We live in a sea of chemicals, says the Environmental Working Group, and many of them contribute to cancer. One in 10 Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lives, and two in 10 will die of the disease.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a non-profit organization whose aim is to inform the public in order to protect public health and the environment, conducts its own research, and has found children are born with evidence of up to 200 industrial chemicals in their systems.

The EWG, which issues an annual "Dirty Dozen" list of the most contaminated fruits and vegetables, has also issued a list of the 12 chemicals known to be associated with cancer. They are:

1. Bisphenol A (BPA). Used to make plastics used in food and beverage containers, BPAs are proven endocrine disruptors and can increase the risk for breast and prostate cancer. "BPA actually disturbs the hormone production in our bodies," Dr. Erika Schwartz, a leading expert on hormones tells Newsmax Health.

Avoid by choosing fresh foods and those in glass containers instead of those in cans. Buy plastic containers with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, No. 4 , and No. 5 on the bottom. Avoid those with No. 3, No. 7, or PC (polycarbonate). Cloudy or soft containers don't contain BPA.

2. Atrizine. A common weed killer applied to commercial crops, atrizine seeps into drinking water. Atrizine, which is also a hormone disrupter, has been linked to an increased risk of prostate and breast cancer as well as reproductive problems.

Avoid by buying organic food, particularly corn, and using water filters certified to remove atrazine. (Find filters by using the EWG's buying guide.)

3. Organophosphate pesticides. These insecticides target the nervous systems of unwanted insects, and are commonly used on apples, green beans, pears, and peaches.

Among the most toxic pesticides, research shows they cause impaired memory and mental development in children, and mental and emotional problems in adolescents. Several studies have linked organophosphate pesticides to leukemia and lymphoma.

Use the EWG's "Dirty Dozen" list  to avoid the most toxic produce. 

4. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP). This chemical, which is also an endocrine disrupter, was removed from nail polish in 2006, but it's still used in the manufacture of soft, flexible plastics. Men exposed to DPB have a significantly higher risk of testicular cancer.

Reduce risk by limiting the use of PVC plastics and avoid storing food in soft plastic containers. Also avoid personal care products with the word "phthalate" on the label.

5. Lead. Lead has been shown to harm almost every organ in the body. The most common means of exposure today is still lead paints, although they've been banned for decades, and in drinking water contaminated by lead in corroding fixtures.

Avoid lead by taking care when removing old paint, and by filtering drinking water.

6. Mercury. "Mercury is one of the most poisonous substances known to mankind," says holistic doctor David Brownstein. "It is a potent neurotoxin and is associated with numerous neurological and immune system problems," he tells Newsmax Health.

Mercury has been shown to cause tumors in animals. One of the biggest sources of mercury in most people is "silver" metal dental fillings, which are 50 percent mercury.

Studies have also found mercury in almost half of the samples of high-fructose corn syrup tested. Some seafood, including albacore tuna and swordfish, contain high levels of mercury.

Check out your favorite fish on EWG's Seafood Calculator to see if it's high in mercury.

7. PFCs Per- or polyfluorochemicals. PFCs are used to make non-stick cookware and also products that are resistant to water, grease, and stains, including carpets and furniture.

The American Cancer Society says animal studies have identified four types of tumors in rodents exposed to the chemicals, and workers who are exposed to them have higher risks of bladder and kidney cancer.

Limit exposure by avoiding non-stick cookware and fabrics that are resistant to water and stains. Skip microwavable popcorn bags, and choose personal care products without ingredients labeled "PTFE" or "fluoro."

8. Phthalates. Phthalates are industrial chemicals commonly used to soften plastic products, but they're also used in synthetic fragrances. They've been linked to reduced testosterone and sperm quality in men, and early puberty in girls as well as reproductive abnormalities in baby boys.

Phthalates have been implicated in premenopausal breast cancer. Women working in the automotive and canning industries — both of which use phthalates in manufacturing — have a fivefold increase in breast cancer. A Taiwanese study found that exposure to phthalates correlated with premature breast development in girls.

Since they don't have to be disclosed as an ingredient, avoid them by buying unscented personal care, cleaning products, and air fresheners. They're also used in plastics, so avoid microwaving in plastic containers, and look for products labeled "phthalate free."

9. Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP). This common type of phthalate is also an endocrine disrupter that's used in many household and personal care products, and medical devices.

DEHP has been associated with changes in thyroid hormone levels in adult men. Some research indicates chemicals leached from medical devices may cause resistance to drugs in some cancers. Avoid the chemical by following the advice given for phthalates.

10. PBDEs. These chemicals are fire retardants used in the manufacture of polyurethane foam products manufactured before 2005. They were used in carpet padding, upholstered furniture, pillows, and electronics.

PBDEs are known to interfere with fertility, and research indicates that their hormone-disrupting ability increases the risk of breast cancer.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that for each 10-fold increase in the concentration of PBDEs in a woman's blood, her odds of conceiving decreased by 30 percent. For women actively attempting to become pregnant, the odds of conceiving dropped by 50 percent in any given month.

Of the three types of PBDEs used commercially, two were banned in 2005 and the third was phased out in 2013. To avoid, buy products manufactured after 2014. If you feel there are items in your home that contain PBDE, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

11. Triclosan. Triclosans are used in hand sanitizers to prevent the growth of bacteria, but they may do much more harm than good. The FDA says they're contributing to making bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and helping create superbugs such as MRSA.

In addition, a 2014 study by the American Chemical Society found that triclosans spurred the growth of breast cancer cells, and studies at the University of California at Davis found they can kill brain cells.

Avoid triclosans by skipping antibacterial soap and other antibacterial products, such as toothbrushes and cutting boards.

12. Nonylphenol. This ingredient is used in laundry and dish detergents, paints, personal care products, and plastics.

A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology found that nonylphenol (along with bisphenol A) has the potential to stimulate the migration of ovarian cancer cells causing metastasis, and nonylphenol is also suspected of influencing the development of hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Decrease exposure by buying products that are free of phenols.

It only makes sense, says the EWG, to reduce our exposure to the chemicals we know cause the most damage.