While you can't return to a toxin-free Eden, there are some things you can do to reduce your exposure to common chemicals, or possibly purge the ones already in your system. If you're aiming for a return to purity, several detox programs and supplements claim to flush toxins out of your system. However, there's a good deal of debate over their effectiveness. Anila Jacob, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group and an M.D., says she has never recommended these for her patients since she did not know of any that had been tested in a scientifically rigorous way.

Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, a board-certified M.D. at the Morrison Center in New York, supervises detox programs and says they can be effective. He sees patients who have allergies to mold, people who have experienced symptoms associated with sick building syndrome, and others with heavy-metal buildup. Depending on their symptoms, patients might, after filling out a questionnaire, have blood work done. In some cases, dietary changes are recommended, and medication might be prescribed.

Reduction of exposure to the problem chemical is also essential. Morrison does not think everyone needs to fear environmental chemicals, but he recommends that they be aware of possible symptoms, since just as with prescription medicine, everyone's body handles environmental chemicals differently. "With heavy metals, if a person doesn't have the inherent biochemical pathways to detoxify metals, then they will be stored in the body," he says. "They will accumulate and at some point start causing symptoms."

Morrison suggests that people seek the guidance of a doctor-for names, he recommends the American Academy of Environmental Medicine and the American College for the Advancement of Medicine-and says people should not try to detox themselves, since they could actually become sicker.

In terms of reducing your exposure, food is a primary culprit. Davis Baltz, a senior program director at Commonweal (another nonprofit that does biomonitoring) says after reading the various biomonitoring studies, consumers might choose to eat lower on the food chain, and consume less fat.

Other ways to reduce your exposure include:

Fish smart. The Environmental Defense's Oceans Alive website provides a list of the safest fish to eat.

Scan your produce. The EWG's Shoppers Guide names fruits and vegetables that carry the most pesticide residue.

Do an about-face. You might want to consider switching brands of moisturizer, too; the EWG's Skin Deep study details toxic ingredients in makeup and personal-care products.

Clean green. Cleaning products can also be sources of chemicals in your home. Consider greener cleaners-nontoxic, biodegradable products that come in recyclable packaging-or make your own with tried-and-true safe ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. But Jacob warns that chemical exposure is not something you can shop your way out of.

Ditch plastic for steel. Plastics have received considerable attention in recent years, and there is much debate about the toxicity of their chemical components. Some studies have found that microwaving plastic containers and plastic wrap causes them to leach harmful chemicals into food. Bisphenol A, which has been shown to mimic hormones and disrupt the reproductive systems of rats, is a chemical in plastic that has been shown to leach out of canned-food liners. Even if you're unsure about the science, it's a good idea to cut down on your use of plastic anyway-it's made from petroleum and hangs around on Earth forever. Steel canteens make for a nifty alternative to plastic water bottles.

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