The chemical families that matter most
These chemical families appear most consistently in peer-reviewed research on household exposure. Each page includes what the research says, where the chemical hides, how it affects your body, and exactly what to do about it.
PFAS
Forever Chemicals
Found in non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant treatments and dental floss. Accumulate in the body for years.
BPA & BPS
Plasticisers
Industrial chemicals in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy can linings. BPS is the unsafe replacement manufacturers switched to when BPA was restricted.
Phthalates
Plasticisers and fragrance carriers
In PVC plastics, synthetic fragrance, personal care products and vinyl flooring. The most widespread endocrine disruptors in modern homes.
Microplastics
Plastic particles and nanoplastics
Particles under 5mm shed from plastic packaging, synthetic textiles, and coatings. Found in human blood, hearts and brains in recent research.
Parabens
Synthetic preservatives
The most common preservatives in cosmetics and personal care. Weak oestrogen mimics detectable in breast tumour tissue.
VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds
Chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Released by paint, furniture, air fresheners, cleaning products and dry-cleaned clothing.
Formaldehyde
Methanal / Formalin
Released continuously from MDF furniture, pressed wood flooring and certain personal care products. WHO classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Heavy Metals
Lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium
No safe exposure threshold. Lead in old paint and plumbing causes irreversible neurodevelopmental harm in children. Mercury from predatory fish accumulates over a lifetime.
Flame Retardants
PBDEs, TBBPA, organophosphates
Added to furniture foam, electronics and mattresses. PBDEs were phased out but remain in older items and were replaced by compounds showing similar toxicity.
Chlorine Byproducts
Trihalomethanes, chloroform, HAAs
Formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in tap water. Absorbed through drinking, cooking and particularly through skin in the shower.
Synthetic Fragrance
Parfum, fragrance, masking agents
A single word on an ingredient label concealing a formula of potentially hundreds of undisclosed compounds including phthalates, synthetic musks and sensitisers.
Organophosphates
OPs, nerve agent derivatives
Agricultural and domestic pesticides that inhibit nerve signal enzymes. Found as residues on conventional produce and in domestic pest control products.
Optical Brighteners
Fluorescent whitening agents, FWAs
Added to most mainstream laundry detergents. Not rinsed out: deposited on fabric and skin with every wash. Poorly biodegradable.
BPA Alternatives
BPS, BPF, BPAF and bisphenol analogues
The chemicals that replaced BPA in "BPA-free" products. Same endocrine-disrupting profile, less studied, and now found in 81% of people tested.
Pesticide Residues
Organophosphates, glyphosate, neonicotinoids
Agricultural chemical traces in food. Linked to Parkinson's disease, cognitive decline, cancer and gut microbiome disruption. Found on 70% of non-organic produce.
Heavy Metals in Water
Lead, arsenic, chromium-6
Toxic metals in tap water from old pipes, industrial runoff and geological deposits. No safe level of lead exposure in children. Detectable only through testing.
Mould and Mycotoxins
Mould toxins, trichothecenes, ochratoxin
Fungal toxins in damp buildings. Linked to respiratory damage, neurological effects and immune disruption. An estimated 25% of homes have significant moisture or mould problems.