Over-Sanitizing in the Time of COVID

To prevent the spread of the virus, all of us have been EXTRA diligent with sanitizing anything and everything with various cleaning products that typically contain a slew of synthetic chemicals. In a time when protecting your immune system is critical, you can’t help but wonder what effects our enhanced cleaning procedures have on our health and resilience.

Recently, Chris Kresser published an article that tackles this exact subject. Harsh chemicals commonly found in household cleaners are known to affect most bodily systems and functions, including respiratory, liver, kidney, brain, thyroid, reproductive/hormonal, and immune function. He also states:

Our obsession with sanitizing our environments doesn’t just expose us to toxic chemicals; it also disrupts the microbial ecosystems on our skin, in our gastrointestinal tracts, and even in our living spaces. The hygiene hypothesis posits that a lack of exposure to particular microorganisms, particularly in the early years of our lives, predisposes us to disease down the road. Over-sanitizing our environments may thus be obliterating the beneficial microbes on, in, and around us, disrupting our biology in the process.

The solution? Stick to the tried and true: vinegar and water or soap. You can also utilize the Environmental Working Group’s “Guide to Healthy Cleaning” as a resource for sourcing safe and effective cleaning products free of harmful chemicals mentioned in Kresser’s article.

Read the full article here for more information and helpful tips on ways to counteract the effects of chemical exposure from cleaning products.