Over the years, the modern world has become increasingly dependent on artificially created products using chemicals and other substances. It has led to many valuable inventions for our everyday use; however, it has also put our health at risk. Pollution and toxicity are the direct consequences of the use of such chemicals and artificially created products.
With recent research and studies, scientists are beginning to reveal that some household products are more toxic than we realize. We often think we’re safe at home from the pollution outside while being unaware of the use of harmful items in our homes.
Without identifying dangerous household items and avoiding their use, it’s very likely for your health to deteriorate gradually. Household items can be far more harmful to your health than you’d expect. Cancer, asthma, and heart disease are just a few of the fatal diseases these household products can cost you. Here are four household products that you should avoid to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Cleaning items
Cleaning products are widely used in every home. However, this should not be the case as they can cause severe damage to your health. Cleaning items such as disinfectants and detergents contain many harmful chemicals, including ammonia, bleach, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These dangerous chemicals are released in the air upon use, causing headaches, eye irritation, and sore throats. In worse cases, these chemicals are capable of causing severe allergies, cancer, and asthma. Moreover, VOCs can react with compounds in the air to produce further indoor pollution that can prove hazardous for a long time. The best way to avoid these chemicals is by making cleaning products at home.
However, it’s often impossible to entirely avoid exposure to toxic materials in your home, as they’re present in almost every product. For instance, asbestos is a hazardous element found in nearly every other household item. It can be present in dishwashers, washing machines, ovens, baby powder, and insulation. Unfortunately, exposure to this material can lead to fatal mesothelioma cancer. If you’ve developed this cancer, you must get legal help and hold the negligent manufacturers accountable. Taking such stern action can provide you financial compensation while also protecting others from that manufacturer.
Plastic containers
Plastic is used in almost every type of product these days. Plastic containers are daily-use household necessities used to store food and water. However, this excessive use of plastic is putting us at constant risk. Many of us think that plastic lasts forever. However, that’s not true as it gradually starts degrading and releasing chemicals into the food or water we store in it.
Moreover, the process of degrading proliferates when we microwave food in plastic containers. As a result, microplastics enter our bloodstreams, causing severe damage to our health. According to research, phthalates are another chemical found in plastics that leaks into our food and water, causing reproductive dysfunction, asthma, and reduced fertility.
There’s a growing misconception amongst people that the use of BPA-free plastics is safe. However, that’s not the case, as the term BPA-free does not imply that plastic is toxin-free. In reality, you’re simply replacing BPA with other dangerous chemicals such as bisphenol S (BPS), putting your health at risk again. According to a study, even the slightest quantity of BPS can disrupt cell function, leading to asthma, metabolic disorders, and cancer.
Non-stick cookware
Non-stick cookware is indeed helpful in cooking food, cleaning pans, and flipping omelets. However, it’s still not worth your health. Non-stick cookware usually has a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a type of plastic used to create easy-to-clean surfaces that last for years. While this may be a stable compound at room temperatures, heating can cause it to disintegrate into your food. Once overheated, the PTFE coating releases toxic gases that can cause polymer fume fever if inhaled. It results in flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, and fever. In case of increased exposure to these fumes, lung damage can occur.
Some people may argue that overheating non-stick cookware is rare, as temperatures usually stay under 300°C. However, you can’t be aware of the exact temperature at all times, and it’s still possible to overheat your cookware. Nonetheless, it’s better to be on the safe side.
Air fresheners
While air fresheners may help make the air more fragrant, they may also be jeopardizing your health. By using air fresheners, you emit dangerous chemicals directly into the air, making them a significant source of indoor pollution. Even the ones labeled organic or green can release toxic chemicals.
Similar to cleaning products, air fresheners of all types release high concentrations of VOCs into the air. Along with VOCs, air fresheners also contain toluene, phthalates, benzene, and over a hundred more chemicals. What’s worse is that these chemicals can react with those present in the air to form further pollution.
Many of these chemicals, such as formaldehyde, are carcinogens. People commonly experience breathing difficulties after the use of air fresheners. Migraine, headaches, asthma attacks, neurological problems, and ventricular fibrillation are some other health issues.
Conclusion
We can’t deny that many of the products mentioned above make household tasks more manageable. However, it would help if you kept in mind that this ease comes at the price of your health. We can’t afford to put our health at risk, and it’s best to avoid the use of such products. And if you have infants at home, extra precautionary measures will do you good.
What’s best is that you can use better and safer alternatives for the household items mentioned above.