Some of the items which we use daily can cause health hazards. We may watch what we eat, drink and use seat belt to protect us on the road. Yet many health hazards are lurking around us in not-so-obvious places. Here, a few to steer clear of:
Scented candles
A fragrant candle may help you unwind and de-stress. But burning those containing a chemical called limonene, often used for citrus-scented candles, as well as many cleaning products, can produce fumes that are downright unhealthy. Recent research found that households with a high levels of limonene correlated with high levels of formaldehyde, which irritates the eyes and throat and may lead to nose and throat cancers. Limonene reacts with gases in the air to create formaldehyde. What’s more, just burning something is a source of particle pollution. The smallest of these particles can permeate the lungs, kicking up irritation and asthma, and may over time set the stage for cancer. Smoke may also penetrate blood vessel walls leading to heart attack and stroke. Burning the occasional candle is fine, but don’t make it an everyday ritual.
Pizza boxes
The box in which pizza is delivered to you is likely to contain perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs. PFCs are resistant to stains and repel water. The problem is that they are associated with adverse health effects, such as cancer, obesity, thyroid disruption, high cholesterol, and low birth-weight and size. Scientists recently released a statement calling on governments to require more testing of PFCs. Research has already shown that they accumulate in the body and the environment. They contain carbon-fluorine bonds, which are extremely stable and degrade very slowly, if at all, the scientists said.
Toys and everyday products
Toys and everyday products from popular dollar stores can sure save you money. But could the savings come at the expense of your health and that of those who love? The researchers recently tested 164 products purchased at the US dollar store chains for questionable chemicals, including lead, phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC or vinyl). The result are that more than 80 per cent of the products tested contained at least one hazardous chemical above safe levels. Children are most at risk. Phthalates - used in many inks, paints, and other materials - may interfere with the body’s hormone system, causing birth defects, reduced fertility, prostate and testicular cancer, learning disabilities, asthma and allergies, and diabetes. Lead, which is often used in PVC and to produce metal products like jewellery, harms brain development. It’s linked to learning disabilities, lower IQ, and behaviour and attention problems. Present in many plastics, PVC releases harmful chemicals, such as mercury, vinyl chloride, and dioxins. These chemicals are linked to everything from liver damage to cancer.
Anti-bacterial soaps
Anti-bacterial soaps might promise to germ-proof your home or workplace. However, the risks associated with regular, long-term use of these products could outweigh any benefits, especially if the product contains chemical ingredients like triclosan and triclocarban, which can have unwanted hormonal effects. Studies show that triclosan interferes with the body’s regulation of thyroid hormone, which could contribute to infertility, early puberty, obesity, and cancer in humans. And research shows that long-term exposure to the chemical may increase the children’s allergy risk. Another potential problem is that anti-bacterial soaps might contribute to increasing anti-microbial resistance.
