Nowadays, we are constantly exposed to numerous chemicals and dangerous toxins, even though we\re not aware of them sometimes.
Workplaces and restaurants should all adhere to certain safety measures to warrant the safety of their employees and customers, and guarantee that they are not exposed to dangerous levels of such substances.
Unfortunately, we all contain toxic ingredients at home as well. So, this article will present you 5 of the most common toxic household items that you should eliminate as soon as possible in order to prevent potential health risks.
1. Non-Stick Cookware
We all use non-stick cookware because it’s the easiest to use and clean afterwards so why shouldn’t we use it? It’s been discovered that once the non-stick pan or pot gets heated up the coating begins to decompose at a molecular level, releasing numerous toxic particles and gasses based on fluoride, most of which are carcinogenic. Instead of using these toxic pans and pots use the ceramic version, they’re much safer.
2. Artificial Sweeteners
Contrary to popular belief, the “safer” versions of sugar, the artificial sweeteners are actually worse than sugar itself, or at least most of them are. The majority of these sweeteners contain:
- Sorbitol – the intestines can’t digest it all the way, which creates a feeling of bloating, gasses and even diarrhea
- Acesulfame K – might affect pregnancy, lead to tumors, and may be carcinogenic
- Aspartame – has become infamous due to the link to skin cancers and can be deadly in the case of phenylketonuria
- Saccharin – indigestible, it is excreted unchanged by the liver, and leads to bladder cancer.
Instead of using the abovementioned sweeteners try the following natural ones, cultivated without refining:
- Erythritol – doesn’t affect the levels of insulin, blood sugar, cholesterol
- Xylitol – improves bone density and reduces the risk of tooth decay
- Stevia – can significantly reduce high blood pressure and blood sugar
- Yacon syrup – beneficial against constipation because it feeds the good intestine bacteria
3. Plastic bottles and food containers
The problem with plastic bottles and food containers is that they leak dangerous chemicals into the food. One such compound, bisphenol-A (BPA), is commonly used to harden plastic containers. However, according to several studies, BPA can severely harm your health.
Due to the numerous studies on the negative effects of the chemical, the FDA has changed their view on BPA admitting that there is at least some concern over its negative influence on the brain, behavior and prostate glands in babies, young children and fetuses. In order to protect yourself and the environment, you need to avoid disposable bottled water, and use metal or reusable containers.
4. Air fresheners
You might think they’re safe to use, but air fresheners actually release gasses, odors and fumes which are more dangerous than cigarette smoke and may cause asthma and hormonal imbalance. According to a study by the Public Health England’s Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, there’s a significant amount of formaldehyde in air fresheners which enters the group of known carcinogens by the United States’ National Toxicology Program.
The use of air fresheners has also been linked to nose and throat cancers. Instead of using them in your home, use essential oils instead – add 10-15 drops in a cup of distilled water and spray the solution in your house.
5. Commercial cleaning products
We all use commercial cleaning products to clean surfaces in our homes, but they contain very dangerous toxic substances that have been linked to serious diseases and conditions. Compounds such as BPA, triclosan and parabens have been found in popular cleaning products – all of them have been found to cause hormonal imbalance and other health problems.
Instead of these products, you should try cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, which will provide the same, if not better results.