FAQ
Everyday Toxic Chemicals
Toxic chemicals can be man-made or naturally occurring, and they affect the human body in unhealthy ways. Many of these chemicals affect the endocrine system. You can read more about toxic chemicals and how they might affect your health in our blog posts.
The endocrine system includes all the hormones in your body. Hormones are chemical
signals. They move from one part of your body to another to allow different organs to
communicate with each other and signal changes. For example, hormones from the pituitary gland travel to the ovaries to signal ovulation, and estrogen travels from the ovaries to signal changes in the brain. The endocrine system controls every system in your body, including reproduction, behavior, moods, digestion, metabolism, and growth. Thus, toxic chemicals that disrupt the endocrine system can cause problems/diseases in every area of your body.
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical that is used in hard plastic, dental fillings and sealants, food packaging, and paper receipts. Because it has so many uses, it is found in the body of almost everyone. BPA (and other bisphenols such as BPF and BPF) have been linked to infertility, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, problems with brain development in children, and more. You can learn more about BPA and how it can affect your health in our blog posts.
Phthalates are chemicals that are found in soft plastics (like shower curtains, medical tubing, and bath toys). They are also found in scented products and are a common additive to the ingredient “fragrance” in cosmetics or air fresheners. There are many types of phthalates, and they have been linked to many health effects, including feminizing male babies, birth defects, and infertility in men and women. You can learn more about phthalates and how they can affect your health in our blog posts.
Parabens are artificial, hormone endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are used in products to prevent the growth of bacteria and lengthen their shelf life. They are found in products such as cosmetics, beverages, baked goods, and packaging. Parabens’ side effects may cause abnormal thyroid hormone levels and disrupt regular thyroid functioning. Abnormal hormone levels caused by exposure to parabens such as methylparaben have been linked to infertility, and reproductive organ dysfunction, and an increase in the risk of cancer. You can learn more about parabens and how they can affect your health in our blog posts.
Oxybenzone is a frequently used UV filter and/or preservative used in sunscreens and other personal care products, as well as plastic packaging. Oxybenzone is an endocrine-disruptor and is associated with altered birth weight in human studies.
The exposome is all our exposures throughout our lifetime. These can include toxic chemicals, UV light from the sun, air pollution, nutrition, etc. These exposures have more of an impact on our health and disease risk than our genetics do.
The exposome, which includes toxic chemical exposures, are responsible for as much as 70% of chronic disease risk. Even people who eat right and exercise regularly might be at risk of health problems caused by toxic chemical exposures. There are shockingly few tools available that let you understand which toxic chemicals your body has been exposed to and what you can do about it.
We created Million Marker to solve these problems. Our mission is to help people und erstand what’s in their bodies that shouldn’t be and to provide clear solutions to help people minimize their exposures.
Learn more about the risks of specific chemicals by referring to our chemical glossary.
You can be exposed to toxic chemicals through eating, breathing, drinking, or absorption through the skin. There are thousands of chemicals in everyday foods and products, and many of them are toxic.
Toxic chemicals can have a range of effects on the body. BPA, BPS, parabens, and phthalates are common toxic chemicals that can be found in everyday life. These chemicals, among others, are linked to many health problems, such as:
● Type 2 diabetes
● Fertility issues in both women and men
● Miscarriage
● Abnormal child development
● Irregular periods
● Endometriosis
● PCOS
● Obesity
● Cancer
Toxic chemicals can be found in the items used in daily life. Thus, everyone is at risk, particularly for those who are going through hormone fluctuations (pregnancy, child development, puberty, and menopause). The use of certain products and certain activities can heighten toxic exposures. Our Detect and Detox Kit is the only direct-to-consumer test available to determine your specific exposure to BPA, BPS, parabens, phthalates, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Check out our 5 Tips to Start Your Detox Journey. In general, it is best to avoid paper receipts, plastics, and food that is packaged in plastic or is canned. In addition, one should avoid personal care products that have “fragrance” on the ingredient list. Once you take our test, we will recommend additional ways to reduce your toxic exposures that are specific to you.
Products labeled BPA-free may not be safe. These labels are not regulated, and it’s up to the manufacturers to add them. Some of these products actually still contain BPA due to contamination or false marketing. Others may contain chemicals very similar to BPA, such as BPS and BPF. These alternatives to BPA have the same harmful effects. Avoiding plastic products is a good way to avoid BPA.
Click here for a list of Million Marker Approved Products that are free from toxic chemicals.
Vitamins and supplements can be contaminated with toxic chemicals and/or contain phthalates in their coatings. If you are worried about your supplements, it is best to contact the manufacturer and get tested to determine your exposure.
Not necessarily! Many naturally occurring chemicals, like arsenic, are toxic or harmful to humans. We recommend you visit our blog and chemical glossary to learn more about which chemicals are safe.
We recommend you search whether the chemical you’re looking to learn more about has information listed on our chemical glossary. You can also contact us for specific questions about chemicals.
The Test
We sincerely believe that everyone eligible should get tested to reduce their toxic exposures. These toxic chemicals are linked to hormone-related disorders and many chronic diseases. If you are concerned about infertility in men and women, reproductive diseases, reproductive problems (such as irregular menstruation), type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or general health and wellness, you should consider testing.
Unborn babies and newborns are especially sensitive to toxic chemical exposures. These exposures have been linked to birth abnormalities and brain development. You should especially consider getting tested if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
We'll tell you how your toxic exposure levels compare to others. We’ll also provide personalized recommendations on how to reduce your exposure. These recommendations will be based on the personal care products and lifestyle habits you report during your Million Marker assessment. Getting tested is the first step to learning what’s inside your body and taking action to improve your health, fertility, and longevity.
All the samples are currently being analyzed at a reputable third party laboratory with state-of-the-art facilities, with detection sensitivities comparable to other biomonitoring efforts. This lab ensures that testing meets our high standards for accuracy. Instruments are frequently checked to make sure that the results are consistent.
You must be 18 years of age or older to get tested.
Our test is for any adult who would like to optimize their health and/or improve their fertility by finding out whether they are being exposed to toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be found in the items we use in our daily lives, and sometimes have ‘hidden’ sources or from places/products you would not expect. You might just be surprised by the results! When it comes to toxic chemicals, it is ideal to know and eliminate your exposures now so that you can avoid problems in the future.
Our test is not suitable for people under 18. However, because people in the same household tend to be exposed to similar chemicals, getting tested can give you an idea of your children’s exposure. Also, those who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to conceive can benefit from our test. Additionally, you can see our recommendations on what products we suggest for children and babies by visiting our Approved Products list.
The test is available nationwide, except Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.
Ordering and Shipping
Our Detect & Detox Kit is priced at $299. The Detect & Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling is priced at $499. Please click here to view our full range of products and services.
Our tests are currently available only in the United States. Our test is available for purchase online throughout the United States except in New York, Rhode Island, Maryland, and New Jersey.
The Million Marker test is not currently covered by insurance. However, our service can be reimbursed by your HSA or FSA. Please check with your insurance reimbursement department or representative for detailed procedures.
Once an order has been fulfilled, order details cannot be updated. If you need to have your order shipped to an alternate address or canceled before the order is fulfilled, please contact us, and we can assist you. Please include your order number and the email used to place your order when you contact us.
3-5 business days.
Our personalized report provides you with all the information you need to interpret your results. If you purchase our Detect and Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling, you will have the opportunity for a 1-on-1 meeting with a Million Marker expert to go over your results. You also may find it helpful to share your report with your healthcare provider for further interpretation. Additionally, if you have questions on your results you can contact us.
Million Marker does not provide resources to connect you with a practitioner. Please show your test results to a healthcare practitioner of your choice if you would like further interpretation. If you would like highly personalized and tailored feedback about your report, with 1-on-1 detox counseling with a Million Marker expert, you can purchase our Detect & Detox + Lifestyle Counseling service. We are currently working with several health coaches and functional medicine experts to develop a referral program. Please contact us if you would like to be involved.
Your Million Marker Chemical Exposure Report is included in the price, and should answer most questions you will have about your results. If you have additional questions pertaining to your report, feel free to contact us, free of charge. For an in-depth audit of your daily exposures, including 1-on-1 counseling and highly tailored, actionable feedback, we recommend purchasing our Detect & Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling.
After ordering, you will receive an email with additional instructions about how to collect and return your sample. If you have purchased our Detect & Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling service, you will receive instructions about how to set up your 1-on-1 lifestyle assessment and counseling sessions where we will fill out your Exposure Journal in the 24 hours before collecting your sample, as well as review your Million Marker Chemical Exposure Report after your report is delivered.
Sample Collection
Your body breaks down toxic chemicals to help get rid of them. This process is called “metabolism.” These broken down products, known as metabolites or “markers,” appear in the urine. We use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to test for chemical markers in urine. Urine samples are a safe and easy way to learn about the types and amounts of chemicals you’ve been exposed to.
Once you order a test, Million Marker sends you a sealed, sterile collection cup and other collection and return materials. On the day of collection, simply pee in the cup when you first wake up in the morning and close it tightly. Then, follow our mail-in instructions to return your kit. Detailed instructions are included with the kit and can also be found here.
Fill up the urine cup to about the 40 milliliter mark (two thirds of the cup full), which is indicated on the side of the cup.
After you receive your results, we will suggest some lifestyle changes to help you reduce exposures. If you have purchased our Detect & Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling service, you will receive highly tailored, personalized feedback. We recommend that you test again so you can see if you’ve successfully reduced your exposure to toxic chemicals or if you’ve successfully been maintaining your exposure at low or medium levels.
No. We account for your hydration status during our analysis. But please stay hydrated for your health!
No, you do not need to fast.
Ideally, you should mail your package the same day you collect it, or as soon as possible. Store your sample in a cool place before sending it in. Refrigeration is okay but not required. Please DO NOT freeze your sample.
You should mail your sample Monday through Thursday, so try to collect your sample between Sunday through Wednesday. This is to ensure that your sample will get to the lab in a timely manner
If you need to delay your return shipping, store your sample in a cool place. You can put the entire return envelope in the refrigerator, but this is not necessary. Please DO NOT freeze your sample.
In order for us to personalize recommendations for you and understand the results of your test, we ask that you document the food and drink you consumed and the products you used throughout your day (during the 24 hours prior to collecting your sample). This can be done easily through our secure portal website. Instructions will be provided with your Test Kit.
Sample Analysis
We test for 13 toxic chemicals
- three bisphenols (BPA, BPF, BPS)
- four parabens (methyl-, ethyl-, butyl- and propylparaben)
- five phthalates (monoethyl-, mono-n-butyl-, mono-2-ethylhexyl-, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)-, and mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl)-phthalate)
- oxybenzone
Information about these chemicals can be found here, our blog posts and fact sheets, and our Chemical Glossary.
Yes! We will continue to work on adding chemical tests for other common toxic chemicals, including pesticides and air pollutants. We also plan to add other biomarkers that will help determine nutrition status, stress, sleep health, etc. We are always working on ways to help you improve your health and the health of your family.
All materials, storage temperatures, and methods have been verified to give accurate results. We perform rigorous quality control and quality assurance on our testing processes. Occasionally, when testing does not pass quality control, we will retest the samples to ensure the highest accuracy possible.
Bisphenols (3) - BPA, BPS, and BPF. Bisphenols are present in plastics and everyday products and can impact fertility, metabolism, heart health, and more.
Phthalates (5) - MBP, MEP, MEHP, MEHHP, and MECPP. Phthalates are present in plastics, personal care products, and everyday products and can impact fertility, metabolism, child development, and more.
Parabens (4) - MPB, EPB, PPB, and BUP. Parabens are present in personal care products as preservatives and antimicrobials. They can disrupt hormones and impact fertility and other body systems. BUP is considered the most toxic of the parabens.
Oxybenzone - Oxybenzone is used in sunscreen as a UV blocker and in products to protect against sun damage. It is a hormone disruptor and can impact fertility and other body systems.
The Report
4-8 weeks
Our test is the first of its kind, which means the panel itself is still very expensive to run in the laboratory. To make this test more affordable for consumers, the lab must process 20-40 samples at a time, which is why results may take 4-8 weeks. As we grow through more test purchases, we can run the tests more often, which will bring down the cost and wait time. We are actively working towards a more affordable test and quicker turnarounds.
A sample reports with product audit is available here. A sample report for a test only is available here.
For your Million Marker Chemical Exposure Report, we provide your levels of chemical exposures and display data on how you compare to others. We also provide recommendations for how to reduce exposures. For the Detect & Detox Kit + Lifestyle Counseling , we indicate aspects of your diet, product use, and lifestyle that may be contributing to toxic chemical exposures. With this service, we are able to pinpoint more accurately where these exposures are coming from. With this information, we provide highly tailored, personalized suggestions of how you can reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals in 1-on-1 counseling sessions (with product swaps, diet and lifestyle changes, etc).
Don’t panic! BPA, phthalates, and other everyday toxic chemicals are found in more than 90% of the US population. The good news is that if you follow our recommendations and eliminate the sources of exposure, you can dramatically decrease your exposure levels. These chemicals have no business being in your body, and we are here to help you reduce exposure levels with your personalized report. If you are still concerned, we recommend sharing all of your test results with a trusted physician. Million Marker’s services are intended to be used for general wellness purposes only. The tests are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease.
Our report includes most of the information you need to understand your results. These come with descriptions as well as suggestions for where and how to make changes. Feel free to contact us with any questions about your results.
The averages are based on the amounts of these chemicals found in the general population. We compare each user with our existing users and the national average derived from NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), which is a part of the CDC Biomonitoring Program
Our team carefully analyzes the products you use and your activities to determine if they contain harmful exposures. These include all the chemicals we test, as well as hundreds of other problematic chemicals. We have dedicated specialists who are well versed on what products you should swap out for safer alternatives. Additionally, we compare your harmful chemical levels with your current product routine to determine any patterns and trends or to identify “hidden” exposures. We have gone through a stringent process for our recommended products and provide personalized recommendations, depending on your results. You can see more about what products we suggest by visiting our Approved Products.
By understanding how your current consumption usage and patterns impact your toxic chemical exposure, we can help you develop a personalized guide to reduce your exposure. It is essential that you know where your toxic exposures stand on our test result scale so you can have a more effective and individualized follow-up plan. Many times exposures can be “hidden”- they are not on labels, and sometimes the result of product contamination. Using your Detect & Detox Kit results with your Lifestyle Assessment, we can pinpoint the exact sources of exposures.
Looking at percentiles is a way of dividing up the population into low (0-25th percentile), medium (25-75th percentile), high (75th-95th percentile), and very high (equal or above 95th percentile) exposures. For example, if you are in the 25th percentile of exposure, you have lower exposures than 75% of the population. If you are in the 50% percentile, about half of the population is below you, and half above. We compare your exposures to the general public, as well as to other Million Marker users.
The Company
Feel free to send us a message. We look forward to hearing from you.
Learn more about how Million Marker came to be by listening to our origin story (Episode 2) on our podcast Toxic Tangents and this Medium article You can also meet the team here.
Check out our blog
and join our mailing
list for tons of information about the health effects of toxic chemical exposures. Also tune into our YouTube channel
and our podcast, Toxic Tangents, where we discuss a wide variety of topics related to toxic exposures and health.
Privacy and Security
We will not share your results with anyone.
Yes, you can share your results with your physician.
If the entire sample is not used, it is kept for two weeks after testing is complete in the case that re-testing is needed. After this period, we discard the sample unless you have consented to allow us to use your sample for future research and product development. During this process, your sample will be deidentified. However, if we have new results that may benefit your health, we can reidentify and contact you to keep you informed. If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
Yes. You will receive email updates throughout the analysis and report generation process.
To purchase the kit, we will need your name and shipping address. If you purchased the lifestyle counseling service, we will collect information about your lifestyle exposures that include dietary consumption, product used, and daily activities. You have the option to provide more information (i.e. BMI, race/ethnicity) for more tailored feedback.
We take data privacy and stewardship seriously. We will only keep this information if you consent to let us keep it. Otherwise your identifiable information will be discarded upon completion of sample processing and report delivery. Your personal data will be kept in a secure database which is HIPPA-compliant. If you have any questions about this, please contact us.
Based on the biobanking consent, we retain consented data and samples indefinitely for future research and product development. However, you can request to withdraw your data or sample at any time by emailing founders@millionmarker.com, and we will ensure its proper disposal promptly.
While data can be reidentified under specific circumstances, Million Marker employs stringent protocols and safeguards to ensure anonymity and minimize the risk of data mishandling. These include robust encryption methods, access controls, and compliance with data protection regulations to safeguard customer privacy and confidentiality.
Million Marker uses your data for pioneering research in environmental health, a field that is behind on long-term data analyses. With up to 70% of chronic diseases being caused by environmental exposures, we aim to create better information on specific chemicals by identifying the products that contain them and their impact on the body.
Your data is NOT used for AI training, or for any other purposes that would allow your provided information to be shared in any way with other users.
Approved Products
We go through a rigorous process to ensure that each product is up to Million Marker standards. Products have been cross-checked with health and environment databases such as the EWG’s Skin Deep, Environment Canada Domestic Substance List, MadeSafe, and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ web list. Additionally, we also contact manufacturers to learn about their manufacturing process for potential contamination and materials used packaging. We also assess manufacturers’ environmental impact and sustainability. Learn more about how a product gets the Million Marker stamp of approval. If you want your products to be approved by Million Marker and added to our list, please contact us.
We approve a wide range of products including personal care and kitchen/household products. Our list conveniently sorts products by topic.
We adhere to stringent guidelines in order to make sure that the products we approve are safe for you and your family. Due to this, we cannot guarantee that other products in the same brand will pass our approval process. Contact us to see if your favorite products pass our approval criteria.
We update our list according to the newest research. Expect to see updated information on our list as new research is published!
The comprehensive list
of chemicals is available here.