Five Toxic Ingredients In Your Home You Should Remove

Did you know that many toxic, cancer-causing materials likely exist inside your home? The truth is, seemingly innocuous and regular household products can contain carcinogenic substances and chemicals.

Though these items are now part of our “everyday” life, they can in fact be sources of harm for your health. Although there are dozens of green bathroom cleaners on the market, finding products to replace toxic ones in other areas of your house isn’t always as easy.

Check out this list for some of the most common toxic ingredients that are likely lurking inside your home.

Non-stick cookware

Non-stick cookware may be easy to use, but contains its own secret – the reason it is non-stick is due to the presence of a non-stick coating containing perfluorooctanoic acid and other perfluorinated compounds (also known as PFCs). When these pans are heated, the coating is broken down and the toxins released into the air.

Plastic bottles and canned foods

Companies use a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic bottles and containers, and even to line tin cans! This is a problem, because BPA has been shown to be harmful to our health, and some studies have found that 19 out of 20 people have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies. Next time you’re thinking about canned food, think again and look for plastic bottles (including baby bottles) that are BPA free.

Make-up chemicals

It may come as a surprise to some that the daily use of make-up can expose a woman’s body to a large amount of chemicals – more than 2 kilograms each day! When make-up is applied to your skin, the chemicals will be absorbed into your bloodstream, without first being filtered by our bodies. Key chemicals to avoid here are formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. Buy natural make-up instead.

Cleaning products

Household cleaners can be a major entry point for chemicals in the home. Research into the effect of household cleaners on cancer rates – namely breast cancer – is still underway, but the number of women who use chemical-laden cleaners who get breast cancer is already grounds for concern.

Ditch chemical cleaners for natural ones, or go one step further and try using soap and water, vinegar, and even baking soda mixed with apple cider vinegar to clean.

Art supplies

For those who do art at home, don’t assume your materials are safe. Art supplies such as rubber cement glues, solvents, acrylic paints, and even permanent markers can contain carcinogens. Look for supplies that are water-based or lead-free instead.

For more information on products that are healthy for you and your family, contact Green City Plumber today!