Shanda Hynes lives in Suffolk with her husband and two sons.  She believes there are common pollutions in the home that can easily be eliminated.

"Maybe if you eliminate a few things, that will make you that much healthier, " Hynes says.

That attitude is what scientists at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) believe should be adopted by everyone. The Washington D.C. based group works to expose threats to health and the environment, and searches for solutions.

The group has come up with a list of common pollutions in just about any home.

Substance #1, Bisphenol A

One of the most common pollutants in the home is the chemical Bisphenol A or BPA.  

Dr. Anila Jacob, a scientist with EWG, says BPA, which is found in plastic, is toxic and linked to numerous health problems.

"This is a potent chemical that's associated with cancer, infertility, obesity and behaviorial effects in animal studies,” said Jacob.

Video: Everyday items in your home may be harmful

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While Hynes is not aware of all problem BPA might potentially cause, she avoids it.

"After our son was born, all these things came out about the lining of the formula cans and the baby bottles. It has this toxic chemical," says Hynes.

BPA is commonly found in baby bottles, water bottles and on the linings inside canned foods.

Although the FDA has ruled BPA safe, lawmakers on Capitol Hill recently introduced legislation to ban it. Many manufacturers have already started pulling BPA out of their products.

Jacob believes the government needs to step up.

"The law that regulates these chemicals is not very tight and allows toxic chemicals to be on the market," says Jacob

Substance #2, Non-stick pans

Another common home pollutant, according to EWG, is one many people have probably heard of, but it continues to be a hot seller on the market: non-stick pots and pans.

‘'When non-stick cookware such as traditional Teflon is heated, it can let off toxic fumes that have been known to kill pets, especially pet birds, but they can be toxic to humans as well," explains Jacob.

Jacob adds that that the same chemicals used to make non-stick cookware are also used to create stain-resistant clothing.

Still, Dupont, the maker of Teflon, defends its product. The company claims their Teflon coatings do not emit hazardous chemicals through normal use. 

That's not enough for Hynes. She recently packed up all of her Teflon pans and bought stainless steel.

Jacob recommends using stainless steel or cast iron pans. She also recommends parents not buy stain-free clothing for their children.

Substance #3, flame retardants 

The danger here is not in your clothes but in common products from mattresses to furniture to even electronics. 

Jacob says the flame retardant in these products can emit a chemical called PBDE. They can get into the air in your home and dust.

She recommends finding products that do not have flame retardants, most of which are made after 2005.

Substance #4, Mold

Mold is another common pollution in the home and causes lots of health problems.  In Hynes' last home, she could not understand why her cold would not go away.  Her whole family was sick.

"We all suffered for months with colds. They kept coming and going. Mine would not go away,” lamented Hynes.

But as it turned out, she had a mold problem. Her roof was leaking and water was seeping inside her walls. That's why she hired Dietrich Heyder with Air Quality Consultants in Virginia Beach. 

Hynes wanted Heyder to do some testing to make sure she doesn’t have problems in her new home.  He tested the air in several rooms in the Hynes household.  He compares the household air with a baseline he collected outside. If mold spores are found in an adhesive vial connected to an air pump, it means there's a problem.  But it can be fixed.   

According the  EPA , the key to mold control is moisture control. It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture.

Substance #5, Various Chemicals in Tap Water

Our fifth pollution could be coming out of your faucet.

According to studies by EWG, tap water in 42 states is contaminated with more than 140 unregulated chemicals that lack safety standards.

Water testing is another area in which Heyder spends a lot of time, checking to see if a homeowner's water is contaminated is a quick process.

"I check for nitrates," says Heyder.

If nothing is found, it give Hynes peace of mind. "We can't live in a bubble. I'm just trying to weed out a few things here and there. It makes me feel better."