But we have the tools to reduce the amount of harmful compounds we ingest and put on our bodies. Here are a few resources to get you started.

The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” 2012 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce lists fruits and vegetables most likely to turn up at your table with traces of pesticides. The EWG also lists food items least likely to contain pesticides by the time you’re preparing them for dinner, including onions, pineapples, and sweet corn, in its “Clean Fifteen” report.

Some toothpastes, skincare products, and cosmetics have ingredients that can be harmful, ranging from hormone disruptors to fragrances that might cause an allergic reaction. The EWG Skin Deep directory lets you look up your favorite products and check out their ingredients.

The Healthy Child Healthy World trusted partner directory provides information about brands and companies that meet the organization’s standards.

“By becoming a partner, these companies exhibit a strong commitment to safer, greener chemistry and manufacturing through elimination of harmful chemicals, toxic byproducts, and wasteful or hazardous materials,” Healthy Child says.