Dangerous Household Items You Should Quit Using Immediately
While you might take extra care to double clean items that you use regularly, there are certain chemicals that you simply cannot avoid. How come? Well, it’s because they’re ingrained in many of the everyday products that you never think twice about.
1. Store Receipts
Though it’s second nature to crumple up your receipt and toss it in your wallet or pocket, Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI, board-certified gastroenterologist, warns against touching this proof of purchase. Many receipts are printed on thermal paper, which means that they’re covered in a thin coating of powder that develops the dye needed for the type. He says that “this powder contains BPA, an endocrine-disrupting chemical which has been linked to breast cancer, diabetes, and hormone abnormalities in children.”
He goes on to say that many studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through the skin, making it important to limit your interaction with this chemical. “If you don’t need a receipt, ask the cashier not to print if it is possible. If you do need it, ask for it to be placed in the bag; don’t place the receipt in a bag with food items, particularly items that are consumed raw. Finally be sure you wash your hands well after handling receipts,” he advises.
2. Bug Sprays and Repellents
Though they might prevent bug bites, infectious disease specialist and clinical assistant professor Alexea M. Gaffney-Adams, MD, says that some of the ingredients found in bug sprays may raise an eyebrow, specifically, “organophosphates,” found in herbicides, nerve agents, chemical agents, and pesticides. They’re also known as plasticizers, which are about as scary as it sounds.
Gaffney-Adams explains that “these compounds are readily absorbed through the skin and inhaled. They poison insects – and humans – by disrupting neurotransmitters necessary for proper body functions. They can affect breathing and muscle function and can cause cardiovascular collapse and death in large amounts.” Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to lung and heart disease, delayed reflexes, and cancers.
3. Laundry Detergent
According to family physician and general practitioner Maskfika N. Alam, MD, you might be surprised to know that washing your clothes can actually be dangerous. In addition to being full of harsh chemicals, “many detergents contain phenol, which can be easily absorbed through your skin and can cause renal and hepatic dysfunction,” she says.
When you’re in doubt, go with an organic brand of laundry detergent, especially if you have eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
4. Fire Retardants
Meant to keep us safe, fire retardants have actually been linked to infertility, cancer, and other disorders, according to Dr. Bulsiewicz. “They are used in most infant clothing and can be found in foam cushions in sofas and chairs, as well as children’s car seats, nursing pillows, and other upholstered products,” he says.
To avoid coming into contact with fire retardants, make sure that you buy only natural fiber clothing, particularly for children and infants. Furthermore, if you’re looking to upgrade your living room, Bulsiewicz recommends only opting for newer furniture products that contain foam, as most furniture made in America after 2005 does not contain fire retardants.
5. Non-Stick Coated Cookware
If you need to whip up some miracle recipes, you should opt for non-stick coated cookware pans or casserole dishes. However, Adam S. Gropper, MD, explains that these non-stick coatings can melt when they’re overheated, revealing aluminum that’s super unhealthy when digested.
“Ingested aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and several cancers. If you see flaking or gauging in your coated cookware, it’s time to replace it,” he advises.
6. Deodorant/Antiperspirant
Though they are meant to keep you feeling fresh, Dr. Gropper says many formulas utilize aluminum to clot your pores and prevent excessive sweating. Since absorbing aluminum is linked to Alzheimer’s diseases and both prostate and breast cancers, Dr. Gropper recommends trying out natural deodorants instead.
7. Air Fresheners
They might get rid of the stench from the bathroom, but inhaling these chemicals isn’t safe for anyone in your family. The artificial fragrances that are added to air fresheners can irritate your eyes and cause inflammation. Dr. Alam says that “chronic inhalation of phthalates can cause asthma and can damage your lungs.”
8. Hand Sanitizers and Antibacterial Soap
You might think that these products are helping you stay healthy, but they can do more harm than good in the long run. The compound triclosan is found in more than 75% of hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, as well as in linens, underwear, gym equipment, and plastic products. “This is another endocrine buster resulting in reproductive toxicity through alterations in hormone regulation according to the FDA,” Dr. Gaffney-Adams explains.
Tricoslan has been linked to allergies, asthma, eczema, and thyroid disease. Furthermore, it’s also a suspected carcinogen, and when you overuse these products, you might build an antibiotic resistance to bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat.
9. Mothballs. Naphthalene, found in mothballs and products alike, can destroy red blood cells and has been proven to cause cancer in animals but has not yet been proven to cause cancer in humans.
10. Oven Cleaner. Many of these cleaners contain corrosive alkalis, which can have grave effects on your gastrointestinal track and respiratory system if inhaled or ingested.
12. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. The
corrosive ingredients that make acidic toilet bowl cleaners clean so
well are the same ingredients that can cause burns on skin and eyes.
They are also extremely dangerous when mixed with other types of
cleaners.
14. Cleaning Solutions.
As the biggest offenders on the list, and the most commonly used, it's
no secret household cleaners contains hazardous toxins. What's most
concerning is it's not required for cleaners to list their ingredients
on the bottle, leaving consumers in the dark. Even those claiming to be
"green" or "natural."
1. Store Receipts
Though it’s second nature to crumple up your receipt and toss it in your wallet or pocket, Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI, board-certified gastroenterologist, warns against touching this proof of purchase. Many receipts are printed on thermal paper, which means that they’re covered in a thin coating of powder that develops the dye needed for the type. He says that “this powder contains BPA, an endocrine-disrupting chemical which has been linked to breast cancer, diabetes, and hormone abnormalities in children.”
He goes on to say that many studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through the skin, making it important to limit your interaction with this chemical. “If you don’t need a receipt, ask the cashier not to print if it is possible. If you do need it, ask for it to be placed in the bag; don’t place the receipt in a bag with food items, particularly items that are consumed raw. Finally be sure you wash your hands well after handling receipts,” he advises.
2. Bug Sprays and Repellents
Though they might prevent bug bites, infectious disease specialist and clinical assistant professor Alexea M. Gaffney-Adams, MD, says that some of the ingredients found in bug sprays may raise an eyebrow, specifically, “organophosphates,” found in herbicides, nerve agents, chemical agents, and pesticides. They’re also known as plasticizers, which are about as scary as it sounds.
Gaffney-Adams explains that “these compounds are readily absorbed through the skin and inhaled. They poison insects – and humans – by disrupting neurotransmitters necessary for proper body functions. They can affect breathing and muscle function and can cause cardiovascular collapse and death in large amounts.” Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to lung and heart disease, delayed reflexes, and cancers.
3. Laundry Detergent
According to family physician and general practitioner Maskfika N. Alam, MD, you might be surprised to know that washing your clothes can actually be dangerous. In addition to being full of harsh chemicals, “many detergents contain phenol, which can be easily absorbed through your skin and can cause renal and hepatic dysfunction,” she says.
When you’re in doubt, go with an organic brand of laundry detergent, especially if you have eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
4. Fire Retardants
Meant to keep us safe, fire retardants have actually been linked to infertility, cancer, and other disorders, according to Dr. Bulsiewicz. “They are used in most infant clothing and can be found in foam cushions in sofas and chairs, as well as children’s car seats, nursing pillows, and other upholstered products,” he says.
To avoid coming into contact with fire retardants, make sure that you buy only natural fiber clothing, particularly for children and infants. Furthermore, if you’re looking to upgrade your living room, Bulsiewicz recommends only opting for newer furniture products that contain foam, as most furniture made in America after 2005 does not contain fire retardants.
5. Non-Stick Coated Cookware
If you need to whip up some miracle recipes, you should opt for non-stick coated cookware pans or casserole dishes. However, Adam S. Gropper, MD, explains that these non-stick coatings can melt when they’re overheated, revealing aluminum that’s super unhealthy when digested.
“Ingested aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and several cancers. If you see flaking or gauging in your coated cookware, it’s time to replace it,” he advises.
6. Deodorant/Antiperspirant
Though they are meant to keep you feeling fresh, Dr. Gropper says many formulas utilize aluminum to clot your pores and prevent excessive sweating. Since absorbing aluminum is linked to Alzheimer’s diseases and both prostate and breast cancers, Dr. Gropper recommends trying out natural deodorants instead.
7. Air Fresheners
They might get rid of the stench from the bathroom, but inhaling these chemicals isn’t safe for anyone in your family. The artificial fragrances that are added to air fresheners can irritate your eyes and cause inflammation. Dr. Alam says that “chronic inhalation of phthalates can cause asthma and can damage your lungs.”
8. Hand Sanitizers and Antibacterial Soap
You might think that these products are helping you stay healthy, but they can do more harm than good in the long run. The compound triclosan is found in more than 75% of hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, as well as in linens, underwear, gym equipment, and plastic products. “This is another endocrine buster resulting in reproductive toxicity through alterations in hormone regulation according to the FDA,” Dr. Gaffney-Adams explains.
Tricoslan has been linked to allergies, asthma, eczema, and thyroid disease. Furthermore, it’s also a suspected carcinogen, and when you overuse these products, you might build an antibiotic resistance to bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat.
9. Mothballs. Naphthalene, found in mothballs and products alike, can destroy red blood cells and has been proven to cause cancer in animals but has not yet been proven to cause cancer in humans.
10. Oven Cleaner. Many of these cleaners contain corrosive alkalis, which can have grave effects on your gastrointestinal track and respiratory system if inhaled or ingested.
11. Furniture Polish and Stain.
Non-vegetable, oil-based stains and polishes are not only extremely
flammable but contain the chemicals phenol and nitrobenzene, which can
be absorbed by your skin and can cause skin cancer.
13. Gas Space Heaters. Gas powered anything releases toxins and using them indoors is extremely dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning —a condition that presents very little warning symptoms.
15. Extension Cords. While
an extension cord itself isn't dangerous. The way they are commonly
used is. Many people don't realize there is a voltage capacity, and plug
in as much as they can—creating a huge fire hazard. This, coupled with
using warn out cords and running them under furniture and carpets, is
why extension cords are a leading cause of fire in the US.
12. Flaking Paint.
Homes built as recently as the late 70s can have interiors covered in
lead-based paints—hazardous when the paint starts to flake AND when it's
time to repaint. Inhaling these particles can lead to lead poisoning.