Being in your own home should feel safe, but there can be dangers to your health that you may not even be aware of.
A wide variety of consumer products and materials, both solid and liquid, are classified as cancer-causing because of their chemical ingredients emitted as gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Examples of these chemicals are acetone, benzene, butanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, and toluene.
Your home is an enclosed space, so these VOCs are ten times more toxic than when you are outdoors. Those who are more likely to be affected are children and the elderly, and those who have chronic illnesses and respiratory problems. Their adverse effects on your health can be short-term or long-term. Conditions include headache, nausea, lack of coordination, skin allergy, eyes, throat and nose irritability, asthma attack, liver and kidney damage, and cancer.
You may not be aware of toxins in some products because they are odorless.
Common Household Products with Cancer-Causing Ingredients
To help you be more aware, here are some things in your home that may cause health issues due to the toxins they may include:
Foods
Besides pesticide-affected fruits and vegetables, avoid foods that are smoked, salt-preserved, cured meat or fish, and pickled foods. In excess, they could increase your risk of having stomach cancer. Also, avoid processed foods packaged in plastics especially if their expiry is longer, because of the preservatives as well as the chemicals in the plastic wrap.
Water
Some drinking water is polluted by nitrates. Excess nitrate is dangerous to your health, especially for pregnant women and their babies. Be sure you have safe drinking water at home.
Plastics
Plastic products such as water bottles, baby bottles, food containers, spatulas, toys, aluminum can linings, and dental sealants can contain a chemical by-product called Bisphenol A or BPA. BPA may leak when these plastic products are heated, scratched, or damaged and this is dangerous because it may contribute to cancer and other serious illnesses such as heart disease when accumulated in your body.
Plasticizers like the chemical phthalates used in toys, detergents, hair sprays, nail polish, perfumes, shampoos, shower curtains, and vinyl floors, are also toxic. They can cause breast cancer and other serious health issues in both men and women.
Household Cleaning Products
Some cleaning products have dangerous VOCs and other harmful ingredients such as ammonia, bleach, phosphates sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and pesticides.
Some of these products are antibacterial cleaners, chlorine bleach, detergents, dishwashing liquids, furniture and floor polish, toilet bowl and drain cleaners, multipurpose cleaners, and even some soaps. Mixing two different products such as bleach and ammonia can be potentially fatal since it will create poisonous gases, so beware.
Air Fresheners
If you use liquid or solid air freshener in different parts of your house, be aware of the toxic chemicals that may be in them masquerading as a perfume, as labeled by the manufacturer. They can contain VOCs like formaldehyde and other carcinogens that are irritating to your eyes, nose, and throat and may cause brain damage, cancer, and even death if eaten, either by people or their pets.
Fabric Conditioner and Dry-Cleaning Chemicals
If you want to be safe, check the ingredients in popular liquid fabric conditioners and dry-cleaning products. They can use cancer-causing chemicals such as benzyl acetate, limonene, and chloroform. These products can be harmful because they stay longer in your clothes and linens and will be inhaled and absorbed by your skin. Dry-cleaning chemicals are discharged in the air when they heat up in the dryer, endangering your lungs.
Carpets
Most carpets have man-made or synthetic fibers that are treated with chemicals that release toxic gases into your home. Based on research, the chemical agents can cause cancer as well as hormone disruption, respiratory complications, and developmental health risks for young children.
Carpet, Floor Mat, and Cushion Cleaners
These cleaners often contain the chemical perchloroethylene, which is used in dry cleaning, as well as ammonium hydroxide, and naphthalene. Aside from giving milder side effects, the gases they release are cancerous and can damage your liver.
Paints and Decorating Materials
One of the most typical sources of VOCs is solvent-based paints and coatings, paint thinners, and brush cleaners. Much smaller amounts are contained in water-based paints. When paints are applied, the VOCs evaporate and can become carcinogens, especially indoors because the chemicals can linger in the air years after they are applied.
As a guide, the more smelly the paint is, the more toxic it is. Also, overexposure to paint chemicals without proper ventilation can cause blood, kidney and liver health problems.
The above-mentioned are just a few examples of products containing cancer-causing toxins in your home, and they are many others. So, have appropriate measures to keep you and your family safe to lower your health risks.
If products you use contain chemical ingredients, make sure you have proper ventilation, use gloves, and wash your hands as well as fruit and vegetables, well. Be aware of ingredients and choosy about the household products you use.
Choose those that have low or no VOCs to lessen their impact on your health and home.
