Environmental Awareness for the allergic and chemically sensitive individual

Dr. Albert Robbins
www.Allergycenter.com
5/13/09

1. Eat Organically grown foods whenever possible-it is important to minimize pesticide exposures
   
2. Switch to natural (free of chemicals) fragrance free Personal Care Products
   
3. Avoid drinking from plastic water bottles and containers- they contain phthalates
   
4. Avoid artificial sweeteners and artificial coloring agents-they are excitotoxins and
   excite the nervous system in sensitive individuals
   
5. Reduce or eliminate sugar, honey, and soda consumption; they trigger hypoglycemia, aggravate allergies, and feed hidden yeast infections
   
6. Minimize or eliminate the use of processed and packaged foods- they contain too many hidden chemicals; cook from scratch whenever possible
   
7. Minimize the use of large ocean fish-like tuna and swordfish; they are high in mercury; smaller fish like sardines are lower in the food chain and less toxic. Avoid fish from American rivers; they can be highly toxic due to industrial wastes.
   
8. Avoid dryer sheets and other fabric softeners-they contain allergic and sensitizing chemicals; you can use vinegar or baking soda as a natural fabric softener
   
9. Remove particleboard furniture from your home-it contains formaldehyde
   
10. Avoid cedar or mountain cedar wood products –it is highly allergenic, especially for asthmatics
    
11. Do not spray your home with pesticides-use boric acid powder instead
    
12. Keep your air conditioning ventilation system and filters well maintained
    
13. Create an allergy free bedroom-ask for our free handout
    
14. Remove carpets-they are sinks for allergens, dusts, molds and chemicals. New carpets outgas chemical fumes for months.
    
15. Air out all dry cleaned clothing before putting them in the closet
    
16. Do not use mothballs-they contain toxic chemicals
    
17. Do not spray Lysol in the air-it contains 99% phenol that can severely aggravate
    allergies.
    
18. Do not use scented candles, fabreeze, or incense. Plug ins and most other air fresheners contain sensitizing chemicals including paradichlorobenzene.
    
19. Avoid polyester in clothing; use 100% cotton clothing
    
20. Avoid fried foods;they usually contain trans fats
    
21. Avoid chlorine and ammonia compounds in the home without adequate ventilation. They can cause toxic and allergic reactions.
    
22. Avoid aluminum and triclosan containing underarm deodorants. Simple baking soda is a good natural substitute. Crystallized mineral stones are natural and avilable at health food stores.
    
23. The safest sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium. Some sunscreens contain harmful chemicals and fragrances and should be avoided. Aubrey Organics makes a safe sunscreen that is unscented
    
24. The safest soaps are made from natural products and are unscented.
    
25. Shampoos, conditioners and other hair care products are commonly made with formaldehyde, often labelled as quarternium-15…avoid them !
    
26. Mascara may contain irritating chemicals including formaldehyde
    
27. Lipstick is a mixture of chemicals. Use natural products or none at all
    
28. Perfumes are mixtures of chemicals. A single scent may contain hundreds of chemicals. Scented products are recognized as being highly allergenic. They can cause headaches, irritation of the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and and nervous system
    
29. Chemical toxins from cosmetics are easily absorbed through the skin and can build up over time making one more susceptible to environmental illness and possibly cancers
    
30. Nontoxic cleaning products are available in health food stores. Seventh Generation is the safest leading brand available.
    
31. Pesticides and herbicides are dangerous to health. Gardens Alive is a company focused on natural and organic lawn and garden care