They were stunned to learn the truth was closer to home. Most of their exposure came from harmless-looking plastics, flame-retardant clothing, beauty products and household cleaners.
A new study says we tend to put too much blame on environmental disasters that don't actually affect us.
"It's the consumer products" that bring chemicals into our bodies, says Kathleen Cooper, a researcher for the Canadian Environmental Law Association.
And while a study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior was done in Cape Cod, she says exactly the same mindset prevails here. Canadians "are surprised when we talk about consumer products as a key source."
"People have this assumption that a product is on a shelf, and someone has made sure that it's safe, nothing toxic in it. And that is a false assumption."
Outdoor air pollution still matters, she noted, "but the area that is coming forward as very important is indoor exposure. We spend 80 per cent of our time indoors."
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