Man-made industrial and agricultural chemicals, are severely contaminating our planet, disrupting nature's cycles, and deeply affecting humans and wildlife alike.

We are consistently exposed to a cocktail of hazardous chemicals, everyday of our lives. It’s a serious modern threat, and its full impact on us, and on future generations is yet unclear.

The food we ingest is laden with hormones meant to fatten up cattle and poultry. Our hormones are further disrupted by chemical fertilisers and pesticides used by farmers (around 72 different pesticides are sprayed on fruits and vegetables) as well as by the antibiotics that animals consume with their feed.

The recent scare of mercury in fish ironically makes so-called healthy foods seem rather hazardous.

More than ever now, you should watch what you eat:
It is estimated that around 1000 different chemicals are present in our daily food, even in the one we think is healthiest!

Government data shows that over 90% of fresh salmon, more than a third of fruit and vegetables, and 40% of cereal products, contain pesticide residues.

Furnishings in the bedroom equally contain chemicals, such as flame retardants and stain repellents. Most foam bed mattresses, synthetic curtains, upholstery or carpets almost invariably have stain repellents and flame-retardants.

Even the clothes you keep in your bedroom, when dry-cleaned, emit toxic chemicals!

For safety in the bedroom avoid:

1. Soft furnishings with chemical finishes such as stain repellents and flame-retardants.
2. Buying clothes that can only be dry-cleaned if possible, as well as sending your clothes for dry-cleaning too frequently.
3. Try not to keep too many electrical and electronic appliances in your bedroom such as computers, TVs and hi-fi systems at the same time.

If you've just redecorated your home, or moved into a newly decorated one, airing it before you live in it will dilute the chemicals during their most potent stage. However, high levels of VOCs will outgas for months and in many cases, will continue to outgas for years.

How to minimise exposure to toxins in your home environment

Carpets made from organic natural fibres such as wool, cotton, rattan or jute are a far better option. Not only do they look and feel nicer, they're also much safer for you and the environment. Choose curtains, carpets and upholstery containing little or no brominated flame retardants or stain repellents.

Be wary of and try to avoid:

1. All types of synthetic carpets (carpet underlay or upholstery with synthetic foams, foam rubber, latex or plastic). Common floor coverings are most often primary contributors to indoor air contamination. This is due to the VOC constituents present in the fabrication of the materials, such as carpet padding and carpeting, and in the adhesives used to apply carpet padding and tile.
2. Furniture or carpets with chemical finish, such as stain repellents and brominated flame-retardants. At all cost, avoid re-carpeting your home or ripping out carpets while you are pregnant.

For a safer, less toxic environment at home:

1. Substitute carpets for wooden, ceramic, or cork (Linoleum) flooring. If you must have carpet, choose one made from natural fibres rather than the synthetic variety.
2. Instead of using artificial air freshener, open your windows wide, whenever possible. If you can't keep windows open, use natural odour eaters. A bowl of baking soda effectively absorbs odours. Alternatively, use natural fragrances such as potpourri or lavender, or better yet, burn essential oils for enhanced beneficial effects.
3. When buying a PC or monitor, look for the TCO 95 Eco-label, which limits the amount of brominated flame retardant in the product.