The Chemicals That Stick Around in the Body

Most Americans do carry traces of dozens—possibly hundreds—of potentially toxic chemicals in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which tests blood and urine samples in thousands of citizens as part of its continuing public-health surveys.

But just because a chemical is present doesn't mean it will cause health problems, the CDC says. In many cases, scientists don't know what level of exposure might pose harm or to what extent people's individual genes, age, weight and other factors vary the risk.

Many of the chemicals people are exposed to in food, air and water exit the body via waste or sweat within hours, experts say. Some of the most hazardous don't—and can't be removed with a detox diet, soaking in ionized water or purging the colon frequently.

"There is very little hard scientific data to support that these cleansing tools eliminate significant levels of these chemicals," says Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies, the federal agency that investigates environmental effects on health.

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