Everyday Toxin Exposure: What Actually Matters (and Where to Start)

by in Cancer, detox, mens health, teen health, womens health April 1, 2026

Let’s Talk About Toxins

Concerns about environmental toxins are increasing, and for good reason.

However, the conversation is often either overly simplified or unnecessarily alarming. A more effective approach is to understand where exposures are coming from, how they affect the body, and which changes will have the greatest impact.

Understanding Total Toxic Burden

Total toxic burden refers to the cumulative effect of exposures from air, water, food, and consumer products.

A report from The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health identified pollution as one of the leading contributors to global disease burden, linking it to cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and cancer.

Similarly, research published in Environmental Health Perspectives (2022) highlights that individuals are exposed to a wide range of environmental chemicals daily, many of which are persistent and bioaccumulative.

These exposures are often chronic and low dose. Because they are not acute, they are easy to overlook. Over time, however, they can significantly influence physiology.

The Role of Endocrine Disruptors

One of the most clinically relevant categories of environmental toxins is endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

These compounds interfere with normal hormone signaling and can:

  • Mimic hormones such as estrogen
  • Block hormone receptors
  • Alter hormone production, metabolism, and clearance

Even at low doses, repeated exposure has been associated with:

  • Hormone imbalance
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Fertility challenges
  • Metabolic changes

A comprehensive review in Endocrine Reviews (2016) outlines how endocrine disruptors contribute to a wide range of chronic health conditions, particularly through long-term, cumulative exposure.

For context, the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (regularly updated) lists over 1,300 prohibited substances.1 As of 2025, the EU has further expanded these lists, including a ban on 12 specific nanomaterials2 and the addition of 21 new substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR).3

In contrast, the U.S. FDA has historically banned or restricted only 11 to 30 substances.4

Personal care products are applied directly to he skin, often multiple times per day. The Environmental Working Group has identified numerous ingredients in commonly used products that can act as endocrine disruptors.

Furthermore, research from the Center for Biological Diversity (e.g., Donley, 2019) highlights that the U.S. continues to use over 85 pesticides that are banned or being phased out in the EU.5

These environmental chemical also pose a huge problem as endocrine disruptors, since they are in our soil, on our food, and in our water.

Even a few intentional swaps here can make a meaningful difference over time.

Detox pathways: why exposure matters

The body is equipped with detoxification pathways designed to process and eliminate these compounds.

These include:

  • The liver, which transforms toxins through Phase I and Phase II pathways
  • The gastrointestinal tract, which eliminates through bile and stool
  • The kidneys, which filter through urine
  • The lymphatic system, which transports waste and immune byproducts
  • The skin, which supports elimination through sweat
  • The nervous system, which supports elimination of waste from the brain during deep sleep.

These systems are constantly working.

However, as total toxic burden increases, the demand placed on these pathways also increases.

If detoxification and elimination are not well supported, compounds may accumulate or be recirculated, contributing to symptoms such as fatigue, inflammation, and hormone dysregulation.

1. Personal care products

Many commonly used products contain ingredients that may act as endocrine disruptors, including:

  • Parabens
  • Phthalates
  • Synthetic fragrances

These are applied directly to the skin, often multiple times per day.

The Environmental Working Group has documented widespread use of these compounds in cosmetics and skincare products, making this one of the most consistent sources of daily exposure.

Common sources that no one thinks about (but I speak to MANY of my patients about):

  • Tampons and pads
  • Condoms and lubricants
  • Underwear
  • Athletic clothing
  • Deodorants
  • Body fragrances
  • Laundry detergents and dryer sheets
  • Candles
  • Car and home air-fresheners

2. Air quality

Airborne pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are a major contributor to both respiratory and systemic inflammation.

Wildfire smoke is of particular concern in regions like Colorado, and may be of greater concern this coming summer, given the extraordinarily dry and warm winter we’ve had. We are heading into the time of year where I start having more conversations about indoor air filtration. If you have been thinking about it, this is a good time to plan ahead rather than waiting until smoke is already present. It’s important to consider your options for air filtration and choose one that is rated to filter smoke particles.

Research published in JAMA and Environmental Research has demonstrated that PM2.5 particles can:

  • Penetrate deep into lung tissue
  • Enter the bloodstream
  • Contribute to cardiovascular and inflammatory conditions

This makes air quality a critical, and often underestimated, factor in overall health.

3. Water quality

Drinking water may contain contaminants such as:

  • Heavy metals
  • Pesticide residues
  • Disinfection byproducts
  • Chlorine and its byproducts
  • Hormones (think: birth control, hormone replacement, and growth hormones given to people and animals who then metabolize those hormones and excrete them in their urine, which enters the water system)
  • PFAS
  • Other environmental residues

Over time, these exposures can add to the overall burden your body has to process. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates many of these compounds, but levels can still vary depending on location and infrastructure.

The Environmental Working Group has a really handy tool on it’s website where you can look up your water contaminants by zip code and local utility provider. Check that out here. Keep in mind that the allowable levels recommended by the EWG’s are much more strict than the EPA.

Filtration systems can significantly reduce exposure and are considered one of the highest-impact interventions for reducing daily toxic burden.

4. Food and packaging

Food can also be a source of environmental exposure.

Ultra-processed foods and certain packaging materials may introduce:

  • Plasticizers such as BPA
  • Forever chemicals, AKA, PFAS
  • Preservatives and additives

In addition, pesticide exposure from conventionally grown produce can contribute to cumulative burden.

Layer this in with the fact that our top soil is eroding and the nutrient density of food is being depleted, it’s a real concern that the protective benefits of healthy food may be diminishing at the same time as (and partially due to) agricultural practices increase toxic exposures.

The Oncology Perspective: By Dr. Hummel

Bisphenol A (BPA) and Cancer Risk

One toxin that absolutely deserves your attention is Bisphenol A, or BPA. It’s a synthetic estrogen used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins… which means it lines your canned goods, it’s in water bottles, thermal receipts, dental sealants, and even some medical devices.

BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, and because it structurally mimics estradiol (the body’s primary estrogen), it can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere with hormonal signaling in ways that are particularly relevant to hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer.

Preclinical research has shown that BPA promotes breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and epigenetic reprogramming even at doses below what the FDA considers safe (Wang et al., 2017; reviewed in Ma et al., 2019). A 2024 study in International Journal of Molecular Sciences demonstrated that BPA in drinking water accelerated mammary cancer development in a transgenic mouse model and promoted an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (Conti et al., 2024).

Human studies have found significantly elevated BPA concentrations in the urine and breast adipose tissue of cancer patients compared to controls (Kuruto-Niwa et al., 2021), and the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners organization identifies BPA as a substance of high concern for breast cancer risk.

What makes BPA especially insidious is its ubiquity… it’s detectable in the blood of the vast majority of the U.S. population, and so-called “BPA-free” products often contain structurally similar analogs like BPS and BPF that may carry comparable risks.

My recommendation is simple and actionable: stop microwaving food in plastic containers, choose glass or stainless steel for food storage, reduce canned food consumption, and decline thermal paper receipts when possible. These are small shifts that can meaningfully reduce your exposure over a lifetime

A practical, high-impact approach

Rather than attempting to eliminate all exposures, a targeted strategy is more effective and sustainable.

In clinical practice, the most impactful starting points are:

  • Replacing the most frequently used personal care products with cleaner options
  • Improving indoor air quality, especially ahead of wildfire season
  • Installing a reliable water filtration system either on your whole house or on key output areas (sinks, showers)
  • Prioritizing whole, minimally processed foods

These changes reduce exposure without requiring extreme or unrealistic lifestyle shifts.

Clinical relevance

Reducing environmental burden can have measurable clinical benefits.

Patients often experience improvements in:

  • Hormone balance
  • Energy levels
  • Immune function
  • Skin conditions
  • Inflammatory symptoms

These changes are typically gradual but become more significant over time as overall burden decreases and detoxification pathways function more efficiently.

Final thoughts

Environmental exposure is unavoidable, but it is also modifiable.

The goal is not perfection.

It is to reduce the most impactful sources of exposure and support the body’s ability to process and eliminate what remains.

When approached in a practical and consistent way, this can meaningfully support long-term health, resilience, and overall well-being.

References

  1. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. (2009). Official Journal of the European Union, L 342, 59–209. europa.eu
  2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/858 of 14 March 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of the nanomaterials Styrene/Acrylates copolymer, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, and others in cosmetic products. (2024). Official Journal of the European Union, L 2024/858. europa.eu
  3. Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877 of 13 May 2025 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use in cosmetic products of certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction. (2025). Official Journal of the European Union, L 2025/877. europa.eu
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, February 25). Prohibited & restricted ingredients in cosmetics. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/prohibited-restricted-ingredients-cosmetics
  5. Donley, N. (2019). The USA lags behind other agricultural nations in banning harmful pesticides. Environmental Health, 18(44). doi.org