10 Toxic Chemicals that Could be Harmful to Your Health

 

Unfortunately, toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to our health are all around us. There are many products that we are around or use everyday that may be harmful to our health. Although toxicity is hard to avoid, there are some things you can do to keep your family safe and healthy. Here are some items that could be harmful to your health but can be substituted for healthier alternatives.

Cleaning solutions. The cleaning solutions in your home may be one of the most dangerous items when it comes to toxic chemicals. Cleaning solutions can be dangerous when you use them often or use them in a small space that isn’t ventilated. When you do these things, it can release toxic levels of pollutants. The toxic release comes from ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes. To take care of this issue, there are many natural and non-toxic cleaning products available to buy.

Air fresheners. Air fresheners are very similar to cleaning solutions when it comes to the toxic chemicals that are released from it. Air fresheners become more harmful when used often and in small areas. Air fresheners differ because they have many dangerous organic compounds like nitrogen dioxide and paradichlorobenzene. Similar to the cleaning solutions, there are natural, non-toxic air fresheners that you can buy.

Baby bottles. Baby bottles are dangerous because of the plastic that they are made of. They are made from polycarbonate plastics which are made out of a chemical called bisphenol-A. BPA is known as a hormone disruptor because it can interfere with human hormones, especially in younger children.

Cosmetics. There are many cosmetic products that you probably use everyday that could be harming your health. Some of the cosmetic products include hair spray, shampoo, fragrances, makeup, and deodorant. These products have chemicals called phthalates. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals.

Clothing. Only clothing made out of certain materials can be harmful. Clothing made out of rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton, or any synthetic blended polymer can be harmful because of the formaldehyde resins that they were treated with. These chemicals have been labeled as a “probable carcinogen.” They can harm you through direct contact with your skin or through off-gassing. Formaldehyde has caused health problems including cancer, fatigue, skin rashes, and allergic reactions.

Carpet. Health issues that have come from carpet have come from new carpet installation. When new carpet is installed, the glue and dyes that are used release volatile organic compounds which can be harmful to your health.

Lead paint. Lead paint is probably one of the most well-known products to have high toxicity and be harmful to your health. Lead paint can cause problems with the brain, blood cells, kidneys, and central nervous system. Lead paint has been known to cause problems specifically in babies and younger children because it can lead to developmental issues.

Tap water. Tap water can be dangerous if it contains a lot of disinfection byproducts, chloroform, or fluoride. Chloroform can cause cancer, potential reproductive damage, birth defects, dizziness, fatigue, headache, liver and kidney damage. Fluoride can alter your endocrine function which can increase your risk of bone fractures or lower your IQ. The best way to resolve this problem is to make sure the water in your home is filtered.

Flame retardants. Flame retardants are typically used in mattresses, upholstery, television, and computer casings. They use polybrominated diphenyl ethers which have been shown to cause health problems. Some health issues that have occurred because of flame retardants are problems with learning and memory, lowered sperm counts, and poor thyroid functioning in animals.

Pesticides. Pesticides can be dangerous when someone is exposed to a large amount, but it can also be very harmful to younger children even in small amounts. Exposure to pesticides can cause memory loss, loss of coordination, reduced visual ability, reduced motor skills, asthma, allergies, or hypersensitivity.

While there isn’t a way to avoid all of these products, there are some things you can do. As mentioned above, try to find natural and non-toxic products to replace the ones that could be harmful to your health. Try to avoid exposure to any of these products if possible; if you must come into contact, make sure you ventilate the area and do not expose yourself to the product for a long period of time. Even though toxic chemicals may be all around you, it is possible to find ways to keep your family safe and healthy.

 

Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/12/23/10-dangerous-everyday-things-in-your-home.aspx