Are Everyday Chemicals Making Us Sick?
Updated: May 7
Honor Tremain is an award-winning longevity nutritionist, author, and journalist whose journey into nutrition began with a personal health crisis. Determined to reclaim her life, she completed qualifications in nutrition, eventually healing herself and going on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree.
Everyday products are assumed to be safe, but what if that trust is misplaced? This article examines the hidden world of chemical exposure, revealing how everyday items may carry unseen risks and why greater transparency is urgently needed to protect long-term health.
There are currently more than 150,000 chemicals in commercial use across Australia, China, and the United States, and new ones are introduced every month.
The troubling reality? Only a small fraction of these substances have been rigorously tested for human safety. Even more concerning, manufacturers are not always required to disclose every chemical used in their products, often citing “confidentiality.” But when it comes to what we put on and in our bodies, and those of our children and pets, should transparency really be optional?
To better understand the risks, we spoke with two of Australia’s leading experts in environmental health, Professor Peter Sly and Professor Barry Noller from The University of Queensland.
Their message is clear. Many of the products we use daily may pose long-term health risks, not through obvious dangers like radiation or smoking, but through subtle, cumulative exposure to these hidden toxins.
“When you walk into a supermarket and buy a product off the shelf, you expect that its safety has already been verified,” says Professor Sly. “You trust that the food, drink, or household item you place in your basket is not harmful to you or your family.
It’s not our job as consumers to act as environmental safety officers, yet that’s the position we’re in right now. And it’s not acceptable.”
Professor Sly points to growing evidence linking increased chemical exposure to rising rates of childhood illness like autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory conditions, behavioural challenges including ADHD, autism, and other mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.
Where are these chemicals hiding?
The answer is simple, almost everywhere. We are exposed to chemicals daily through:
Personal care products (soaps, shampoos, skincare, perfumes)
Household cleaners and insecticides
Food and drink packaging
Clothing and furniture
Baby products (bottles, pacifiers, toys)
Contaminated air and household dust
These substances enter our bodies through skin absorption, ingestion, and inhalation, usually without our awareness.
A growing health concern
In the United States alone:
Approximately 6.5 million children (10.5%) have been diagnosed with ADHD
Around 15.5 million adults (6%) are living with ADHD
At the same time, autism rates have risen sharply, with current estimates suggesting 1 in 44 children are affected. Australia is following a similar trajectory.
Alongside these trends, increases in anxiety, depression, and hormonal disturbances are being observed, including earlier puberty in girls and abnormal hormonal development in boys and men.
While these conditions are complex and multifactorial, mounting research suggests environmental chemical exposure may be a significant contributing factor.
How does chemical exposure affect the body?
One of the most profound mechanisms is via epigenetic change. When a developing baby is exposed to certain chemicals, those substances can influence how genes are expressed without altering the DNA itself. In other words, they can switch genes on or off or change how strongly they are activated. This can increase susceptibility to disease later in life.
Who is most vulnerable?
The most at-risk groups include embryos and unborn babies, infants and young children, teenagers, and workers in high-exposure industries, such as mining, firefighting, manufacturing, and the beauty and cleaning sectors.
What chemicals are we talking about?
Some of the most concerning substances include Bisphenols, e.g., BPA, BPS, BPF, found in plastics, food containers, baby bottles and pacifiers. Phthalates, used in plastics and fragrances. Organophosphate pesticides, common in agriculture and household pest control. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., benzo[a]pyrene, produced by fuel combustion. Heavy metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Dioxins, byproducts of industrial processes and high-temperature combustion.
These chemicals can either exit the body relatively quickly, water-soluble, or accumulate over time in organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, and bones, potentially leading to chronic disease, including cancer.
Urban air pollution itself is now classified as carcinogenic, with compounds like benzo[a]pyrene contributing to long-term health risks.
The misleading comfort of labels
Terms like “microwave safe” can create a false sense of security. In reality, this label simply means the container won’t melt or catch on fire in the microwave, not that it won’t release harmful chemicals into your food or drink when heated.
Similarly, “BPA-free” plastics are often replaced with chemically similar alternatives like BPS or BPF, which may carry comparable health risks.
What can we do?
While systemic change is essential, there are practical steps individuals can take to reduce exposure:
Advocate for transparency: Contact government representatives and push for stricter regulations requiring full ingredient disclosure.
Rinse all produce thoroughly: Even organic foods can carry pesticide residues.
Choose organic where possible: This can reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides and should be considered in choices around food, drink, skincare, and household cleaners.
Limit processed foods: Whole foods typically contain fewer additives and contaminants.
Avoid heating plastics: Never microwave food or drinks in plastic containers, especially for babies.
Skip the dishwasher for plastics and use natural dishwashing soaps: Heat and detergents can accelerate chemical leaching into food and drink, which is particularly harmful for babies and toddlers who often have their bottles or cups washed in dishwashers.
Do not reuse disposable plastic bottles: Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic alternatives instead.
Reduce canned food consumption: Many cans are lined with bisphenols.
Minimize chemical sprays: Avoid insecticides, air fresheners, and antibacterial sprays where possible.
Control household dust: Regular vacuuming helps reduce exposure to chemical-laden particles.
A call for accountability
Both Professor Sly and Professor Noller agree that stronger regulation and greater transparency are urgently needed. Manufacturers should be required to disclose all ingredients in their products, just as food producers are.
“Companies often hide behind ‘confidentiality,’” says Professor Sly. “But this is fundamentally a safety issue. People have a right to know what they’re really using and being exposed to.”
About the experts
Professor Peter Sly, Founder, Children’s Health and Environment Program, Child Health Research Centre UQ, Professor, The University of Queensland, Emeritus Physician, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Queensland Children’s Hospital
Professor Barry Noller, University of Queensland, Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Specialist in environmental contamination, toxicology, and risk assessment
Read more from Honor Tremain
Honor Tremain, Nutritionist, Author, and Journalist
Honor Tremain is an award-winning longevity nutritionist, author, and journalist whose journey into health began with a personal crisis where, between the ages of 18 and 23, Honor was bedridden with multiple chronic illnesses & determined to reclaim her life, she completed a Diploma in Nutrition, eventually healing herself, and went on to complete a science degree. Honor opened a thriving nutrition practice in Sydney, Australia, became a columnist and feature journalist for national and international publications, and in 2015, Honor published her debut book, A Diet in Paradise. Most recently, she founded Daya Pet Food Co., a health-focused and sustainable dog food company that was proudly awarded Best Health-Conscious Dog Food Brand 2025.
