8 Toxic Household Products You Should Get Rid Of

toxic-householdThere are hundreds of household products that are bad for the environment, harmful to human health, or both. The companies that manufacture products generally do not care about their impact on health and the environment. Unfortunately, most companies focus on their profits rather than how well good product is with respect to those aspects of life.

It is up to each and every consumer to understand what products are made of, which substances are harmful, and how to make better choices about what they buy. Some extremely common items like air fresheners can actually have known cancer-causing chemicals in them, yet they are still seen as safe because the general population is unaware of the hidden harmful ingredients. Here we will go over eight common household products and why they may be bad for human and pet health, as well as for the environment.

Vinyl

Vinyl can be everywhere in a home, from pipes, vinyl and sidings to toys, furniture, and accessories. Vinyl products often contain phthalates, a chemical that is considered a plasticizer; it makes the vinyl softer and more flexible. Phthalates have been linked to hormonal issues, especially in males.

They can interfere with testosterone production and even cause birth defects in babies. The chemical also exacerbates asthma and allergy symptoms. Some vinyl products may contain lead, which is widely known as an extremely dangerous element. If vinyl is accidentally burned or a fire breaks out, awful chemicals are released into the air that can cause permanent damage to anyone who inhales them. If a person or pet is trapped in the house, the fumes from the burning vinyl can easily kill them.

Air Fresheners And Fragrances

Air fresheners have a lot of potential to harm humans and pets because they are dispersed into the air and then inhaled. We know that inhaling cigarette smoke can cause dozens of problems in the lungs and the respiratory pathway, and it is the same for air fresheners. Most kinds contain carcinogens and other harmful substances; a few well-known toxic substances that are common in air fresheners are formaldehyde, butane, propane, and acetone. All of these chemicals have been linked to cancer and/or lung complications when inhaled. One study found that 86% of air fresheners contain phthalates, the harmful substance that is often combined with vinyl to make it more flexible and durable. This chemical helps the scents in air fresheners last longer.

Harsh cleaners

Household cleaners have a range of harshness. You can make your own, which is the best option for the environment and for your health. Unfortunately, many store bought cleaners turn out to be really harsh. It’s obvious that many of the chemicals are bad for the environment, but not as many people realize how harmful harsh cleaners can be to human and pet health.

Effects of harsh cleaners range from skin irritation, rashes, coughing, and dizziness, to permanent lung damage, trouble breathing, severe burns, and cancers. Some cleaners, such as laundry detergents and pet odor removers, have fragrances added to them. These cleaners have the added potential harmful effects of fragrances, as explained in the above paragraph.

Canned Foods

In order to keep the food inside the can fresher, there is a lining on the inside of the can. This lining is called BPA, and it is basically a poison. BPA is present in things like canned beans, soda cans, and canned vegetables, but it is also used in other items like water bottles and baby bottles. The chemical interferes with the natural order of the hormones in your body; for example, it can prevent the secretion or elimination of necessary hormones.

In addition to BPA and other chemicals in the cans themselves, canned foods contain more preservatives than fresh foods do. This is a given, but all of that extra sodium and the unnecessary chemicals can be harmful, especially over time. Here’s a tip: buying dry beans by the pound is often cheaper than canned beans anyways, and it is much healthier.

Nonstick Cookware

Nonstick cookware is generally coated with Teflon, a synthetic molecule that helps prevent food from sticking to a surface. Teflon has one major health issue that manufacturers sometimes warn consumers about and the Environmental Protection Agency is aware of. This substance that is intentionally added to pans that will be used to cook with on a stove releases toxic fumes when exposed to high heat. It doesn’t make any sense that cookware would be coated with Teflon, but it is.

When heated up, the molecules start to disintegrate and release gases that, when inhaled, cause illness. In humans, it often presents as flu-like effects. It can have a stronger impact on smaller people and children. For small pets like birds, the effects of the Teflon’s gases can be deadly.

Bottled Water

Remember the chemical BPA from the canned foods paragraph? It used to be very common in both disposable and reusable bottles. Most companies have stopped using it due to proven harmful effects, but some bottled water still contains it. There are also other chemicals in the plastic that can release toxins into the water and air, especially over time or if the bottle is exposed to heat. Disposable water bottles are simply terrible for the environment.

The process of creating plastic bottles causes significant air pollution, and only a small amount of bottles are actually recycled. Producing water bottles requires fossil fuels, which are nonrenewable resources taken from the Earth that will run out someday. Why waste precious resources on bottles that will be used for a few hours, and then dumped into a landfill? It takes thousands of years for plastic to break down; it just isn’t worth it.

Antibacterial Soap

Antibacterial soap contains a chemical called triclosan, which is the component that actually targets the bacteria. It’s been shown that antibacterial soap is actually no more effective than regular soap is, and if it is, it’s by a tiny amount. Therefore, the effects of the triclosan in the soap are totally unnecessary. The chemical has been shown to interfere with hormones, especially in the thyroid. Antibacterial soap has been associated with increased allergies and decreased immune strength in children. It’s even possible that frequent use of antibacterial soap could lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The triclosan is bad for the environment because it is a waste product that builds up in the water and affects aquatic organisms.

Ammonia Products

Ammonia is present in so many areas of life, even in food. Certain food products like meats are processed with ammonia, a harsh chemical that shouldn’t be coming anywhere near our food. As for the household, the most common place that you’d find ammonia is in cleaning supplies. It’s considered a multipurpose cleaner, and it can function as a sanitizer, a degreaser, and more. Ammonia cleaners are bad for the environment because of harmful fumes that are released into the air, and because of ammonia waste that is released into the water. Harsh chemicals are not meant to be disposed of down the drain like water is, but the general population does so anyways. Like triclosan, lots of ammonia in the water can harm aquatic animals and even humans, too.

 

To protect yourself from the daily toxins you are exposed to, go to the next page and discover how you can boost your immune system with ‘The Elixir Of Life That You Are Missing Out!‘.

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About the Author:

Emma Deangela is the best selling author of The Alkaline Diet Program and 80/20 Fat Loss. She has helped over tens of thousands of men and women to lose weight and transform their health with sound nutrition advice.

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16 responses to “8 Toxic Household Products You Should Get Rid Of”

  1. Georgia Trebing Avatar
    Georgia Trebing

    Very interesting

  2. Douglas Avatar
    Douglas

    Great information, thank you and please keep the info coming

  3. Rose brink Avatar
    Rose brink

    I am taking blood thinning medicine can you take these capsules with it,

  4. Xiu Maki Avatar
    Xiu Maki

    Not to mention that Mixing bleach and ammonia is extremely dangerous, since toxic vapors will be produced. The primary toxic chemical formed by the reaction is chloramine vapor, with a potential for hydrazine formation. Here’s a look at the chemical reactions involved in mixing bleach and ammonia, as well as some first aid advice if you accidentally become exposed to a bleach and ammonia mixture.

    Note that each and every one of these chemicals is toxic, except for the water and salt.
    NH3 = ammonia.

    HCl = hydrochloric acid
    NaOCl = sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
    Cl = chlorine
    Cl2 = chlorine gas
    NH2Cl = chloramine
    N2H4 = hydrazine
    NaCl = sodium chloride or salt
    H2O = water
    Likely Chemical Reactions from Mixing Bleach and Ammonia

    The bleach decomposes to form hydrochloric acid, which reacts with ammonia to form toxic chloramine fumes:First the hydrochloric acid is formed:NaOCl → NaOH + HOClHOCl → HCl + O

    And then the ammonia and chlorine gas react to form chloramine, which is released as a vapor:NaOCl + 2HCl → Cl2 + NaCl + H2O2NH3 + Cl2 → 2NH2ClIf ammonia is present in excess (which it may or may not be, depending on your mixture), toxic and potentially explosive liquid hydrazine may be formed.

    While impure hydrazine tends not to explode, it’s still toxic, plus it can boil and spray hot toxic liquid.2NH3 + NaOCl → N2H4 + NaCl + H2O

    While different proportions can produce more or less chlorine gas, the main products are going to be nearly as toxic nitrogen chlorides. Ammonia itself will react with much of the chlorine gas produced to make the nitrogen chlorides.

    NH3 + Cl2 –> [NH3Cl+ + Cl- ] –> NH2Cl + HCl

    Of course the HCl can go on to make more Cl2. The nitrogen monochloride can also react with more chlorine gas to get nitrogen dichloride. Obviously, the kinetics are complicated.

    If you do accidentally become to exposed to fumes from mixing bleach and ammonia, immediately remove yourself from the vicinity to fresh air and seek emergency medical attention. The vapors can attack your eyes and mucous membranes, but the biggest threat comes from inhaling the gases.

    Get away from the site where the chemicals were mixed. You can’t call for help if you are overwhelmed by the fumes

    ( note that if it can attack your mucous membrane and eyes, so it does for all the animals being exposed to it, household pets, fish etc.)

    Bleach + Ammonia gives you chlorine gas. Which is toxic and was used as poison gas in WWI.

    It certainly could be considered a deadly weapon.

    So if someone uses bleach and another uses ammonia, then dumps them in a drain or the toilet to get rid of the used product, they ill end up in the water. The water that all life forms need to survive.

    And since those chemicals stay in the water for a very long time, the more is used, the more chance we have of getting affected by the mixture in massive amounts in a near future.

  5. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy

    Thank you for the information. It’s sad that the Food Administration and Government allow these poisons to be put into products that are killing people. Companies are making money off us who are dying. I wonder do their family and friends eat the same products. Food Banks are giving away can products daily to people who are in need. Where’s the love for mankind.

  6. Kris Avatar
    Kris

    As always, thank you for the information. It is greatly appreciated 🙂

  7. Hummer Klein Avatar
    Hummer Klein

    Thank you for your thoughtfulness and keep us informed
    Love to us all .

  8. Patricia Kelly-Banks Avatar
    Patricia Kelly-Banks

    We all must avoid triggers & toxic elements for environmental and personal purposes! Only eating all natural foods is impossible but we can consume less and focus on quality ingredients-Organic is great and fresher than all processed items-Foods or chemicals combined. Common sense and using our senses-if you smell an odor and ignore it, your lungs are being effected. Don’t disregard odd feelings or unusual illnesses recurring as your area could be triggering and creating acquired allergic reactions. Happened to us with most Doctors not knowing how to handle the situation, they’re not trained to see the signs of toxic exposures until you suffer consequently!

  9. Marian Zeitlin Avatar
    Marian Zeitlin

    This is extremely helpful, although I want to make one possible exception. I suspect amonia is no more toxic than most laundry detergents and it in fact has a natural detergent capacity. The Romans used urine to wash their clothes and this worked for them because of the high amonia content of urine, which if left to age for a few days also is a natural fertilizer, which is now being recommended for use as a part of the fight against climate change

  10. Damian Quijada Avatar
    Damian Quijada

    Just seems that we are not informed on these side effects until we’ve hurt the mother earth , our love ones & ourselves ; not a mystery as why Americans spend so much on health care . Not sure what is safe anymore !!!!

  11. huma Avatar
    huma

    Very informative information.

  12. baki thomas Avatar
    baki thomas

    Thank you for educating us You input is very valuable.

  13. Diana Killingsworth Avatar
    Diana Killingsworth

    WOW!! what an eye-opening article. Scary to think of what we’re doing to our bodies. May God Bless us all!!

  14. Michael Moon Avatar
    Michael Moon

    What about music on vinyl? I pass the test on most of these except I have over 1,000 records I started collecting 7 years ago. I don’t think I will be giving up this.

    Also, I’m currently using cookware that has teflon coating, it’s my roommates so it will be a while before I’m using all cast iron or stainless steel. I prefer the latter but don’t have a choice right now.

    It seems everthing is basically toxic. I do my best though.

  15. Elena Mbewe Avatar
    Elena Mbewe

    Extremely useful information! I didn’t know about Teflon cookware, bought it recently and, to my great surprise, had flu-like symptoms twice within just one month! I suspected allergic reaction , but what caused it – I didn’t know. Now the situation is clear.

    Thanks a lot for your very interesting articles !

  16. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    You mentioned air fresheners but what about oil diffusers? I am wondering if there is a link to my sinus stuffiness and the oil diffuser I purchased from WIlliam Sonoma. I know some candles can irritate the sinuses as well. What are your thoughts?

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