We have grown to believe that our home is our castle. But
things have changed long ago and nowadays our homes might be hiding more danger
than safety. Indeed quite a lot information has been shared about the infamous formaldehyde, nitrobenzene and methylene chloride – all carcinogens that can be
found in everyday items such as rubber, plastic, dyes, perfumes, shampoos.
Take a look at a few of the items you thought harmless and
see the health problems they can provoke. Then make sure you take the right
decision and rid your home of many cancer-causers and ensure a healthy
environment for you and your family.
01. Air fresheners..
Many air fresheners have carcinogens, volatile organic
compounds and toxins such as phthalate esters in their formulas. A Natural
Resources Defense Council (NRDC) study of 13 common household air fresheners
found that most of the surveyed products contain chemicals that can aggravate
asthma and affect reproductive development.
According to a 2008 study by Anne Steinemann of the
University of Washington, all air-fresheners tested gave off chemicals
regulated as toxic or hazardous under federal laws, including carcinogens with
no safe exposure level. None of these chemicals, however, were listed on the
product labels or Material Safety Data Sheets. As a replacement, try natural
fragrances from essential oils.
02. Candles..
According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC), 40 percent of candles on the market contain lead wires
inside their wicks. Scented candles most commonly contain lead wicks. Fragrance
oils soften the wax, so the manufacturers use lead to make the wicks firmer.
A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the
amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) pollution standards for outdoor air, says the CPSC.
Exposure to high amounts of lead may contribute to hormone disruption,
behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and many other health problems.
If you want to keep your home softly lit and cozy without
risking your health go for beeswax candles with cotton wicks. For more
information on how to make your own beeswax candles read How to Make Beeswax
Candles.
03. Art supplies..
Certain art supplies like Epoxy and rubber cement glues,
acrylic paints and solvents, and permanent markers contain chemicals linked to allergies, organ damage, and cancer.
Children are particularly vulnerable to toxins because of
their higher metabolisms, and immature immune systems, so it pays to exercise
extra care with the products they use. To find nontoxic and green alternatives
to common art supplies, or recipes for making your own, read Are Art Supplies
Toxic?
04. Shampoos..
Unlikely as it may sound, conventional shampoos have too
many toxic ingredients. Funny as it may sound, their effects are still being
researched, and there is no scientific consensus whether they cause cancer. But
if you want to be on the safe side, you can use any of the myriad of handmade
shampoo bars, offered on etsy.
05. Antiperspirants..
Most conventional deodorants and antiperspirants contain
several ingredients linked to virulent cancers. Since deodorants and
antiperspirants are designed to stay on our bodies for hours, this allows the
potential absorption of harmful chemicals through the skin. After I read this
article on Green Living Ideas I completely stopped using antiperspirants but am
yet to write an extensive post about that.
06. Shower curtains..
Plastic shower curtains leach toxic chemicals not only into
your shower or bath, but also into the environment, emitting harmful chemicals
called volatile organic chemicals or VOCs.
Reducing your contact with any of these products, in
addition to conventional cleaners, will surely make your home your castle.
Source:healthy-holistic-living.com Via:Riseearth.com
