The Exposure Index

89 Cruciferous VegetablesFood · Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts Minimal 89 Glass Food StoragePlastics · Glass containers for leftovers and meal prep Minimal 89 Regular Sauna UseEnvironment · Consistent sauna or heat bathing Minimal 89 Regular Exercise & SweatEnvironment · Consistent physical activity Minimal 86 Reverse-Osmosis Filtered WaterWater · Under-sink RO system Minimal 86 HEPA-Filtered Indoor AirAir · A true-HEPA air purifier sized to the room Minimal 86 Cast Iron CookwareKitchen · Seasoned cast-iron pans Minimal 86 Stainless Steel CookwareKitchen · 18/10 stainless pans and pots Minimal 86 Filtered Black CoffeeFood · Paper-filtered coffee Minimal 86 Fragrance-Free Basic SkincarePersonal Care · Simple, unscented moisturizer and cleanser Minimal 86 Vinegar & Baking Soda CleaningHome · DIY cleaning basics: vinegar and baking soda Minimal 79 Small Oily Fish (Sardines)Food · Sardines, anchovies, herring Low 75 Carbon-Filter Pitcher WaterWater · Activated-carbon jug filter Low 75 Organic StrawberriesFood · Certified-organic strawberries Low 75 Silicone BakewareKitchen · Food-grade silicone moulds and mats Low 74 Permanent Hair DyePersonal Care · Oxidative permanent hair colour applied at home or salon Low 74 In-Tank Toilet Cleaner TabletsHome · Chlorine-releasing tablets sitting in the toilet cistern Low 72 Chlorinated Shower WaterWater · Hot showers in chlorinated municipal water Low 71 DEET Insect RepellentPersonal Care · Skin-applied mosquito and tick repellent Low 71 Conventional PearsFood · Non-organic pears, eaten with the skin Low 71 Conventional NectarinesFood · Non-organic nectarines with edible skin Low 71 Red Dye No. 3 (Erythrosine)Food · A bright cherry-red synthetic colour in sweets and drinks Low 70 Farmed SalmonFood · Conventionally farmed Atlantic salmon Low 69 Gel Manicure UV LampsPersonal Care · UV curing lamps used to set gel polish Low 68 Dark Chocolate (Heavy Metals)Food · Cocoa-heavy dark chocolate eaten regularly Low 67 Thermal Paper ReceiptsPlastics · Handling glossy receipts, especially with lotion Low 67 Talc-Based Body PowderPersonal Care · Loose talcum powder used on skin Low 67 Chlorinated Pool WaterEnvironment · Frequent indoor chlorinated-pool swimming Low 67 Laser Printer Toner EmissionsAir · Office laser printers on or beside a desk Low 66 Fresh Latex Paint (VOCs)Home · Newly painted interior walls off-gassing solvents Low 65 Uncoated Aluminum CookwareKitchen · Bare aluminum pots and foil with acidic food Low 65 New-Car Interior Off-GassingEnvironment · That 'new car smell' Low 65 Melamine DishwareKitchen · Melamine plates and bowls used with hot food Low 65 Antibacterial WipesHome · Quat-based disinfecting wipes used daily Low 65 Ceramic-Coated Nonstick PansKitchen · Sol-gel 'ceramic' nonstick cookware marketed as PFAS-free Low 65 Chewing Gum (Microplastics)Food · Conventional gum made with a synthetic polymer base Low 65 Petroleum-Based Lip BalmPersonal Care · Mineral-oil / petrolatum lip balm applied and ingested daily Low 64 Conventional ShampooPersonal Care · Shampoo with parabens and harsh surfactants Low 64 Scented Body WashPersonal Care · Fragranced shower gels and washes Low 64 Conventional Body LotionPersonal Care · Fragranced lotions with parabens Low 64 Unlined Copper CookwareKitchen · Bare copper pots in contact with acidic food Low 64 Ultrasonic Humidifier (Tap Water)Home · Cool-mist humidifiers filled straight from the tap Low 64 Imported Farmed ShrimpFood · Cheap imported farmed shrimp of uncertain provenance Low 64 Fabric & Upholstery Stain CleanerHome · Solvent-based spot cleaners for carpets and sofas Low 63 Antibacterial Soap (Triclosan)Personal Care · Hand and body washes marketed as antibacterial Low 63 Deli MeatsFood · Processed sliced ham, salami and cured meats Low 63 Vinyl (PVC) Yoga MatPlastics · Soft PVC exercise and yoga mats Low 63 Conventional KaleFood · Non-organic kale, a frequent pesticide-residue crop Low 63 Conventional PeachesFood · Non-organic peaches and nectarines Low 63 Herbal Teas (Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids)Food · Botanical infusions drunk daily from one source Low 63 Aerosol Hair Spray (VOCs)Personal Care · Propellant hair spray used in an unventilated bathroom Low 62 Plastic Tea BagsFood · Pyramid-style mesh tea bags steeped in boiling water Low 61 Aluminum AntiperspirantPersonal Care · Daily aluminum-based antiperspirant Low 61 Aluminum Foil (Cooking)Kitchen · Wrapping or cooking hot, acidic food in foil Low 61 Garden Hose WaterEnvironment · Drinking from or filling bottles with a standard garden hose Low 60 Plastic Children's ToysPlastics · Soft plastic toys, especially older or imported ones Low 60 Pressed-Wood FurnitureHome · Particleboard and MDF furniture off-gassing Low 60 Disposable Coffee CupsPlastics · Plastic-lined paper cups for hot drinks Low 60 Conventional Green BeansFood · Non-organic fresh or frozen green beans Low 60 Conventional CeleryFood · Non-organic celery stalks Low 60 Conventional CherriesFood · Non-organic fresh cherries Low 60 Canned Tomatoes (BPA-Lined)Food · Acidic canned tomatoes in a can with epoxy lining Low 60 Scented Menstrual PadsPersonal Care · Fragranced disposable pads worn against sensitive tissue Low 60 Aerosol Oven Cleaner (Lye Fumes)Home · Caustic spray oven cleaner used in an enclosed kitchen Low 60 Fireworks Smoke (Perchlorate & Metals)Environment · Standing downwind of consumer fireworks Low 59 Scented Candles (Paraffin)Air · Burning fragranced paraffin candles indoors Moderate 59 Conventional All-Purpose CleanerHome · Fragranced spray cleaners with QUATs/VOCs Moderate 59 Canned & Reused Plastic BottlesPlastics · Refilling single-use bottles; canned drinks Moderate 59 Chemical Hair RelaxersPersonal Care · Chemical straightening and relaxer treatments Moderate 59 3D Printer FumesAir · Desktop filament printers running in an unventilated room Moderate 59 Sea Salt (Microplastics)Food · Salt evaporated from seawater Moderate 59 Charcoal Grill Briquettes (PAH Smoke)Environment · Fat dripping onto hot charcoal, coating food in smoke Moderate 59 Gas-Powered Leaf Blower (2-Stroke)Environment · Standing behind a two-stroke engine that burns oil with fuel Moderate 58 Wood-Burning FireplaceAir · Open indoor wood fires Moderate 58 Charred Grilled MeatFood · Blackened, flame-grilled red meat Moderate 58 White Rice (Arsenic)Food · Rice, especially for daily eaters and infants Moderate 58 Vinyl (PVC) Shower CurtainHome · That 'new shower curtain' smell Moderate 58 Mothballs (Naphthalene)Home · Naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene mothballs in closets Moderate 58 PFAS-Coated Dental FlossPersonal Care · Slick PTFE/PFAS-coated 'glide' floss Moderate 58 Wildfire SmokeEnvironment · Fine-particle smoke during wildfire season Moderate 58 Nail Polish (Triphenyl Phosphate)Personal Care · Conventional polish containing TPHP as a plasticiser Moderate 58 Conventional PotatoesFood · Non-organic potatoes Moderate 58 Faux-Leather (PVC) FurnitureHome · Sofas and chairs upholstered in vinyl 'bonded leather' Moderate 57 Canned Food (BPA Lining)Food · Canned goods with epoxy linings Moderate 57 Oxybenzone SunscreenPersonal Care · Chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone Moderate 57 Frequent Unventilated BleachHome · Regular bleach use in closed rooms Moderate 57 Dryer Sheets & Fabric SoftenerHome · Scented laundry softeners and sheets Moderate 57 Conventional ApplesFood · Non-organic apples eaten with skin Moderate 57 Conventional GrapesFood · Non-organic table grapes Moderate 57 Conventional TamponsPersonal Care · Scented or conventional cotton/rayon menstrual products Moderate 57 Laundry Detergent (1,4-Dioxane)Home · Conventional and heavily fragranced laundry detergents Moderate 57 Aerosol Air Freshener SprayHome · Spray-can room and fabric fresheners Moderate 57 Scented Wax MeltsHome · Flame-free warmers marketed as a cleaner alternative to candles Moderate 57 Conventional BlueberriesFood · Non-organic fresh or frozen blueberries Moderate 57 Conventional Bell PeppersFood · Non-organic sweet bell peppers Moderate 57 Air-Conditioner & HVAC MouldHome · Mould growing on damp cooling coils and filters, then circulated Moderate 57 Brominated Vegetable Oil (Citrus Sodas)Food · A flavour stabiliser in some citrus-flavoured soft drinks Moderate 57 Homosalate SunscreenPersonal Care · A chemical UV filter in daily face and body sunscreen Moderate 56 Dry-Cleaned Clothes (Perc)Environment · Traditional perchloroethylene dry cleaning Moderate 56 Ground Cinnamon (Lead)Food · Some imported ground cinnamon and cinnamon products Moderate 56 Aerosol Sunscreen Spray (Benzene)Personal Care · Spray sunscreens found to contain benzene contamination Moderate 56 Vinyl Tablecloth (Phthalates & Lead)Home · Flexible PVC tablecloths and placemats Moderate 56 Octinoxate SunscreenPersonal Care · A chemical UV filter absorbed through skin Moderate 56 Chemical Drain CleanerHome · Lye- or acid-based liquid drain openers Moderate 56 Ozone-Generating Air PurifiersAir · 'Ionic' or ozone air cleaners run in an occupied room Moderate 56 Parabens in CosmeticsPersonal Care · Preservatives in lotions, shampoos and make-up Moderate 55 Burning IncenseAir · Regular indoor incense Moderate 55 Protein PowderFood · Daily protein-powder shakes Moderate 55 Paper & Bamboo Drinking StrawsPlastics · Plastic-free straws marketed as the eco option Moderate 55 Costume Jewelry (Lead & Cadmium)Personal Care · Cheap metal fashion jewelry and children's trinkets Moderate 54 Off-Gassing New FurnitureAir · New pressed-wood furniture, mattresses, carpet Moderate 54 Plastic Wrap on Hot FoodPlastics · Cling film touching warm, fatty food Moderate 54 Conventional MattressHome · New synthetic mattress off-gassing Moderate 54 Polyester ClothingPlastics · Synthetic fabrics that shed microfibres Moderate 54 Glyphosate Weed KillerEnvironment · Home garden and lawn herbicide use Moderate 54 Recalled Hand Sanitiser (Benzene & Methanol)Personal Care · Gel sanitisers from unverified manufacturers Moderate 53 Turmeric Supplements (Lead)Food · Bulk or imported turmeric powder and capsules Moderate 53 Imported Candy (Lead)Food · Certain imported tamarind, chili or clay-based sweets Moderate 53 Bentonite Clay Detox Products (Lead)Food · Edible 'detox' clay powders and cleanses Moderate 53 Instant Noodle Cups (Boiling Water in Plastic)Plastics · Pouring boiling water directly into a polystyrene or plastic-lined cup Moderate 52 Conventional SpinachFood · Non-organic leafy greens Moderate 52 New CarpetHome · Freshly installed wall-to-wall carpet Moderate 52 Microwave Frozen Meals (Plastic Tray)Plastics · Heating a ready meal in its plastic tray or film Moderate 52 Keratin Hair Smoothing TreatmentsPersonal Care · Salon smoothing systems that release formaldehyde when heated Moderate 52 Rice-Based Drinks (Arsenic)Food · Rice milk used as a dairy alternative Moderate 51 Unvented Gas StoveAir · Gas cooking with no range hood Moderate 51 Aerosol Dry Shampoo (Benzene)Personal Care · Spray-can dry shampoo used near the scalp Moderate 51 Pressure-Treated WoodHome · Chemically treated lumber for decks, raised beds and play sets Moderate 51 Hijiki SeaweedFood · A specific sea vegetable used in Japanese cooking Moderate 51 Harvested RainwaterWater · Roof-collected rainwater used for drinking Moderate 51 Vinyl Mini-Blinds (Lead Dust)Home · Imported PVC window blinds that degrade in sunlight Moderate 50 Plastic Cutting BoardsKitchen · Cutting on soft plastic boards Moderate 50 Ultra-Processed FoodFood · Packaged snacks, sodas, ready meals Moderate 50 Nail Salon ProductsPersonal Care · Gel/acrylic nails, frequent salon visits Moderate 50 Vinyl (PVC) FlooringHome · Flexible vinyl plank or sheet flooring Moderate 50 Black Plastic Kitchen UtensilsKitchen · Black nylon/plastic spatulas and serving spoons Moderate 50 Conventional Makeup (PFAS)Personal Care · Long-wear foundation, mascara and lipstick Moderate 50 Lipstick (Lead & Metals)Personal Care · Colour lipstick reapplied throughout the day Moderate 49 Plug-In Air FreshenersAir · Continuous synthetic-fragrance diffusers Moderate 49 Conventional StrawberriesFood · Non-organic strawberries (a 'Dirty Dozen' crop) Moderate 49 Nonstick Air Fryer BasketKitchen · PTFE-coated air fryer baskets and trays Moderate 49 Plastic Coffee Pods (K-Cups)Kitchen · Single-serve plastic pods brewed with near-boiling water Moderate 49 Artificial Turf (Crumb Rubber)Environment · Synthetic sports and play surfaces with rubber infill Moderate 49 Decorated Vintage GlasswareKitchen · Enamelled or painted drinking glasses and dishes Moderate 48 Settled House DustHome · Accumulated dust on floors and surfaces Moderate 48 Canned TunaFood · Albacore/white canned tuna eaten frequently Moderate 48 Baby Food Pouches (Heavy Metals)Food · Commercial infant purees, especially rice-based ones Moderate 47 Roadside & Traffic AirEnvironment · Living, running, or cycling next to heavy traffic Moderate 47 Unvented Portable Kerosene HeaterAir · Flueless kerosene or paraffin space heaters Moderate 47 Idling a Vehicle in an Attached GarageEnvironment · Warming up or running an engine with the garage door closed Moderate 47 Coloured Tattoo Ink (Metals & PAHs)Personal Care · Pigmented tattoo inks deposited permanently in the skin Moderate 47 Methylene Chloride Paint StripperHome · Solvent paint and coating removers used in a closed room Moderate 47 Titanium Dioxide (E171) in FoodFood · A white colourant in sweets, icing, sauces and supplements Moderate 46 Synthetic Fragrance / PerfumePersonal Care · 'Parfum' in perfume, lotion, and sprays Moderate 46 Microwave Popcorn BagsKitchen · The grease-proof lining of microwave popcorn bags Moderate 46 Vaping / E-Cigarette AerosolAir · Inhaling and exhaling e-cigarette vapour indoors Moderate 46 Fluorinated Plastic ContainersHome · Fluorine-treated HDPE bottles holding household and garden liquids Moderate 45 Infant Rice Cereal (Inorganic Arsenic)Food · Single-grain rice cereal as a first food Moderate 45 Ayurvedic Herbal SupplementsFood · Imported traditional herbal remedies Moderate 44 Unfiltered Tap WaterWater · Municipal drinking water, straight from the tap Moderate 44 Flame-Retardant Furniture FoamHome · Older upholstered sofas and chairs with FR foam Moderate 43 Dairy from PFAS-Affected FarmlandFood · Milk and dairy from livestock grazing land carrying PFAS Moderate 42 Bottled Water (Plastic)Water · Single-use PET bottles Moderate 42 Home & Garden Pesticide SpraysHome · DIY insecticides and weed killers Moderate 42 Hot Greasy Takeout ContainersPlastics · Molded-fiber bowls and grease-proof wrappers Moderate 42 Old Lead PlumbingWater · Lead service lines or old solder in home plumbing Moderate 42 Plastic Baby Bottles (Heated)Plastics · Polypropylene bottles used for hot formula preparation Moderate 41 Untested Basement RadonEnvironment · Lower-floor living space, never tested for radon Moderate 41 Imported Glazed Ceramic DishwareKitchen · Traditional or artisanal glazed pottery used for food Moderate 41 Sewage-Sludge Fertiliser on Garden SoilEnvironment · Biosolids spread or sold as a soil conditioner or fertiliser Moderate 40 Heating Food in PlasticPlastics · Microwaving or storing hot food in plastic Moderate 40 Kohl / Kajal Eyeliner (Lead)Personal Care · Traditional kohl, kajal, surma or tiro eye cosmetics Moderate 38 Stain-Resistant Textiles (PFAS)Home · 'Stain-proof' carpets, sofas, jackets High 38 Fast-Food Wrappers (PFAS)Food · Grease-resistant wrappers, bags and boxes for hot food High 38 Damp & Mould in the HomeHome · Persistent damp, condensation or visible mould growth High 38 Locally Caught Freshwater FishFood · Fish taken from local rivers and lakes rather than bought High 37 Large Predatory FishFood · Tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, shark High 37 Fabric Protector Spray (PFAS)Home · Aftermarket stain-repellent sprays for furniture, shoes and carpet High 37 Hookah / Shisha SmokeEnvironment · Water-pipe tobacco smoked over a long session High 36 Untested Private Well WaterWater · Private well, never tested High 35 Swordfish (High Mercury)Food · A large, long-lived predatory fish high on the food chain High 34 Engineered Stone Countertop DustHome · Dry-cutting or drilling quartz countertops during a fit-out High 33 Skin-Lightening Creams (Mercury)Personal Care · Imported or unregulated skin-whitening and anti-aging creams High 32 Coal-Tar Driveway Sealant (PAHs)Environment · Black sealer coating a drive, path or parking lot High 31 Nonstick (PTFE) CookwareKitchen · Teflon-type nonstick pans High 28 Old Lead PaintHome · Deteriorating paint in homes built before the late 1970s High 24 Vermiculite Attic Insulation (Asbestos)Home · Loose grey-brown pebble insulation in a pre-1990 attic High 19 Secondhand Cigarette SmokeAir · Living or working around indoor smoking Severe 11 Cigarette Smoking (Firsthand)Environment · Directly inhaling tobacco combustion products Severe