Quick answer: This questionnaire helps you identify where everyday exposures may be coming from: your home and neighborhood, food and packaging, hormone-disrupting chemicals in products, and heavy metals. Score one point for each “yes,” add up each section, and use your results to choose a few practical changes. It’s a rough guide, not a diagnosis.
How to use it
Answer each question as best you can. Count one point for each “yes.” Then use tips to clean up your environment to act on what you find.
Section 1: General environment
- Live in a city or near a major road?
- Use conventional cleaning or personal care products?
- Live in a home built before 1978 (possible lead paint)?
- Live near farms, golf courses, landfills, incinerators or industry?
- Use pesticides at home?
- Exposure to tobacco smoke, solvents, mold, asbestos, flame retardants or VOCs from paint and carpets?
- Use air fresheners or scented candles?
- Chlorinated, unfiltered drinking water?
Section 2: Food-based
- Regularly eat conventional produce or conventionally raised meat?
- Eat high-mercury fish or canned foods?
- Eat processed, packaged, fried or fast foods often?
- Use non-stick cookware or plastic food storage?
- Drink unfiltered water, alcohol or sugary drinks?
- Use artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors?
Section 3: Hormone-disrupting chemicals
- Use fragranced personal care products?
- Store or reheat food in plastic; use plastic water bottles?
- Use vinyl products such as shower curtains?
- Use antibacterial soaps?
- History of hormone-related conditions?
Section 4: Heavy metals
- Work in an industry with metal exposure?
- Eat fish or shellfish often?
- Have amalgam fillings?
- Drink well or tap water that hasn’t been tested?
- Home built before 1978?
- Hobbies with lead (stained glass, ammunition)?
- Smoke?
- Broken mercury thermometers or fluorescent bulbs?
Your score
Add the four sections for a total. A higher score suggests more opportunities to reduce exposure. It is not a diagnosis. If you suspect a specific exposure such as lead, ask your provider about testing. See heavy metals.
Healthy aging lens
Identifying and reducing long-term exposures is one of the most practical ways to lower oxidative stress over a lifetime.
When to see a naturopathic doctor
- Ongoing fatigue, headaches, skin or digestive symptoms
- Known exposure to lead, mercury, mold or workplace chemicals
- You take medications or have liver, kidney or heart conditions and want to try a detox plan
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding (detox protocols are not recommended)
See a medical provider promptly for signs of poisoning such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, confusion, seizures or trouble breathing, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Want a safe, personalized plan to lower your toxic load?
A free 15-minute consultation with Dr. Kneessi. No cost, no obligation. In-office in Odenton, MD or by telehealth.
Frequently asked questions
What is an environmental exposure questionnaire?
A list of questions that helps identify possible sources of toxins.
What does my score mean?
A rough guide to how many exposures you might reduce; not a diagnosis.
Should I get tested?
If you suspect a specific exposure, like lead, ask your provider.
What should I change first?
Start with easy swaps like a water filter and glass containers.
Sources
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an individual evaluation. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting supplements or changing medications, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition.
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