Untoxed HealthUntoxedHealth
The Untoxed Journal

Research, guides and practical advice

On reducing your chemical exposure. Peer-reviewed sources only. No brand sponsorship.

New articles every Wednesday and Saturday.

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Kitchen7 min read

Is Stainless Steel Cookware Actually Safe? A Metallurgical Answer

Stainless steel is the most recommended alternative to non-stick, but questions about nickel and chromium leaching persist. The answer depends on the grade of steel, what you cook in it, and the condition of the pan.

20 May 2026Read article
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Cleaning5 min read

Three Ingredients That Replace Every Cleaning Product in Your Home

Three ingredients handle the majority of household cleaning without synthetic fragrance, antibacterial compounds or undisclosed chemicals. This is the complete guide to non-toxic DIY cleaning.

16 May 2026Read article
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Research6 min read

Microplastics in Breast Milk: What the Research Shows

A 2022 study found microplastics in human breast milk for the first time, confirming that plastic particles can cross biological barriers. Here is what we know and how to reduce infant exposure.

13 May 2026Read article
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Kitchen6 min read

Bottled Water vs Filtered Tap: The Surprising Truth

Bottled water is less regulated than tap water in most countries, frequently contains microplastics from the bottle itself, and costs up to 3,000 times more per litre. The evidence favours filtered tap.

9 May 2026Read article
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Kitchen7 min read

The 5 Most Contaminated Foods and What to Do About Them

Some foods consistently show elevated pesticide residues, PFAS and heavy metals across independent testing. Knowing which five to prioritise for organic or careful sourcing makes the biggest practical difference.

6 May 2026Read article
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Living Room7 min read

Flame Retardants in Your Sofa: Still a Problem in 2026

Decades of fire safety regulations required upholstered furniture to contain flame retardant chemicals. Many are now known to be harmful. The regulations changed but the chemicals remain in most existing furniture.

2 May 2026Read article
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Bedroom9 min read

How to Choose a Non-Toxic Mattress: What the Certifications Mean

Adults spend roughly 26 years of their lives in bed. Most conventional mattresses contain polyurethane foam treated with flame retardants. This is how to evaluate certifications and choose a safer option.

29 April 2026Read article
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Kitchen6 min read

PFAS in Fast Food Packaging: What the Testing Shows

PFAS-coated packaging is used to make paper bags, cups and wrappers grease-resistant. Fast food packaging has been among the most tested categories. The results are not reassuring.

25 April 2026Read article
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Bathroom6 min read

The 12 Ingredients to Avoid on Any Shampoo Bottle

The average shampoo contains 20 to 30 ingredients. A handful are linked to endocrine disruption, scalp absorption of chemicals and environmental harm. Here are the 12 to always look for.

22 April 2026Read article
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Nursery7 min read

Your Baby's Bath Products: What the Labels Are Not Telling You

Baby shampoos and lotions are marketed as gentle and safe. Many contain formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, synthetic fragrance and 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant. How to read a baby product label.

18 April 2026Read article
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Chemicals8 min read

Phthalates: The Chemical Hiding in Everything Soft and Scented

Phthalates make plastic flexible and fragrance last longer. They are in nearly everything. This is a complete guide to where they hide, what the health research shows, and how to reduce your exposure.

15 April 2026Read article
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Kitchen6 min read

The Gas That Kills Birds Instantly Can Harm You Too: The Teflon Problem

Pet birds die from Teflon fumes in kitchens every year. The fumes that kill birds at low concentrations are the same fumes humans inhale when non-stick pans overheat. This is what you need to know.

11 April 2026Read article
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Personal Care7 min read

Sunscreen Chemicals: What Is Actually in Your SPF and What to Use Instead

Most conventional sunscreens contain oxybenzone, octinoxate and other compounds linked to endocrine disruption. Some also contain PFAS. Here is what is in your SPF and what to use instead.

8 April 2026Read article
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Kitchen6 min read

Black Plastic in Your Kitchen: The Hidden Danger Nobody Talks About

Black plastic utensils, containers and trays are made from recycled electronics and contain flame retardants. A 2023 study found they transfer to food. This is what to throw away today.

20 February 2025Read article
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Fertility7 min read

PFAS and Fertility: What the Research Actually Says

Studies link PFAS exposure to reduced fertility in both men and women, longer time-to-pregnancy, and altered outcomes in IVF cycles. Here is what the research actually shows.

14 February 2025Read article
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Kitchen8 min read

The Best Non-Toxic Pans in 2025: Cast Iron vs Carbon Steel vs Stainless Steel

Non-stick cookware uses PTFE, a PFAS compound. Scratched coatings shed thousands of particles per use. This guide compares the safe alternatives with brand recommendations at every budget.

7 February 2025Read article
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Research6 min read

Microplastics in Human Blood: What We Know So Far

A 2022 Amsterdam study was the first to detect microplastics in human blood. Subsequent research confirmed the finding across multiple countries. Here is what plastic in the bloodstream might mean.

31 January 2025Read article
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Kitchen9 min read

Is Your Tap Water Safe? A Guide to PFAS, Lead and What Filters Actually Work

The EPA's 2024 ruling set legal limits for PFAS in drinking water for the first time. This guide covers what is in your tap water and which filters actually remove the contaminants that matter.

24 January 2025Read article
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Nursery10 min read

How to Set Up a Non-Toxic Nursery: A Room-by-Room Guide

Infants spend 14 to 16 hours per day in the nursery in their first year. Most conventional nursery products contain PFAS, flame retardants and formaldehyde finishes. This is how to set it up differently.

17 January 2025Read article
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Kitchen7 min read

The PFAS problem in your kitchen: what the latest EPA ruling means for you

The EPA's 2024 ruling set the first enforceable maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water. Here is what changed, what it means for your kitchen, and what to do this week.

14 January 2025Read article
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Chemicals7 min read

What Are Endocrine Disruptors? A Plain-English Explanation

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals interfere with the hormonal system at very low doses. This plain-English guide covers how hormones work, how EDCs interfere, and why the science is difficult to act on.

10 January 2025Read article
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Kitchen5 min read

Why You Should Never Put Plastic in the Dishwasher

A 2023 study found that dishwasher cycles release significantly more chemicals from plastic items than handwashing. High heat and detergent accelerate breakdown. Here is what to keep out.

3 January 2025Read article
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Chemicals4 min read

The Receipt in Your Wallet Is Coating Your Hands in BPA

Thermal paper receipts are coated with BPA or BPS. Handling a receipt for 10 seconds transfers measurable bisphenol to the skin. Cashiers show urine concentrations 2.8 times higher than average.

20 December 2024Read article
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Kitchen6 min read

What Your Meat Packaging Is Doing to Your Food

Black plastic meat trays contain flame retardants from recycled electronics. Absorbent meat pads can contain PFAS. Knowing what to avoid at the supermarket makes a meaningful difference.

13 December 2024Read article
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Bathroom5 min read

What 'Fragrance' on a Label Actually Means (And Why It Matters)

The word 'fragrance' on a product label can legally represent hundreds of undisclosed chemical compounds. Phthalates are among the most common. Here is what the loophole means and how to work around it.

6 December 2024Read article
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Guides6 min read

The Weekend Detox: 12 Swaps That Take Under 2 Hours Total

Twelve practical swaps grouped by cost and time. Some are free. Most take under 15 minutes. Together they represent the highest-impact changes you can make without disrupting your life.

29 November 2024Read article
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Chemicals6 min read

Why BPA-free does not mean safe: the BPS substitution problem

When BPA faced regulatory pressure, manufacturers switched to BPS. The problem: BPS has similar oestrogenic activity and may be more persistent in the environment. The label change solved nothing.

28 November 2024Read article
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Research5 min read

Microplastics in the human heart: what the 2024 NEJM study found

A March 2024 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found microplastics in carotid artery plaque. Patients with detectable particles had significantly higher rates of heart attack and stroke.

4 October 2024Read article
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Bathroom10 min read

The complete guide to switching your personal care routine

A systematic approach to replacing parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrance in your daily routine. Which products to change first, and what to look for on ingredient labels.

7 September 2024Read article
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Lighting8 min read

LED lights and sleep: what the science actually says about blue light at night

Blue light between 460 and 495nm suppresses melatonin by up to 42%. The spectrum of light in your home before sleep has measurable effects on sleep quality, metabolic health and cancer risk.

19 August 2024Read article
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Guides12 min read

Room by room: where to start when you are just beginning to reduce chemical exposure

If you are new to this subject, the number of changes feels overwhelming. This guide tells you exactly where to start for the biggest reduction in daily chemical load with the least disruption.

1 July 2024Read article