How you can reduce personal exposure to heavy metals.

365 days per year all of us are exposed to heavy metals.

These may include lead, arsenic, and mercury, (and a host of lesser known nasties!) that can harm your health.

Eliminating toxins from our environment is, it seems, even beyond the ability of our glorious leaders, but there are things you can do now. I like to think of them as my real life insurance policy. No premiums, no payout except a long and happy life!

Review your daily food choices:
One of the most common causes of heavy metal exposure is from our food. Certain foods are known to be a higher risk for containing heavy metals. Tuna, king mackerel, marlin, shark, swordfish, bottom feeding crustaceans and tilefish,are all risky. Mercury is commonly found in large, predatory fish.
Arsenic is typically found in rice, and lead
is usually found in – would you believe it?) bone broth from factory herds. This doesnt ímply that you should completely abstain from these foods – just choose the right ones.

There are some small hacks to getting elss heavy metals that work in some cases and not others. Cooking rice in a coffee pot can lower its arsenic content, but cooking bones to make bone broth won’t because bones store lead.

Eat detoxifying foods:
There are also foods that can protect you from heavy metals. Include foods like cruciferous vegetables, fiber, phytates, probiotics, cilantro, and black sesame seeds. These foods can help eliminate heavy metals from the body.

Drink good water via a filter that removes heavy metals!
You may want to consider getting your water tested for heavy metals, especially if you have a well or if your house has older plumbing. Heavy metals can contaminate the groundwater through soil contamination of underground aquifers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20 percent of the water systems in the country have unsafe levels of lead. Here`s a link to a report last year on lead in Australian homes.

Invest in a high-quality water filtration system that is shown to remove heavy metals for your home water.

Discriminate in choosing cosmetics and personal care products:
Widely-used personal care products like sunscreen, nail polish, makeup, whitening toothpaste contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, and aluminum. These toxic chemicals are actually used as added ingredients in consumer products. There are plenty of safer alternatives.

Get an air purifier for your home:
You may also be exposed to heavy metals through the air you breathe, so getting an air purifier that filters out these toxic chemicals for your home makes good sense. One of the most common heavy metals that exist in the air is arsenic. Cadmium, chromium, and nickel are also airborne heavy metals. These toxic substances are in the air primarily due to human activities like using aerosol products, driving cars, and running heavily-polluting industrial businesses.

Minimize your exposure to these metals by the simple act of removing your shoes before entering your house. Your shoes may contain heavy metals from outdoors and may spread it around the house.

Why should you be wary of heavy metals.

Exposure to heavy metals can lead to heavy metal poisoning. This occurs when these toxic chemicals accumulate in the soft tissues of the body. The symptoms of heavy metal poisoning vary, depending on the type of heavy metal. In general, it can lead to an autoimmune disorder, reproductive problems, infections, weakness, brain damage, and bone loss, to name a few.

Seriously bad news and not what my natural life insurance policy includes.

As more people realize the benefits of vinyl replacement windows, we are now seeing a greater selection of vinyl window types. The most popular are the UPVC and the aluminium. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, vinyl can be installed with ease, is easy to maintain and can be considered more energy efficient than other materials such as aluminium. The only real disadvantage of using vinyl is that it is now so popular that there is now a vast range of products produced using vinyl. The reason for this is because it is cheap to produce, durable and is widely available. There is a misconception that only the rich and famous install vinyl or even that it is a waste of money. This is simply not true. Aluminium is probably the best-known material for DIY project windows, but a PVC or aluminium window can also be purchased ready made and fitted for a great deal less than a comparable aluminium one. One of the key things to remember about window installation however is that it is a rigid material. It is therefore better to use a high quality vinyl and ensure that it has been cut properly and sanded to a proper degree of thickness. Also check that the cut edges have been squared off to ensure they are straight and that the seams are accurately sewn. A little care will go a long way in ensuring that your installation is a success and that you have purchased a product that will last for years to come. Many suppliers offer a lifetime guarantee on their products as part of their standard contract. Another thing to bear in mind when comparing vinyl and aluminium is that both require a certain amount of cleaning. When dealing with aluminium you will need to use a primer before painting or treating it with any liquid as this will significantly reduce the chemical component of the finish. Similarly, a simple wipe with a damp cloth to remove dust will do the job. If you are using a vinyl window treatment, simply wiping it down with a clean cloth will remove the majority of dust and dirt. Another key factor when comparing aluminium and vinyl is that both are prone to flammability. Vinyl is actually far more flammable than its aluminium counterpart and it is important to consider this when installing. If you are having work carried out on an air source heating system, vinyl may actually increase the risk of damage. Aluminium though is relatively less likely to ignite when exposed to fire. As with all types of installation, it is always best to seek professional advice before commencing. This ensures that you are choosing the best materials for your particular application and that your chosen company has the knowledge and expertise to deal with the task. Never undertake a DIY project without the necessary tools and equipment. As with all DIY projects, it is also important to take into account weather conditions and other factors which may affect the success of your window replacement. So whether you are looking to replace an entire window, a section or a single wall it is important to get all the facts from your chosen company so that your installation is a success.