Dangerous Chemicals in Your Home
No matter how hard we try, it’s not realistic to expect that we can avoid getting in touch with all the toxins and dangerous chemicals around us. However, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to reduce their presence in our home as much as possible. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals are present in items that we’d never suspect to be so dangerous for our health. Considering this, we’ve decided to help you out and created a list of the most harmful chemicals that can be found in an average household. Let’s take a look and make your home a healthier place to live in.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is one among the many chemicals that have been added to the list of carcinogens that lurk in the majority of households. However, this one is particularly tricky to deal with because it’s never listed among the ingredients on a product’s label. The reason for this is because formaldehyde is produced in a chemical reaction, so instead of looking for its name on the label, you should search for ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15, hydroxymethylglycinate and similar preservatives that are responsible for its production. They are often found in body and face care products as well as soaps.
Chlorine
Chlorine is another harmful chemical widely present in our homes since it can be found in almost every laundry whitener, mold remover and kitchen cleaner. On the one hand, this substance is extremely efficient at killing bacteria, while on the other hand, it can have some serious consequences on our health, especially on nasal and respiratory passages that can get irritated once a person is exposed to it. On top of that, it has been shown that chlorine is one of the most common causes of thyroid dysfunction. Having heard this, maybe it’s time for you to switch to some more natural home-made cleaning options like vinegar and baking soda. They are both super efficient at removing stains and disinfecting toilets, but at the same time, they won’t put you and your entire family at risk.
Asbestos
Many houses and apartment buildings that were constructed before 1980 contain asbestos in their insulation, pipe cement, even floor tiles, roof shingles and similar. Unfortunately, even if your home is newer, it can still contain asbestos, so make sure to check it with the previous owners and the company which built it. Although it may not pose a danger at the moment, it becomes a serious hazard when it is airborne. In other words, once your walls get damaged, it gets released into the air and can lead to severe health issues. Additionally, some of the diseases that are related to this dangerous substance include lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. Taking into account the severity of the issue and what can happen if we don’t deal with it in a proper way, it’s much safer to opt for professional asbestos clearance. Experienced professionals are aware of all the necessary precautions when removing and disposing of asbestos, so you will be reassured that they will abide by the highest safety standards.
Quats
Quats is the abbreviation of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and it is another dangerous toxin which can be found in many cleaning products, especially those labeled antibacterial. However, apart from being a common ingredient of different cleaners, it is often in fabric softeners as well. Numerous studies have shown that this chemical, although very effective at destroying bacteria, is linked to skin irritations and can even lead to serious respiratory problems. So, as we have already mentioned, natural cleaning products are definitely the best and safest way to go.
Phthalates
If you have ever wondered what makes plastic so flexible, now you’ll finally get the answer – phthalates. Fascinating isn’t it!? Well, maybe not that much after all, especially when you discover how harmful it can be. This chemical may be found in numerous detergents and personal care products, and it is often responsible for early puberty in girls and can even increase the risk of breast cancer later on in life. So, you should definitely remember to check the ingredients list of such products and take some other precautions as well. For instance, you should stop microwaving plastic containers of any kind and try to avoid vinyl flooring as well as PVC pipes. All this may seem a bit too much, but we guarantee you that it’s definitely worth all the trouble. After all, being healthy is a prerequisite for being happy in life.
Radon
Radon is a natural gas that can get inside your home from within the ground and pose a huge health risk. It has been shown that radon is one of the most common causes of lung cancer among non-smokers. Luckily, there is a simple way to check whether it’s present in your home, so don’t forget to do this. All you need to do is buy a special kit which will measure its level and show you whether you need to contact a specialist immediately.
As you can see, we are surrounded by so many different hazardous substances that it seems hard to keep them under control. However, if we devise a good plan, get well-informed and are ready to take action, there is nothing to be worried about. Remember – safety comes first!
Author Bio
Lucas is a real estate agent and renewable energy consultant with many hobbies and passions, but above all, he enjoys the most spending time with his wife – Mara. He also likes Lord of the Rings. He, actually, very much likes Lord of the Rings. He is a regular contributor at smoothdecorator.com