If you are like me, sometimes you just take things for granted. I’ve been using air fresheners for years without ever really stopping to think about what chemicals – chemicals that may be harming my family – are in them. I mindlessly put on makeup without checking the label and have used non-stick cookware for years.
But, as I get older, I get wiser and start looking more closely at things. I ditched the non-stick cookware and started reading labels more clearly. Here are some more household items with toxins that you may want to reconsider using:
Things that are Flame-retardant
Yes, on a glance, it seems like a good idea because after all, a house fire is bad. But, look closer and you’ll see that many things around your house – carpets and padding, electronics, and furniture – have flame-retardant chemicals that may be bad for your health. They have been known to disrupt hormones and cause thyroid problems (which many of the toxins I’ve written about do!) and may cause learning disabilities. And, if they do actually burn, they release more of these chemicals into the air.
If you have furniture and don’t know if it is been treated with flame retardant chemicals, check the label. If it say saying it complies with California Technical Bulletin 117, it has. California requires all upholstered furniture sold in the state to be coated with the chemicals, therefore most manufacturers comply with this law.
Since you can’t do anything about that, make sure you have a good vacuum since these flame retardant chemicals can release themselves into the air.
Dry Cleaning
Every notice the pretty yellow, red, and blue signs on a dry cleaner’s? Those are there to notify firemen on the chemicals in that building and the dangers it may pose to them. One of those chemicals is perchloroethylene, also known as PCE. It has been identified as a possible carcinogen, meaning it may cause cancer. It may also cause liver and kidney damage.
Personally, I just avoid dry clean only items. It saves me time, money, and exposure to chemicals.