Here at Toxic Roots, we are declaring independence from toxins this holiday. Explore our ultimate guide to a toxin-free celebration, curated by our health experts. Whether hosting a big bash or heading out to join the festivities, we’ve gathered the best tips and tricks to optimize your party-going.
#1 The Thirst Quencher:
The Fourth of July is one of the hottest holidays of the year. Last year, the average high temperature spanning the country was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Let this be a reminder to stay hydrated, but don’t reach for those plastic water bottles. An easy way to avoid both pollution and plastic toxicity is with a reusable water bottle. Opting for the reusable option will decrease your exposure to microplastics and harmful chemicals like BPA and antimony.
Additionally, plastic bottles that are left out in high temperatures may release more toxins. This was seen by scientists at Arizona State University in 2008 when they looked at how heat sped up the release of antimony in PET bottles. You can read that study here.
#2 Prepare to Hydrate, Hydrate to Prepare:
Now that you’ve located your lead-free reusable bottle or cup (“cough, cough” Stanley Cup, we are not talking about you), let’s talk about what to do to ensure optimal hydration. The first key is to hydrate before the big day. This is called “preloading,” a concept used in endurance training to increase performance and duration during a long hot workout. Being adequately hydrated initially gives you a significant reserve of fluids to use over time, compared to starting dehydrated. Being well-hydrated from the start also has additional advantages. For example, it enhances your blood volume, which supports overall cardiovascular function and aids in cooling your body as your muscles generate heat. So preload with proper hydration and electrolytes. Skip the Gatorade and other sugary sports drinks, instead reach for ORYX Desert Salt or another sugar-free electrolyte replacement.
#3 Slather Up Safely:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, UV radiation levels peak during April through August. Selecting the right sunscreen during the summer months is crucial to limit your toxin exposure. Chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone should be avoided. Multiple studies confirm that toxins in sunscreens can be absorbed through the skin and particularly, homosalate, avobenzone, and oxybenzone raise concern over their endocrine-disrupting effects. The U.S. currently uses nine different chemicals in sunscreen that are flagged for health concerns. To see the official breakdown of each chemical, you can visit The Environmental Working Group’s database here.
Instead, opt for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. The FDA has even stated that these are “generally recognized as safe and effective.”
#4 Bug Spray That Doesn’t Bug Your Biology:
Similar to sunscreen, selecting a non or low-tox bug spray will also help reduce your potential toxin load. The common active ingredients in bug spray are DEET, IR3535, and Picaridin. These have been approved by the EPA to effectively protect against a variety of pests including mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. Despite previous concerns over neurotoxicity from DEET, studies between 2003 and 2017 prove that this effect is very unlikely. Regardless, many articles advise selecting options that have no more than 30% DEET and no more than 20% IR3535. Additional active ingredients include oil of lemon eucalyptus and 2-undecanone. These may provide protection but for a shorter amount of time. Each of these chemicals may result in some form of skin irritation. As a safety measure for allergies and irritation, do a spot test prior to dousing your whole body. This is especially important for children. The general consensus among most studies implicates children as being more susceptible to toxins.
#5 Ditch The Dyes:
A red, white, and blue holiday calls for an extreme amount of dyes in festive foods. There are nine reported artificial dyes that raise health concerns, specifically Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, all containing carcinogens. If you are hosting, take the time to select natural food dye options. Cherries, hibiscus, and beets are a simple swap for vibrant reds. Blue spirulina, blueberries, red cabbage, or pea flowers can be used in substitution for Blue 1.
If you plan to be someone’s guest this holiday, try to avoid artificial sweets on the picnic table. Instead, opt for whole-natural foods like fruits to fill your cravings. You can also prepare by eating a protein-rich breakfast and lunch to help with satiety and energy throughout the day.
#6 Grass-Fed Grilling:
When firing up the grill, selecting the right meat is as important for your health as it is for the flavor on your plate. Embracing grass-fed grilling underscores a commitment to healthier, environmentally friendly eating practices. Opting for grass-fed and grass-finished meats, which are richer in nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and essential vitamins, provides a superior nutritional profile compared to their grain-fed counterparts. Moreover, grass-fed meats come from animals that have grazed in natural pastures rather than being confined to feedlots, thus reducing your exposure to various chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. You should also ditch the hot dogs and other processed meat this Fourth of July. The World Health Organization considers processed meats a carcinogen.
#7 The Chillest Way to Grill:
The American Institute for Cancer Research has an evolving guide to “cancer-safe grilling.” Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines are among the notorious cancer-causing compounds in the grilling process. They occur when fat drips off meat and down into the grill grates, “gets burned, because the carbon inside is being combusted in the flames, and those hydrocarbons get carried up in the smoke,” said Rashmi Sinha, senior investigator in the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute. The resulting smoke can envelop the meat and coat it with potentially carcinogenic compounds.
For the grill itself, avoid charcoal briquettes that contain additives and lighter fluid, which can emit harmful chemicals. Instead, use natural lump charcoal or consider grilling with a gas grill to reduce airborne toxins. Also, consider using herbs and smoking woods like cedar and hickory which can add flavor naturally.
#8 Spark Up Safely:
This blog will conclude with a bang, just like your Fourth celebrations will likely end with fireworks. As pretty as the holiday pyrotechnics are, their particle matter was found to introduce significant amounts of toxic heavy metals into the atmosphere that are hazardous to human health. First, try to avoid creating your own fireworks show. Many cities have local shows that can increase the distance between you and the toxins. Try to find a watching spot that is upwind of the extravaganza to prevent exposure as well.
Fireworks also pose an environmental effect. In 2004 Disney, which releases 90,000+ pounds of fireworks a year, created a system for smokeless launch. Using compressed air to propel fireworks into the sky, the company eliminated their need for black powder entirely which results in carbon dioxide emissions instead of smoke and perchlorate. The making of this alternative reduced the metal content from the fireworks by 90%.
As you set out to celebrate this Fourth of July, remember that true independence comes with the knowledge and actions we take to safeguard our health and the environment. By choosing toxin-free practices as outlined in our guide, you not only enjoy a safer holiday but also contribute to a healthier planet. So this Fourth, let’s declare independence from harmful toxins, embrace sustainable practices, and celebrate with mindfulness. Have a safe, joyful, and environmentally friendly Fourth of July from all of us at Toxic Roots!
SOURCES:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0043135407005246?via%3Dihub#!
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/uviguide.pdf
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals
https://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/bug-repellents
https://www.aicr.org/news/cancer-experts-issue-warning-on-grilling-safety
https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-020-00360-4