But there are many potential product defects that aren't as easy to spot as a broken leg on a coffee table, or a rip in a shirt. Scientists have discovered that the chemicals contained in our everyday products are more toxic than originally thought. In part because of the widespread use of chemicals in our daily lives, the National Poison Data System estimates that 4 million poisonings occur in the United States each year.
There's no denying that chemicals make our lives more comfortable and convenient. Thanks to them, mosquitoes can no longer bother us; thanks to them, moths no longer eat away at our clothing, and thanks to them, our houses are able to maintain the aroma of spring morning dew. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently concluded that indoor air may be more polluted than outdoor air. And considering that we spend nearly 90 percent of our time indoors, it can't help but make our cozy homes seem less safe.
Where are these toxins coming from? And what can we do about it? Once you've read the next ten of the most toxic common items, you may want to consider whether you want to buy them at home next time.
(Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Please do your own research on the toxicity of a product before making a purchasing decision.)
1. Mothballs
Mothballs give off a distinctive odor to clothing. Because moths can chew holes in clothing or other textiles, many people pack mothballs to repel them. But you don't want to inhale too much of the sublimated gas from mothballs. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency even requires mothball manufacturers to put a warning on their packaging to "avoid inhalation.
In studies of p-dichlorobenzene, a common ingredient in mothballs, it has been found to cause cancer in animals. Although scientists have yet to prove that p-dichlorobenzene causes cancer in humans, there is enough evidence from animal studies to encourage people to be careful with the substance. There are also mothballs that contain naphthalene, and regular exposure to naphthalene can cause damage to red blood cells. This chemical can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you must use mothballs, then put them in an airtight container and keep the room ventilated. And be sure to rewash these clothes before wearing them, as those smells have been drawn into the fibers of the clothes.
2. Insecticides
Insecticides are one of the most commonly used modern household products. Ninety percent of U.S. households reportedly use some form of insecticide. Insecticides cover a wide range of chemicals that kill everything from microorganisms to rodents. Insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants, or other products can be included. Because they are toxic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires manufacturers to indicate the degree of toxicity on the product's outer packaging.
While pesticides undergo various types of testing before they reach the market, you should still use caution and store them out of reach of children. In 2006 alone, U.S. poison control centers received nearly 46,000 calls about children under age 5 being exposed to toxic pesticides. Most inadvertent exposures occur indoors, so it's important that you keep your home ventilated after using insecticides. Also before shopping for an insecticide, learn more about its chemical composition and safe use.
3. Compressed board
Compressed board is widely used in furniture and home decoration. This man-made panel, like the hot dog of wood products, presses bits and pieces together. Compressed board products also include particle board, fiberboard and insulated panels among other home improvement products.
But the glue that holds the wood together can be quite harmful. Urea-formaldehyde, a resin used in some compressed boards, is estimated to be the largest source of formaldehyde emissions indoors. Formaldehyde emissions can be even higher at elevated temperatures and humidity.
Formaldehyde is notoriously dangerous, with the potential to trigger watery eyes, burning throats, breathing difficulties and asthma. Scientists have confirmed that it may also be able to cause cancer in animals, and it's a possibility for humans, too.
Prefabricated homes tend to release higher levels of formaldehyde because of the constraints of building materials and small spaces. A preliminary report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February 2008 detailed the problems experienced by victims living in temporary housing along the Gulf Coast as a result of the hurricane disaster. Unusually high rates of illness have occurred among residents due to long-term exposure to formaldehyde.
It's actually good news if you live in an older home built of compressed or insulated boards, which release less formaldehyde because of their age. Also, using dryers and air conditioners to keep your indoor environment dry can reduce formaldehyde emissions. Today, compressed panel products are also more tightly regulated when it comes to formaldehyde emissions.
4. Chemicals in carpets
Indoor carpets are controversial because of their volatile organic compounds. While carpeting itself is not dangerous, there have been health problems associated with it.
It is well known that the glues and dyes used in carpets release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be harmful in high concentrations. But usually, the VOCs are much reduced after a few days of laying the carpet.
Scientists are still studying which chemicals are released by new carpeting and whether they are dangerous to the general public. To mitigate that danger, some carpet manufacturers are also continuing to test indoor air quality issues associated with carpeting.
To be on the safe side, you can ask your carpet retailer to unroll your new carpet and let it air out for a few days before you take it home. To minimize VOCs, you should also keep the newly carpeted area well-ventilated.
5. Chemicals from laser printers
A 2007 study by Australia's Queensland University of Technology found that some laser printers release ultrafine particles that can cause serious health problems. Another National Institute of Public **** Health study confirmed that laser and inkjet printers release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and particles.
Tests so far have shown that concentrations of released particles return to normal levels after a few minutes. But in severe cases, they may be linked to heart and lung disease. For that reason, the biggest implication of this study is to be careful not to place employees next to printers as your company adjusts its layout.
Not all printers have this problem. A Queensland test study of printers found that 40 percent of printers released ultrafine particles, while 27 percent released high concentrations. The emissions vary depending on differences such as the type of printer, age and toner.
In response to the findings, companies including Xerox and Hewlett-Packard have publicly denied that their products are hazardous to human health. According to Xerox, the company has always conducted experiments addressing the effects of toner on human health.
If you're picking out a new printer, it's a good idea to do a little more research into their environmental concerns.
6. Lead paint
In 1991, the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to children. It's not hard to imagine that lead can be just as bad for adults. Even low concentrations of lead can damage the central nervous system, brain, blood-forming cells and kidneys. For fetuses, infants and children, the threat is even greater, as lead can become mentally impaired.
Lead paint has long been a source of controversy, and many houses built 20 or 30 years ago have used lead paint. Lead paint that is intact on the surface is not a threat to your life. However, once the paint begins to peel, lead particles that are harmful to your body can be released. For this reason, do not try to sand, scrape, or burn off lead paint yourself, as this will release the toxic metal. Call a professional to take care of it.
A massive recall of toys in China in late 2007 was due to a trial of the same type of paint. Retailers were concerned that the paint, which kids were breathing in, could cause brain damage.
7. Air fresheners
Air fresheners can clean up our indoor environment. However, a study by the University of California, Berkeley, found that when fresheners are used excessively in areas where space is tight and ventilation is poor, these products release toxic pollutants, mainly two chemicals, vinyl glycerol ether and terpenes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that the ether itself is toxic, while the non-toxic terpenes combine with airborne ozone to form toxic substances.
Air fresheners are associated with many volatile organic compounds, such as nitrogen dioxide. This substance is two to five times more concentrated indoors than outdoors and may cause cancer in some animals. Some fresheners also contain p-dichlorobenzene, a substance also found in mothballs, which we discussed earlier.
Keeping your restroom clean or using air fresheners won't make you sick, but be sure to take precautions to keep your house airy before you clean.
8. Plastic bottles and BPA
Canada has taken the first steps to ban the sale of polycarbonate plastic bottles, the most common bottles on the market. The reason
this is being done is because the plastic is made with chemicals that contain BPA. When heated, they bottles release BPA.
What's so bad about a little bit of BPA mixed in with baby formula, anyway? BPA is so similar in structure to estrogen that it is called a "hormone disruptor". As the name suggests, hormone disruptors can interfere with human hormones, especially in young children. According to extensive research by the U.S. and Canadian environmental health agencies, products containing BPA may adversely affect the neurodevelopment of the fetus.
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found detectable levels of BPA in 93 percent of participants, with the highest concentrations in children. Other common products that contain BPA include plastic bottles, CD-ROMs and some plastic tableware.
9. Flame retardants
Flame retardants are commonly used in mattresses, cushions, circuit boards, and TV and computer cases. Suffice it to say that flame retardants have prevented major damage in many homes due to accidental fires. However, scientists have also discovered the dark side of this chemical hero, a substance known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs for short, which is found in many plastic consumer products. Two PBDEs were removed from use in U.S. manufacturing in 2004 because of the health risks they posed. But the products that contain them, as well as their derivative decabromodiphenyl ether, can't be completely eliminated.
Studies have confirmed that PBDEs have adverse effects on learning and memory, as well as lower sperm counts and weakened thyroid function in rats. Other animal studies suggest that PBDEs may cause cancer in humans, but this judgment has not been fully confirmed.
People may ingest the chemicals by breathing the air or eating animal products that contain them. Once they enter the body, they take root in our bodies. These chemicals spread quickly.
For humans, PBDEs can accumulate in a woman's uterus and breast milk and be passed from mother to baby. And the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also found varying levels of PBDEs in almost all subjects. This shows how serious the danger of this substance is.
10. Beauty products containing phthalates
Beware! There's a scary ingredient that may be lurking in your favorite beauty products. Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, can be found in many bottles and jars, including hairspray, shampoo, perfume, deodorant, and even your favorite rubber ducky. In addition to enhancing the durability and malleability of plastic products, phthalates are equally as good at keeping the color and scent of beauty products lasting.
Why worry about this chemical additive? Like the aforementioned BPA, phthalates are hormone-like chemicals that have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems in animals. Because of this finding, parts of the United States have banned phthalates from toddler toys. Phthalates are also no longer allowed in baby pacifiers, rattles and teethers.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to conduct more research on the effects of phthalates until its safety is determined. However, the agency believes that phthalates, in addition to these effects, can lower sperm counts in boys and slow breast development in girls. As for beauty products, the FDA believes that beauty products containing the substance are safe for adults, but further research is needed to determine if there are potential effects on infants and children.