition, cause "increased incidence or severity of infectious diseases." [List of immunotoxicants...]

Removing immunotoxicants from your home will do even more than stop colds and flus--it will protect you and your family from all contagious diseases, including bronchitis and pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, mumps, whooping cough, and others. Flu shots and vaccinations? Removing immuntoxics from your home allows your immune system to regenerate naturally, and fight off all infectious diseases.

My book, Home Safe Home, will tell you how to eliminate most immunotoxicants from your home. It tells where these chemicals are found in everyday products we all use in our homes, and gives "safe solutions" for replacing them with nontoxic products. Debra's List will tell you where you can purchase products online that do not harm the immune system.

To get you started, I've chosen five top exposures in the home that can harm your immune system and what you can do to eliminate them.

1. OPEN THE WINDOW

During the winter, we keep windows closed to keep warm and save energy (and in the South, windows are closed all summer to keep cool and save energy), but this also keeps immunotoxicants inside the home. Open a window occasionally to let the toxic fumes out and bring fresh air in.

2. DON'T SPRAY DISINFECTANTS

It's second nature to reach for a disinfectant to kill cold germs and flu viruses, but disinfectants only make things worse. Disinfectants contain the immunotoxicants cresol, phenol, ethanol, and formaldehyde, which reduce the ability of the immune system to fight the germs they are killing. Better to strengthen the immune system to protect the body from germs as it should. If you need to kill germs, use hot water or tea tree oil. You can read more about disinfectants and how to kill germs on pages 108-111 of my book Home Safe Home, and in my blog post Q&A: Disinfectants.

Disinfectants are only one of the larger group of cleaning products, which are full of immunotoxicants. For safe cleaning products that will not damage the immune system, see the Cleaning page of Debra's List.

3. USE WATER-BASED INK MARKERS

Permanent ink markers contain contain the solvents cresol, toluene and xylene--all powerful immunotoxicants.

Instead, use water-based markers (available in the stationary aisle of every drug store, supermarket, and discount store), soy crayons, or colored pencils.

4. DON'T USE NONSTICK COOKWARE

A 2008 study by the Environmental Working Group through West Virginia University found higher levels of a chemical in Teflon in the blood of test subjects correlated with lower levels of a protein that helps the body fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Instead use cast iron, porcelain enamel, glass, clay, or one of the new PFOA-free "green pans." Read more about green pans at Q&A: Thermolon nonstick cookware

5. SLEEP ON UNTREATED COTTON OR LINEN SHEETS

All polyester/cotton and permanent-press cotton sheets are treated with a formaldehyde finish that cannot be removed and continues to emit formaldehyde for the life of the sheet. Common symptoms from this immunotoxicant include runny nose, itchy eyes, and other cold and flu symptoms. Explore the Beds & Bedding page of Debra's List to see what's available.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE

I can't remember the last time I caught a cold or the flu. And I live in a nontoxic home where my exposure to immunotoxicants are minimal. As you take steps to remove toxic chemicals from your home, your immune system will get stronger and stronger, until one day, colds and flu will be a thing of the past for your family, too.

If you have children in your home, it's even more important to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals because a child's immune system isn't fully developed until age seven or eight.

Every step you can take toward removing toxic chemicals in your home will greatly improve your health. Begin today.