Creating a healthy home environment is rather difficult when you’re not even aware of all the hidden dangers lurking around. Unfortunately, harmful chemicals can be found in the products you use on a daily basis, and the average home actually hides numerous toxins that have been linked to cancer.
Prolonged exposure to these carcinogens may increase your risk of developing cancer or some other chronic disease. Although you cannot completely eliminate all the toxins from your environment, you can ensure that none of them are hiding in your home.
And the first step is learning about cancer-causing chemicals that you’re likely to find in your safe haven.
1. Scented Products
We all enjoy lighting a scented candle or an incense stick to fill our homes with a pleasant, relaxing fragrance every now and then. Unfortunately, these sweet, aromatic products are actually based on a toxic chemical known as phthalates.
This chemical can be found in numerous scented products, including candles, air fresheners and even scented soaps. Research has shown that these products release carcinogens that can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
Unfortunately, companies that produce scented products aren’t obliged to list “phthalates” on the label. However, if you notice that a product contains “parfum” or “fragrance”, it’s highly likely that it contains phthalates, as well.
Therefore, it’s advisable that you switch to products based on natural ingredients that contain no additional fragrances. For instance, you can use beeswax candles that are completely organic and have a sweet aroma.
2. Chlorine
Chlorine bleach is a common disinfectant that can be found in mould removers, laundry whiteners, toilet cleaners, etc. Chlorine is even added to drinking water to kill bacteria and germs in countries across the globe.
Small amounts of chlorine can help prevent the spread of diseases through water. However, it seems that people are consuming unsafe amounts of chlorine, which may increase their risk of developing cancer.
Chlorinated water can actually trigger the release of carcinogenic free radicals in the body when mixed with organic compounds that are frequently found in water.
Luckily, you can easily replace chlorine bleach with white vinegar or baking soda. As for drinking water, consider installing a water purifying system in your home.
3. Asbestos
If you live in a home that was built before 1980s, it’s highly likely that there’s asbestos lurking around. This hazard was once used as a building material because of its high durability.
Eventually, it was proven that asbestos is a major health hazard that can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Fortunately, asbestos becomes dangerous only after it has been disturbed and released into the air, which can be caused by a home renovation, certain damage or air movement.
If you believe that there’s asbestos in your home, under no circumstances should you remove it on your own. Instead, you should contact qualified asbestos air monitoring professionals who can perform a thorough inspection.
After sending samples to a special laboratory for analysis, these experts can remove it safely from your home.
4. Lead
Lead is another hazard that you can find in colorants and old paint. In addition, old homes may also have lead pipes. Although this substance isn’t that widely used, you should still be careful when buying painted products or products coated with a colorant.
Children are particularly vulnerable to lead because it can affect their development and cause disorders and learning disabilities.
5. Pesticides & Herbicides
Since pesticides and herbicides are used to kill bugs and weeds, it’s obvious that they can be extremely harmful to your health, too. Herbicides and pesticides contain numerous toxic chemicals, including a carcinogen known as glyphosate.
Instead of maintaining your garden using these hazardous products, you should switch to natural alternatives. You can even pull out weeds by hand or pour boiling water over them.
If you want to repel bugs, you can plant chrysanthemum flowers that deter fleas, ants, mosquitos, spiders and ticks naturally. If you need to get rid of cockroaches and ants, you can spread boric acid around the cracks and the foundation of your home.
6. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is another carcinogen on the list that can be found in a range of different products, such as food, cosmetics, cleaning products, insulation, paint, etc. The problem about this carcinogen is that it’s not listed as an ingredient on a product label.
Instead, certain preservatives are added that release formaldehyde after a series of chemical reactions. That’s why these preservatives are known as formaldehyde-releasers.
When buying different products, including body care products, makeup, hand washes, body soap, etc., you should keep your eyes open for some of the following ingredients: Bronopol, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, hydroxymethylglycinate, etc.
Prolonged exposure to these carcinogens and the continuous use of the products that contain them can seriously endanger your health. Therefore, it’s advisable that you eliminate them from your home and switch to healthy, natural-based alternatives.
You can find much more information on living a holistic lifestyle in these free magazines and on our YouTube channel.
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
