We are surrounded by harmful toxins all day long. It goes way beyond what most people realize.

Avoiding toxin exposure is one key to the prevention of disease, particularly the prevention of autoimmune conditions and cancer. Listed below are 9 essential items to get rid of to reduce you toxic exposure.

9 Toxic Household Items You Need to Get Rid Of Right Away

1. Vegetable, Seed oils, Margarine and Trans Fats

Cooking oils are a kitchen staple, but many of the most widely used oils are unhealthy. Vegetable and seed oils are not only highly processed they are also high in Omega- 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A diet that is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids could cause an increase in inflammation resulting in diabetes and other diseases. Margarine containing trans fat is also bad for your health. Research reveals that these types of spreads increase the risk of heart disease. Replace these oils with a more natural alternative such as butter, coconut oil or olive oil.

2. Old Makeup and Toxic

When is the last you looked closely inside your makeup bag? Makeup items like mascara, eye liner and lipstick can harbor a lot of bacteria because they are applied directly to the skin. Most makeup products don’t have an expiration date, but there are some ways to determine if it’s time to throw them out. If the product looks dry or clumps together, then it is a good time to throw it away. You should also throw out the product when it stops working or causes breakouts.

Likewise, what you put on your face, you absorb through your skin. Be sure your makeup does not contain harmful chemicals including parabens, phthalates, oxybenzone, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate, talc, triclosan. This is just a small list. There are more.

3. Toxic Cleaning Products

The cleaning products you use to keep your kitchen, bathrooms and floors clean contain harsh chemicals that could cause serious health issues if they are inhaled or touched. Read the labels on your cleaning products carefully and beware of products that contain chemicals like bleach, ammonia and fragrances.

Get rid of these products and make your own. Homemade cleaning products can be made by combining simple household items like baking soda and white vinegar with water.

4. Old Non-Stick Pans

Cooking with non-stick pans makes cleaning up much easier, but the chemical that is used to make them non-stick is toxic. The synthetic substance that is used on non-stick pans is known to emit dangerous fumes that may cause cancer if regularly inhaled.

In 2006, these concerns led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to order that the 8 manufacturers using this chemical completely eliminate it from their products by 2015. If you’ve purchased your non-stick pans before this or if they are scratched, then it’s time to get a new set of pans. Find out how to recycle your old pans by checking Earth911.com. You could also buy a new cookware set from Calphalon and let them recycle your old pans for you.

5. Air Fresheners

Air fresheners may keep your home smelling nice, but these products are often made with harmful chemicals. According to a study by the National Resources Defense Council, most air fresheners contain phthalates. These chemicals pose a danger when inhaled frequently and may even cause cancer. To avoid these chemicals, throw out any aerosol sprays or plug-in air fresheners. Instead use essential oils or soy candles to eliminate odors.

6. Expired Products

Make it a habit to check your pantry and medicine cabinet for expired products. Items such as flour, vitamins and spices may have a long shelf-life, but don’t count on them being very useful once they’re expired.

7. Canned Goods

Frequently referred to as BPA, bisphenol A is the chemical commonly used in the lining of canned goods. Although BPA studies are ongoing, this chemical has been linked to serious health problems including cancer and heart disease. Some studies have shown that the regular consumption of canned goods increases the exposure to this hazardous chemical. In 2011, Harvard conducted a study which found a significant increase in BPA concentrations in the urine of students who ate canned soup.

8. Plastic Containers

Plastic containers are widely used to store leftovers and other foods, but using these products poses serious health risks. Chemicals like BPA, dioxin and vinyl chloride are found in some plastic containers and can potentially leach into your food. Studies have shown that exposure to these chemicals can cause serious health problems including breast cancer. Instead of plastic containers, switch to glass or stainless steel.

9. Antibacterial Soap

Regular hand washing is important in the prevention of illnesses and infections, but washing your hands with antibacterial soap may have the exact opposite effect. The main ingredient in antibacterial soap is triclosan. Although widely used in hospitals, regular use of it in antibacterial soap can increase bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. So instead of using antibacterial soap, wash your hands with warm water and regular soap to prevent the spread of germs.

According to Daily Toxin Intake, on any given day, we are potentially exposed to over a million toxins:

• Toxins from Air: 200,000
• Toxins from Water: 150,000
• Toxins from Food: 325,000
• Toxins from Beverages: 160,000
• Toxins from Prescription Drugs: 180,000
• Toxins from Microbes (Parasites): 525,000
• Toxins from Physical & Emotional Stress: 200,000
• Toxins from Heavy Metals: 130,000
• Toxins from Radiation (Causes Cell Damage & Death): 230,000

The least you can do is avoid these 9.