Test Your Body for 10 Common Hormone Disrupting Chemicals

I’ve worked with the Silent Spring Institute for years and they have always been a “go-to” resource for the latest science on environmental health. Their organization helps translates the best scientific research into laywoman’s terms, about which chemicals are important to avoid in everyday consumer products, why it matters, and consumer and policy solutions. It’s only fitting as the organization was named after one of the pioneering women scientists—Rachel Carson—who wrote the landmark book Silent Spring in 1962.

Today, the Silent Spring Institute (SSI) is launching the first of its kind national biomonitoring test of toxic chemicals. In short: 100 people, 30 days, 10 toxic chemicals. I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of being biomonitored (the technical term for measuring toxic chemicals in one’s body), especially after having my mercury tested by the Environmental Working Group. I’ve been talking about this for over a decade, have my choices to switch to safer products paid off?

According to SSI, they will be testing for the following hormone disrupting chemicals:

Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS): Used in some plastics, food and beverage packaging, and receipt paper.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3): Commonly found in many sunscreen products.

Triclosan (TCS) and Triclocarban (TCC): Antibacterial and antifungal agents found in consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps, detergents, toys, and surgical cleaning treatments.

2,4-dichlorophenol (24-DCP): A breakdown product of the widely-used herbicide 2,4-D, and may have other sources.

2,5-dichlorophenol (25-DCP): A breakdown product of 1,4-DCB, which is used in mothballs and some toilet deodorizers. 1,4-DCB is classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Butyl paraben (B-PB), Ethyl paraben (E-PB), Methyl paraben (M-PB): The most widely used preservatives in personal care products.

Here is more from the Silent Spring Institute on their study:

“The study is being funded through Indiegogo—a popular online crowdfunding platform. People who
sign up to participate in the study through Indiegogo will each receive a Detox Me™ Action Kit. Each
kit costs $299 and includes an easy and non-invasive urine test that detects the presence of 10
common chemicals in the body, including BPA and parabens. All 10 compounds are endocrine
disruptors, meaning they can interfere with the body’s natural system of hormones and therefore raise
concerns about reproductive problems, thyroid disorders, asthma, cancer, and other health effects.

Here’s how the test works:

Receive your Detox Me™ Action Kit in the mail. The kit contains two glass jars, instructions, a
cold pack, a link to our online survey, and a return shipping label

• Take an online survey
• Collect and freeze two urine samples—one in the morning, one at the end of the day
• Mail your frozen samples back to Silent Spring Institute
• Get your report. In about 8-12 weeks, Silent Spring will send you a personalized digital report
  that compares your results with the collective data from all Detox Me participants

Currently, the only national biomonitoring program for these chemicals is conducted by the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) using surveillance data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES). However, the program operates in a limited number of locations and on a limited
scale, and therefore is not open to everyone. Also, participants in NHANES do not receive their results
and the CDC does not collect data on the different products they use.”

So, in a nutshell you should do this with me! I’ll be signing up today, and encourage you to as well.

Join the Detox Me Action Kit HERE.

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