If you had told me 25 years ago that supporting clients with thyroid issues would involve navigating a maze of environmental toxins, I might have become a building biologist! The impact of these chemicals on human health is serious. Our bodies haven’t had time to evolve to cope with this assault. The problem is compounded by the sheer number of chemicals, a lack of evidence on their long-term effects, and insufficient safety measures in place.
But enough of the rant. What can we do about it?
As I’ve said before, the best way to deal with this is through AVOIDANCE. But to avoid them, we need to know where they are and not turn a blind eye for the sake of modern-day convenience – like plastic wrap!
And then there are the ‘forever’ chemicals, like PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances). There are at least 12,000 individual chemicals in this group, found in our cookware, electronics, food packaging, furniture, waterproof clothing, and more. They’re used to make products water and grease-repellent. Think about all your outdoor gear, for instance!
So, what can we do? We can’t lump everything together. It will take centuries to replace these chemicals with more environmentally friendly alternatives that are also good for human health. So, my advice is to increase your knowledge. Next time you’re buying a new raincoat, yoga pants, or frying pan, do a little research. Choose products that are free from these harmful chemicals. For instance, opt for stainless steel or cast iron cookware instead of non-stick-coated ones, or use glass jars and bottles instead of plastic containers.
And if you think these chemicals aren’t affecting your health, think again. Epidemiological studies are accumulating evidence, and the truth will eventually come out. Do you really want to wait until then? I don’t think so.
Here’s a summary of how environmental toxins and chemicals affect different stages of our thyroid gland’s function. Remember, I’m focusing on thyroid health, but these chemicals affect our whole body, not just this one gland. Below are some categories and examples of products containing these different chemicals, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.
Perchlorates | Industry chemicals, settles on roads | Blocks iodide uptake, decreases T4 and T3 |
---|---|---|
Nitrates | Bacon, smoked goods, deli meat, ham | |
Phthalates | Vinyl flooring, personal care products, plastic packaging, garden hoses, medical tubing | |
Methimazole | Vinyl flooring, personal care products, plastic packaging, garden hoses, medical tubing | |
Methimazole | Hypertensive medication | |
Amitrole | Herbicide | |
Benzophenone 2 | Pharmaceuticals | |
PCBs | Electrical equipment, switches, hydraulic systems, fluorescent lights, cables, paints, waterproofing | Possible effect on fetal brain, reduces T4 production |
Pentachlorophenol | Herbicide, insecticide, fungicide, algaecide, disinfectant | |
Flame retardants | Clothing, fabric, furniture | |
Dioxin | Contamination of foods: meat, meat products, eggs, dairy, pigs, cereals, seed oils | Alters transport across cell membrane, potential autoimmunity |
PBDE | Building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, plastics | |
Chlordane | Insecticide | |
Triclosan | Hand sanitizer | |
Difuran | Gel medications | |
Biphenol A | Plastic bags, cling film, plastic containers, drink bottles, waterproof take away coffee cups, canned goods, takeaway containers, unpurified water | |
Hexachlorobenzene | ||
DDT | Inhibits TSH receptor, decreases T3 and T4 production |

It’s unfortunate that environmental chemicals and toxins are having such a massive impact on human health because they’re everywhere. We can’t turn back time and get rid of all our modern conveniences. So, being aware of the products you use is crucial to minimizing your exposure.
Here are my top 7 tips to reduce your exposure to environmental toxins:
- Get a water filter or purification system.
- Wash ALL your fruit and vegetables with an alkaline solution (e.g., using a high pH water machine like Kangen, or a vegetable wash like Adobe, or a water solution with apple cider vinegar) to remove residues.
- Take your shoes off at the door to minimize tracking in toxins.
- Swap out roll-on or spray deodorants for ‘natural’ alternatives (without aluminum), and consider switching to other personal care products.
- Use glass containers, even for freezing.
- Use a ‘keep’ cup for takeaway beverages.
- Wash ALL newly bought clothing before wearing it.
To sum up, if you’re already working on your thyroid health through diet and lifestyle changes but haven’t considered the impact of environmental toxins, it’s not too late to start. I recommend adopting these 7 tips right away and gradually replacing products with less harmful alternatives as needed.
If you'd like to discuss this further or have concerns about your thyroid health, feel free to book a short call with me.
