We grew up thinking our home was our castle. But things have changed a long time ago and today our homes could hide more danger than safety. Indeed, a lot of information is shared about formaldehyde, nitrobenzene and methylene chloride. These are all carcinogenic substances that can be found in everyday objects such as rubber, plastic, dyes, perfumes, shampoos.
Take a look at some of those products you thought were harmless and see what health problems they can cause. Then, make sure you make the right decision and ban these sources of disease from your home and thus guarantee a healthy environment for you and your family.
1. Air fresheners
Many air fresheners are carcinogenic, they are volatile organic compounds, toxins like phthalate esters. A Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study of 13 commonly used household air fresheners found that most of these products contained chemicals that may aggravate asthma and affect reproductive development.
According to a 2008 study by Anne Steinemann of the University of Washington, all air fresheners tested contained chemicals declared toxic or hazardous under federal law, including uncontrolled carcinogens. None of these chemicals, however, were listed on product labels or MSDSs. As an alternative, try natural perfumes made with essential oils.
2. Candles
A candle with a wick made of lead contains five times the amount of lead considered dangerous to children and exceeds outdoor air pollution standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the CPSC. Exposure to high amounts of lead can contribute to hormonal disruption, behavioral problems, learning difficulties, and many other health problems.
If you want to keep your home dim and warm without risking your health, opt for candles made from beeswax and cotton wicks.
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