Page 59 - Prevention - USA (April 2020)
P. 59
MYTH #1
Air quality is always better
inside than outside.
MYTHBUSTER Not so a lot of the
time. “Especially in smaller homes
or ones that don’t have appropriate
ventilation, the air quality can
be much worse than outdoor air MYTH #2
pollution,” says Jon Levy, Sc.D., Organic tampons
chair of environmental health at are healthier.
Boston University School of Public
Health. Candles, gas stoves, fresh MYTHBUSTER No compelling research
paint, particleboard furniture, shows that organic varieties are
and housecleaning sprays can safer than the standard kind.
all contribute, and if you’re in Tampons are regulated by the FDA
a smoggy area, throwing the as medical devices, which means
windows open may not feel like they’re tested to ensure that they’re
much of a solution. Simple things safe and effective. That said, “If
you can do to breathe more easily you have super-sensitive skin, it’s
inside: Change your HVAC filters reasonable to go organic,” says
regularly to make sure they’re Alyssa Dweck, M.D., a gynecologist
optimally removing fine airborne at the CareMount Medical Center
particles; clean bathroom and in Westchester County, NY. That’s
kitchen ventilation fans, and be because organic tampons tend to be
especially mindful to crank them unscented and made with organic
up when cleaning with products cotton (versus a bleached rayon-
like ammonia and bleach; and give cotton blend), which means fewer
candles and incense the boot. potential irritants. Whichever you
use, change them frequently:
A 2018 study in the journal Applied
and Environmental Microbiology
found that organic tampons were as
likely as regular ones to cause the
rare but life-threatening bacterial
infection toxic shock syndrome.
AP R I L 2020 • PREVENTION.COM 57
