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10 Dangerous Everyday Things in Your Home
BY CRISTEN CONGER
Either by
accident or faulty manufacturing, household consumer products injure an
estimated 33.1 million people in the United States every year [source: Consumer Product
Safety Commission].
These
incidents rack up an astonishing $800 billion in related expenses from death,
injury or property damages [source: Consumer Product
Safety Commission].
The Consumer
Product Safety Commission that regulates and recalls products on the market
emphasizes potential dangers to children in particular for hurting themselves
with toys, furniture or other common items in the home.
However, we
can also pinpoint a number of invisible hazards from products we buy that
aren't as immediately apparent as a broken leg on a coffee table
or a tear in a shirt.
Scientists have
realized that chemicals found in a wide variety of the goods we use every day
may be more toxic than previously thought.
In part
because of the array of chemicals used to manufacture things we use in our
daily lives, the National Poison Data System estimates 4 million cases of
poisoning in the United States each year [source: American
Association of Poison Control Centers].
We cannot
discount that chemicals have made our lives easier. Thanks to them, we easily
keep mosquitoes at
bay, stop moths from
eating our clothing and make our houses instantly smell like a dewy spring
morning.
But the
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency recently concluded that indoor air may be
more polluted than outdoor air [source: EPA].
And since we
spend an average of 90 percent of our time inside, our home sweet home may not
be so safe after all [source: EPA].
Where are
these toxins coming from and what can we do about it? Read on to learn about 10
of the most common products that people are starting to think twice about
bringing into their houses.
10 Mothballs
Mothballs
emit one of the most distinctive and unpleasant household scents.
Since moths will chew holes
through clothing or other textiles, people pack away these stinky repellents to
kill any moths that attempt to.
But as they
convert from a solid to a gas, you do not want to inhale too much of it.
The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency even requires mothball manufacturers
to include a warning on packaging to "avoid breathing in the vapors."
Studies on
one active ingredient in some repellents, paradichlorobenzene,
found that it can cause cancer in
animals [source: EPA].
Although
scientists do not know if it is also a human carcinogen, the animal trials
provided sufficient evidence to urge people to handle them with caution.
Other types
of moth balls use naphthalene, which after prolonged exposure can
damage or destroy red blood cells [source: Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention].
The chemical
can also stimulate nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you must
use mothballs, put them in a sealed container in an area with separate
ventilation from the rest of your house [source: EPA].
Also, wash
any clothing that has been stored with mothballs before wearing it since the
vapors will have absorbed into the fibers.
For a safer,
natural alternative, cedar chips should work as well.
9 Pesticides
According to
the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, 90 percent of households in
the United States use some form of pesticides [source: NPTC].
Pesticide is a
broad term that encompasses a variety of chemical formulas that kill everything
from tiny microorganisms up to rodents.
They could be insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants or other varieties.
Because
these are poisons, the U.S. EPA requires
pesticide manufacturers to include the toxicity level of the product on its
packaging.
Although the
EPA goes to great lengths to test new pesticides before they go on the market,
they should still be used with care and kept out of reach of children.
In 2006, the
American Association of Poison Control Centers received nearly 46,000 calls
regarding children under 5 years old who had been exposed to potentially toxic
levels of pesticides [source: American
Association of Poison Control Centers].
Since a
majority of people's exposure to pesticides happens indoors, be sure to
ventilate any enclosed spaces after applying a pesticide and do not use
unauthorized ones.
If hiring a
professional pest control service, ask them to review with you the chemicals
they will use in your home before they spray.
8 Pressed Wood
Products
If you
catch a couple episodes of "The Brady Bunch," you can see pressed
wood paneling at the height of its splendor.
This faux
wood is like the hotdog of
timber products, taking bits and pieces of logs and whatnot and combining them
together.
Pressed wood
products also include particle board, fiberboard and insulation, which were
particularly popular for home construction in the 1970s.
However, the
glue that holds the wood particles in place can cause a sticky situation for
people. Some products use urea-formaldehyde as a resin, and
the U.S.
EPA estimates that
this is the largest source of formaldehyde emissions
indoors, which can increase as well in hotter, more humid conditions [source: EPA].
Formaldehyde
exposure can be dangerous, possibly setting off watery eyes, burning eyes and
throat, difficulty breathing and asthma attacks.
Scientists
also know that it can cause cancer in
animals, which leaves open a possibility for the same in humans.
Because of
construction materials and smaller spaces, trailers and prefab homes often give
off higher levels of formaldehyde emissions [source: EPA].
The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a preliminary report in
February 2008 detailing this problem in FEMA trailers along
the Gulf Coast occupied by hurricane victims
[source: CDC].
The people
reported an unusual spike in illnesses suspected to have happened from
prolonged formaldehyde exposure. As a result, the agency recommended that the
people move out of the trailers.
If you live
in an older house with pressed wood paneling or insulation, the good news is
that it releases less formaldehyde as it ages [source: EPA].
Using
a dehumidifier and air conditioning to
keep the indoor environment temperate can help.
Today,
pressed wood products also are more closely regulated to reduce formaldehyde
emissions.
7 Chemicals in
Carpet
Indoor
carpeting has recently come under greater scrutiny because of the volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) associated with new carpet installation.
Although the
popular floor covering isn't inherently dangerous, people have reported health
problems associated with it [source: EPA].
The glue and
dyes used with carpeting are known to emit VOCs, which can be harmful to one's
health in high concentrations [source: Consumer Reports].
But often,
the initial VOC emissions will subside after the first few days following
installation [source: Consumer Reports].
Scientists
are still researching what specific chemicals new carpets may release and
whether they are in fact dangerous for the average person [source: EPA].
To alleviate
this, the Carpet and Rug Institute in Dalton, Ga., has developed two Green
Labels that guarantee lower VOCs, and it continues to test indoor air quality
associated with carpets.
To be on the
safe side, you can request your retailer to unroll the carpet and air it out a
couple of days before bringing it in your home [source: EPA].
You should
also keep the newly carpeted area well ventilated during installation to minimize
VOC build up.
6 Laser
Printers Chemicals
A 2007 study
from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia found that some laser printers give
off ultra fine particles that could cause serious health problems [source: He, Morawaska
and Taplin].
Another
study from the National Institute of Public Health also confirmed that laser
and ink-jet printers can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone,
and particulates [source: Kagi et al].
Tests so far
have shown that concentrations of the released particles return to normal
levels after a couple of minutes [source: CBC].
But
depending on the size of the specks and exposure time, they have been linked
with heart and lung disease
[source: Davis].
For that
reason, the biggest implication for this finding is in office settings, where
someone may sit next to a printer. Not every printer will do this.
In the
Queensland study, of the printers tested, researchers found that 40 percent
gave off the ultrafine particles and 27 percent of those sent out high
concentrations of them.
The
emissions also varied with the type of printer, its age and toner cartridge.
In response
to these findings, companies including Xerox and Hewlett-Packard have publicly
denied any health hazards linked to their products.
According to
Xerox's President of Environment Health and Science, the company continually
tests for the health effects of contact with toner particles.
If you're
choosing a new printer, Energy Star recommends
many types that are better for the environment.
Although the
Energy Star Web site does
not stipulate whether it tests for particle emissions, its endorsed brands do
use less electricity.
5 Lead Paint
In 1991,
the U.S. government declared lead to be the greatest environmental threat to
children [source: EPA].
Not a big
surprise considering the nasty effects that lead exposure can have on adults
and children alike.
Even low
concentrations can cause problems with your central nervous system, brain, blood cells
and kidneys [source: EPA].
It's
particularly threatening for fetuses, babies and children, because of potential
developmental disorders.
The hubbub
surrounding lead paint isn't a new one, but still warrants discussion since
many houses built before 1978 contain lead paint [source: EPA].
The intact
paint on a surface won't kill you. Only once the paint begins to peel away will
it release the harmful lead particles that you can inhale.
For that
reason, do not try to remove lead-based paint by sanding, scraping or burning
it because that will liberate the toxic metal. Leave it to a professional
instead.
This is the
same type of paint that set off the widespread
recalls of toys from China in late 2007.
Retailers
feared that children could ingest the paint, possibly contributing to brain
damage [source: Lipton and
Barboza].
Regulated
commercial paints and painted products in the United States today do not
contain lead.
4 Air
Fresheners and Cleaning Solutions
Air fresheners and
cleaning solutions freshen and sanitize our indoor habitats.
However, a study by
the University of California at Berkeley found that when used excessively or in
a small, unventilated area, these products release toxic levels of pollutants.
This comes from two
main chemicals called ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes [source: Science Daily].
While the EPA regards the
ethers as toxic by themselves, the non-toxic terpenes can react with ozone in
the air to form a poisonous combination [source: ScienceDaily].
Air fresheners in
particular are linked to many volatile organic compounds, such as nitrogen
dioxide.
Concentrations of
this chemical are two to five times higher indoors than outdoors, which can
cause cancer in
some animals [source: EPA].
Some fresheners also
contain paradichlorobenzene, the same chemical we discussed earlier
with mothballs.
Cleaning your
bathroom or spritzing air freshener shouldn't make you sick, but you must keep
air circulating through the area as a precaution.
Professional house
cleaners should especially ensure that they aren't breathing harmful levels of
these chemicals on the job [source: ScienceDaily].
3 Baby Bottles
and BPA
Canada
has taken the first steps to outlaw the sale of baby bottles made from polycarbonate plastics, which are the most
common type on the market.
It
has done so because the plastics are made with a chemical called bisphenol-a (BPA).
When heated, these types of baby bottles can release BPA.
What's wrong with a little BPA
mixed in with a baby's formula?
BPA
has a structure very similar to estrogen and for that reason is referred to as
a "hormone disruptor."
As
the name implies, hormone disruptors can interfere with the natural human
hormones, especially for young children.
According
to a joint U.S.-Canada study conducted by a group of environmental health
organizations, BPA in products and inside a woman's body
(from using BPA-containing products) may cause development and neurological
problems for fetuses and infants based on the results of extensive animal
trials [source: The Working Group
for Safe Markets].
In one study by the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of participants had detectable
levels of BPA in their systems [source: CDC].
Of
those, children had the highest concentrations [source: CDC].
Other
common products containing BPA include refillable plastic bottles, compact discs and
some plastic eating utensils [source: CDC].
In 2006, the Whole Foods grocery
chain stopped carrying plastic baby bottles [source: Underwood].
In
response to Canada's removal of polycarbonate plastic baby bottles from the
market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has formed a BPA task force to
study any risks associated with the material.
Based
on the research so far, the agency maintains that the bottles being sold in the
U.S. are safe for use [source: FDA].
2 Flame
Retardants
Commonly
used in mattresses, upholstery, television and computer casings
and circuit boards, flame retardants have likely saved many lives by preventing
unexpected fires in homes across the world.
However,
science has revealed a darker side to these chemical superheroes, called polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs for short, found in a variety of
consumer plastics.
Two
forms of PBDEs were phased out of use in manufacturing in the United States in
2004 because of related health threats [source: CDC].
However,
the products containing them and their cousin deca-PBDE linger on.
Studies have linked PBDEs to
learning and memory problems, lowered sperm counts and poor thyroid functioning
in rats and mice [source: Underwood].
Other
animal studies have indicated that PBDEs could be carcinogenic in humans, but
that has not been confirmed [source: CDC].
People can inhale them through
air and dust or ingest it by eating animal products that contain it [source: Duncan].
And
once these get into our bodies, they set up camp. These chemicals have spread
so extensively that traces of them have also shown up in waterways.
In humans, PBDEs accumulate in females'
wombs and breast milk, passing the chemicals along to
infants [source: Cone].
Likewise,
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has discovered levels of
PBDEs in almost all people tested for it [source: CDC].
Future
CDC studies will focus on the safety of deca-PBDE, which could lead to a
complete phase out of these flame retardants.
1 Cosmetic
Phthalates
Forget
about bat poop in mascara. There's another icky
ingredient that could be floating around in your favorite beauty products.
Phthalates, also called plasticizers,
go into many products dotted around your bathroom and vanity, including hair
spray, shampoos, fragrances, deodorants and even your rubber ducky.
Along
with increasing the durability and flexibility of plastics, phthalates also
bind the color and fragrance in cosmetic products.
Why worry about this chemical
additive? They may demand a higher price for beauty than you wish to pay.
Like
BPA mentioned earlier, these hormone-like chemicals are linked to reproductive
and developmental problems in animals.
Because
of these findings, California and Washington state have banned the use of
phthalates in toys for younger children [source: Underwood].
Nationwide
manufacturers no longer use them in baby pacifiers, rattles or teething rings [source: CDC].
The U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention plans to complete more research on the effects of
phthalates before judging its safety in consumer products.
However,
the agency recognizes a potential for lowered sperm count in boys and
premature breast development in girls,
among other things [source: CDC].
As
for cosmetic products, the Food and Drug Administration maintains that levels
in products are safe for adults but also is studying the potential effects in
infants and children [source: FDA].
About Cristen Conger
Raised on a steady diet of Technicolor musicals and
library books, Cristen Conger always wanted to be a writer when she grew up.
While working toward her journalism degree at the University of Georgia, she
learned to avoid starry-eyed statements about childhood dreams and stick to
hard facts. After graduating, Cristen decided she'd spent enough time chasing
down REM band members in Athens and hitched up the road to Atlanta where she
jumped on board with the award-winning web site HowStuffWorks.com.
As a writer and blogger for HowStuffWorks and a
contributing writer for Discovery
News, Cristen specializes in technology and the science of everyday
living. Her articles have featured on Huffington Post, ABC Science and MSNBC.com. She also co-hosts the popular
Stuff Mom Never Told You podcast, which explores gender issues such as
relationships, careers and women's history. A graduate of University of
Georgia, where she majored in journalism, Cristen reads, writes, runs and dabbles
in improv comedy.
The EPA recently found that indoor air may be
more polluted than outdoor air.
If you want to keep moths from eating your
clothes, try cedar chips instead of mothballs.
Before using professional pest control
services, check what chemicals they use.
Classy pressed wood paneling may emit
formaldehyde.
New carpet can give off volatile organic
compounds the first couple of days after installation.
Beware the sinister laser printer lurking in
the background. It may release ultra-fine particles that can get into your
lungs.
Do not remove lead-based paint yourself -- call
a pro.
Keep bathrooms well-ventilated when cleaning
them.
Canada has banned the sale of polycarbonate
plastic bottles because they can release BPA.
Flame retardants keep your TV from bursting
into flames and also can cause developmental problems in animals.
The FDA is testing whether phthalates in
lotions are harmful to babies.
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