No, we’re not talking about eating your shampoo here! A 2010 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that hormone-disrupting phthalates are finding their way into produce. Phthalates are fragrance chemicals used in soaps and shampoos. Experts believe human sewage sludge is a potential source, as it is often used as a fertilizer to farm fields. Shampoo chemicals wash down the drain and end up at the water-treatment plant, which is then made into sludge.
Human sewage sludge is banned in organic farming, so you know you’re safe when you buy oraganic produce. Organic Gardening suggests asking your local farmers – who aren’t certified organic – how they fertilize the soil. If you grow your own produce in the backyard, be sure to avoid using compost that lists “biosolids” as an ingredient. Look for high-quality compost that is crumbling, earthy, and dark.
