Want to know what are the worst household toxins and how to reduce the toxic load of your home? Continue reading and find out.
How nice it would be to live in a toxic-free home… Unfortunately, most households today are loaded with toxins from construction materials, paints, varnishes, furniture, carpets, and even cleaning products and air fresheners. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives to household toxins that we’re about to show to you. Let’s get straight to the most terrifying household toxins, where they are, and how to reduce them.
In This Article You Will Find:
9 Most Dangerous Household Toxins & How to Reduce Them
9. Acrylates
(methyl-, ethyl-, n-butyl-, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate/methacrylate, etc)
Acrylates are derived from petroleum and are found in wall paints, artificial nail products, nail and eyelash adhesives, insulating materials, water-dilutable varnishes, resins, plastics, rubber, and denture material, etc. Acrylates irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, affect the function of the lungs, and can cause allergic irritations on the skin. Acrylates are also known carcinogens, making them some of the worst household toxins. As an alternative for treating wooden surfaces, use natural wax and plant oils (linseed oil, olive oil) that do not contain acrylates and avoid all synthetic nail products and nail salons.
8. Solvents / VOCs
(ethanol, methanol, acetone, benzene, carbon disulphide, carbon tetrachloride tetrachloroethylene, toluene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, etc)
Among these highly volatile chemicals are alcohols, hydrocarbons, and organic acids. Solvents are found almost everywhere in the household, and some of the most common sources of solvents are:
- cleaning and degreasing materials;
- paint removers;
- paints, lacquers and varnishes;
- adhesives;
- inks and ink removers;
- pesticides;
- furniture;
- linoleums;
- colored pencils;
- toiletries.
Getting exposed to solvents through inhalation can cause headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances and neurotoxic symptoms. In addition, solvents dry the mucous membranes and in large exposure, they have a narcotic effect, making them one of the worst household toxins. To establish the source of your solvent exposure in your home, contact construction specialists, who can establish the sources and eliminate them.
7. Glycols
(ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, etc)
Glycols are colorless alcohols, with a sweet smell and are easily flammable, mainly used to stabilize water-based paints. They are used in automobile industy as well as heating and cooling systems etc. The main sources of glycol exposure are:
- water-soluble varnishes and enamels and paints
- antifreeze
- cooling systems
- de-icing agents
- brake fluids
- motor oils
- pesticides
- pharmaceutical products
- resin production
- flowback water
- wood stains
- inks (even printer cartridges)
- cleaning products
- linoleum glues
- cosmetics (shampoos, lotions, and deodorants.)
- cough syrups
Glycols are also found in very many highly-processed food products (as propylene glycol), and are some of the worst household toxins. It serves as a humectant, stabilizer, and thickening agent in food and drug formulations. Glycols irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes, and cause concentration problems; some glycols, can even affect the bone marrow and gravely affect the kidneys. As an alternative, use lacquers that do not contain glycols and avoid food products and drugs containing propylene glycol and diethylene glycol.
6. Isocyanates
(methyl isocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, methylene diphenylmethane diisocyanate, etc)
Isocyanates are toxic substances commonly used in the production of polyurethane foams, rigid foams, elastomers, and other polyurethane materials, synthetic rubbers, coatings (including paints and varnishes), adhesives and sealants. Isocyanates are often found in:
- polyurethane foams
- mounting foams
- mattresses
- upholstery
- insulation materials
- adhesives and sealants
- polyurethane-based paints or coatings
- top varnishes
- chipboards
- glues
They strongly irritate the skin, and in high concentration can even modify the cell membrane, and can lead to allergies and asthma, and even lung cancer, making them one of the worst household toxins. Avoid polyurethane foams as well as polyurethane-free varnishing, replace glues with white clay, and use hemp, or jute for isolation or even mattress covers.
5. Phthalates / DHEA
(diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate)
Phthalates make synthetic materials softer and more flexible. Their most important “representative” is DHEA. Phthalates are commonly found in:
- PVC floors (vinyl flooring)
- PVC pipes and building materials
- plastic children’s toys
- fragrances and perfumes
- nail polishes
- foundations and powders
- personal-care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays) – SVOCs.
- certain textile materials (raincoats)
- intravenous tubing and certain types of medical equipment
- plastic food containers and packaging materials made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
- plastic food wraps
- air fresheners
- cleaning products
- colored pencils
They are known to negatively impact hormones and fertility and are dangerous for embryos. Replace plastic or rubber toys with hemp, cotton, linen, wool, or PLA toys, replace synthetic carpets with wool, linen, jute, or hemp carpets, opt for solid wood flooring, and avoid conventional skin and hair care products. Phthalates are some of the worst household toxins.
4. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is the key ingredient in many complex synthetic materials and is colorless, and has a pungent smell in a gas state. There are so many sources of formaldehyde in a household, making it one of the most common household toxins. The most common sources of formaldehyde are:
- particleboard and plywood made with urea-formaldehyde resins
- plywood, fiberboard, and pressed wood products
- plywood adhesives
- foam insulations and fiberglass products
- tableware, kitchenware, and laminates
- textiles and clothing items treated with formaldehyde-based resins
- cosmetics (nail polishes, hair straightening products, lotions etc)
- disinfectant cleaning products
- fungicides
- germicides
- cigarette smoke
- exhaust pipes
- some fermented foods
- pharmaceuticals
Formaldehyde irritates the skin, can cause allergies and headaches, and is a known carcinogenic, making it one of the worst household toxins. It acts similarly to alcohol on the liver, only much more extreme, and is also a viral fuel. Replace the agglomerated boards with plasterboard as a construction material. Solid wood contains minimal amounts of formaldehyde and can be used without problems instead of presswood furniture.
3. Fragrances
Chemical fragrance products such as air fresheners, scented candles, cleaning products, perfumes, and colognes, are popular in most households today, but few people know they are some of the most dangerous household toxins. The most common sources of synthetic fragrances are:
- personal care products (perfumes, colognes, deodorants, antiperspirants)
- cosmetic products
- hair care products
- cleaning products
- candles and air fresheners
- laundry detergents and fabric softeners
- baby lotions and shampoos
- pet grooming products
Research and science are unaware that the substances in chemical fragrances can be highly toxic and have the potential to negatively affect your lungs, liver, immune system, and nervous system. Can trigger symptoms such as migraines, burning skin, tightness in the chest, and anxiety. Chemical fragrances are some of the most toxic household products and most people are not even aware of this. Swipe them for 100% natural essential oils that you can use to make natural air fresheners, perfumes, and cleaning products.
2. DDT
(Anofex, Cezarex, Chlorophenothane, Dicophane, Dinocide, Gesarol, Guesapon, Guesarol, Gyron, Ixodex, Neocid, Neocidol, Zerdane etc.)
The most dangerous pesticide ever used in the history of mankind is DDT, which, although not used today, is found almost everywhere in nature, and is one of the worst household toxins. Once upon a time, DDT was marketed as a miracle solution, and used for indoor residual spraying to control disease-carrying mosquitoes, particularly in malaria-endemic regions. While its use for this purpose has been largely phased out, historical applications may contribute to indoor contamination.
DDT is still found in soil, water, and air, where is still lingers almost 80 years after the first use.
While it is banned in many countries, DDT is still used in many places around the world, which means the danger is still present. It is still found in the food chain, especially in meat, fish, and dairy products, and even worse, is passed from mother to baby through the placenta. Yes, you inherit DDT from your parents. This also means that mysterious genetic problems can be caused by a high toxic load and not genes.
1. Insecticides, Pesticides & Fungicides
(Chlorpyrifos, Bifenthrin, Malathion, Imidacloprid, Cyfluthrin, Methoxychlor, Acetamiprid, Cypermethrin, Carbaryl, etc)
These highly toxic substances attach very well to all materials and surfaces and over time, look like dust. They are not only found in nature but also in most households, and are some of the worst household toxins actually. Insecticides, pesticides & fungicides are found in woolen carpets and clothes, and mattresses treated with fungicides and insecticides against moths, but also in insecticidal paper or mosquito-repellent tablets.
They are the major underlying cause of suppressed immune systems and can be the cause of diabetes, enlarging spleens and hearts, poor digestion, migraines, chronic depression, skin disorders, and hormonal problems. Do not use insecticides in or around your house (garden) and avoid synthetic carpets, instead use carpets made of pure wool or linen (treat them regularly with water mixed with vinegar to protect against insects). Wash the new clothes before the first wear (avoid buying clothes too often).
Read Also: 5 Natural Insecticide & Pesticide Recipes to Make at Home
Other household toxins one should avoid are fluoride, chlorine, larvicides, chemical fertilizers, smoke of any kind, and other pesticides. The simple rule is: does it come from nature? If not, best avoid it, as toxins accumulate and add up. While the liver and immune system fight this toxic load and try to flush it out, more toxins come in, so your body is in dire need of a break. Stay safe.
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