Everyday Household Products That Can Harm Your Health Part 1

             

These are just a few everyday household items we interact with that are harmful for us.  I was kind of surprised while researching this topic to find out what they contain in them and what makes them so dangerous to our health.

1. Napkins and Paper Towels

The paper industry is a huge business so I wasn't shocked to find out that one-third of our landfills contain some sort of paper product.  Throw in the amount of trees we cut down every year and it makes you wonder how long this business can sustain itself let alone the effects all of this is having on our planet.  Take the standard hand and toilet paper, the process to make them bright white is a toxic one they get treated with bleach and formaldehyde.  There are several ways they achieve this and the worst way is chlorine gas also known as elemental chlorine this process releases compounds like dioxins and furans, which are powerful carcinogens and mutagens.  These chemicals affect the immune system and can lead to reproductive problems.  They are also horrible for our water supplies and our environment.  If you can't find 100 percent recycled paper at the very least look for non-scented, ink and dye free or totally chlorine free hand towels.  You might have to sacrifice those fancy patterns and borders to achieve a healthier lifestyle and leave our Eco-system in better shape. 

                                       

Non-Stick Cookware  

Here is the 411 when it comes to non-stick pots and pans if your pots and pans contain PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) toss them in the garbage!  Most teflon pans contain PFOA which studies have shown have been linked to bladder, kidney, testicular and ovarian cancer.  The good news is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working really hard to end the use of PFOA.  A good alternative would be a cast iron skillet, ceramic pots and pans, and stainless steel. 

                                     

Shower Curtains

We use shower curtains to prevent water from splashing everywhere but most plastic and vinyl shower curtains contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and over one hundred deadly chemicals are being released especially when you are heating the shower up.  These chemicals have been tested and found to cause liver, kidney and respiratory problems in both adults and children.  So if your shower curtain has that fresh brand new smell it's most likely releasing these deadly chemicals.  A good alternative would be PVC-Free curtains made from hemp, linens or organic cotton.

                                     

Air fresheners 

This product is probably the most common household item you will find in a home today.  The problem is that air fresheners contain toxic chemicals called VOCs as mentioned above these chemicals can be deadly.  Every day air fresheners also contain phthalates that are known to cause problems in women who are pregnant and interfere with the hormones in males and can cause cellular regeneration as well as respiratory issues.  Most if not all air fresheners that were tested contained carcinogenic chemicals which mean they are toxic and cancer causing.  A great alternative to commercial air fresheners would be natural oils released from a diffuser not only will these essential oils help make the air smell better but they are safer to smell.  They can also be applied directly to the skin without any problems. 

                                       

Candles

A lot candles contain paraffin wax by itself it is not harmful but when burned they create toxic carcinogens called toluene and benzene these are the same fumes found in diesel fuel.  Half of all scented candles contain lead wiring in their wicks.  This is toxic when burned and releases heavy metals into the air so instead of enhancing your mood they are actually disrupting it and causing behavioral disorders as well as many other health issues.  Lead wicks were banned in 2003 but companies still use them in scented candles which also use dyes and other chemicals that are toxic.  A great and safer alternative are beeswax candles not only are they not toxic but are great for the environment because they produce negative ions which help reduce indoor pollution.

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of- Everyday Household Products that can harm for Your health.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018511/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2860827/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2677823/

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