We live in a world where toxic chemicals that haven’t been tested for safety are lurking everywhere, including in our food, drinking water, personal care products, household cleaners, furniture, clothing, children’s toys and many other items. Chronic exposure to these chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs),is making us sick in ways we don’t yet fully understand, says green living expert and Mamavation.com founder Leah Segedie in her new book, “Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier.”

A jury in Middlesex County, New Jersey, awarded $30 million in compensatory damages on Thursday to a man who got cancer after decades of using talcum powder. His wife was awarded $7 million in damages.

Although automobile emissions are declining, contributions to air pollution from household products is rising, now estimated to be 50 percent of volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollution. Once VOCs migrate outside your home they react with nitrogen oxides and heat, transforming into ozone, and when exposed to sunlight, the VOCs transform into fine particulate matter. Researchers find those who use cleaning sprays as seldom as once a week for 20 years suffer similar decline in lung function as those who smoke a pack a day for 10 to 20 years. 

Popular personal products chain Ulta Beauty is accused of reselling used products.

The rapidly-growing company with more than 1,000 stores in 48 states is facing two class-action lawsuits that claim employees repackaged products that were damaged or returned and then put them back on shelves.