EVERY ONE of us carries traces of chemicals in our bodies and as the use of chemicals in our everyday life has increased, so too have the cases of cancer, hormonal and reproductive problems and neurological disorders. And moving to the country in the quest for fresh air doesn't mean you can escape this chemical plague either.

What's to blame? Common household products that may seem innocuous, from carpets, computers, toiletries, weedkiller, cleaners and building products. The average woman uses 12 toiletries every day and consequently applies more than 175 chemical compounds to her body, according to the campaign Chemical Safe Skincare (www.chemicalsafeskin care.co .uk). Your skin absorbs up to 60% of what is put on it and children's skins are five times thinner than adults. A World Wildlife Fund (WWF) study found these chemicals could be linked to a rise in breast cancer - over the past 30 years, the number of cases has risen by an astonishing 81%.

These chemicals are known as hormone disruptors or EDCs (endocrine disrupting chemicals) because they interfere with the tricky hormonal development of a foetus, causing cells to behave abnormally, or they act as a blocker, preventing hormones from behaving as scripted. EDCs settle in fatty tissue, such as breast tissue, which could explain the rise in numbers.

Professor Philippe Grandjean, of Harvard School for Public Health, recently published in the Lancet an extensive list of chemicals, to which exposure in the womb or early in life can be very harmful to brains and can lead to learning disabilities and developmental problems. Five - lead, mercury, PCBs, toluene and arsenic - are already well documented. The others include pesticides, carbon monoxide, fluoride, manganese and common chemicals like acetone, benzyl alcohol and perchloroethylene, a chemical used in dry cleaning.

However, what is worrying is that scientists don't yet know how a lot of these chemicals interact in these infinite cocktails. The chemicals to be most aware of are: l Phthalates: found in skincare products, children's toys, perfumes, paints, sex toys and plastics to make them more flexible. Large amounts of phthalates can damage the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the developing testes by leaching into the body through saliva or transferred from plastic packaging into meat, dairy and processed foods. Buy loose fruit and veg, go to a butcher or fishmonger, and opt for organic. Encourage your child to play with traditional wooden toys - easier said than done but The Big Top toy shop (26 Charing Cross Mansion, Glasgow 0141 332 3300) has an excellent selection.

l Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS): the sudsing agent in your shampoo, cleanser and toothpaste is a carcinogen and can cause kidney and liver damage, as well as nervous system disruption, the US Environmental Protection Agency says. Look out for ingredients with polyethylene, glycol, or oxynol in them, which have a similar impact. Avoiding products with these ingredients may seem like a gargantuan task but there is a growing market, with quality, chemical-free products. Log on to www.theremustbeabetter way.co.uk for a choice of plenty of natural products. Phytoshield's botanical toothpastes are available at Holland&Barrett.

l Parabens: are a preservative in skincare products but their chemical structure has been shown to mimic oestrogen and a 2004 study from the University of Reading linked their use in deodorants to an increased risk of breast cancer. Scientists are divided on this one but, bowing to consumer demand, many products no longer contain parabens.

l Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): formerly used as coolants and lubricants in heavy industry and machinery, and as a flame retardant. Currently banned, it's a very stable compound so doesn't degrade easily and has been leaching into the soil and water table, then into the food chain, because of improper disposal. Effects include skin rashes, liver damage, anaemia, fertility, thyroid and immune system problems. Check with your council where the nearest landfill or incineration site is and always report flytippers. Old fridges and freezers often contain PCBs.

l Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs): used in non-stick pans, stain removers, floor cleaners and fast-food packaging, PFCs have been found in breast milk, according to a recent study. Raised PFC levels have been linked with birth defects, pituitary gland problems, cancer and abnormal organ growth. Use copper, iron, or stainless-steel cookware instead. Baby wipes are a great stain remover and for a natural floor cleaner use equal parts baking soda and borax powder and two parts white vinegar - this will disinfect and keep the creepy-crawlies away.

l Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): used to make products fireproof and found in sofas, foam-filled cushions and TV and computer screens. These have been linked to the increasing number of miscarriages and sterility, fuelled by the enormous amount of time we sit in front of the telly and computer. Turning them off when not in use slows the release of these chemicals into the air. Next time you need to buy a computer, ask about its environmental impact rating. These aren't mandatory but any quality manufacturer should be able to tell you the level of BFRs used. Fewer BFRs are generally used in manufacturing a laptop.