You might not know it, but there are plenty of every day household items that could be contributing to your cancer risk. Are any of these in your home? Probably.
Area rugs and carpets
Carpets are made with chemicals that can cause cancer, such as formaldehyde and acetone. Most carpets also contain flame retardants that are carcinogenic. Plus, that “new carpet smell” actually comes from a type of chemical that’s been connected to eye, nose, and respiratory complications.
The couch
In 1975, California passed a law that required most furniture to be coated in flame retardants. The idea was to prevent furniture fires caused by cigarettes. Once California passed the law, most furniture companies coated all furniture in chemicals, no matter what state it was being shipped to. But later testing found out that those chemicals could actually cause cancer. The chemicals are still used today.
Your shower curtain
In 2008, American scientists requested that all shower curtains containing PVCs, or toxic, cancer-causing chemicals, be banned from store shelves. Although stores no longer sell these curtains, if you had one in your home, it likely leaked chemicals that then entered your body. If you happened to buy shower curtains in bulk to save money in the long run, make sure you don’t still have any in your home.
Leather furniture
About half of all leather furniture contains a carcinogen known as chromium. Plus, the process of dying leather has also been found to cause cancer, making it dangerous to factory workers. Make sure you check the labels to figure out whether or not your furniture is chromium free and avoid buying furniture containing the chemical.
Fluorescent lighting
Those CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs the government recommends actually could cause cancer. The bulbs contain mercury, which is a known carcinogen. Plus, the bulbs also emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation. If the bulb’s protective layer is cracked, dangerous levels of UVA and UVB radiation can escape. This means you could get skin cancer — just from your lights.
Cleaning products
Many household cleaning products are known carcinogens. Although they can sterilize your home, they can also leave you inhaling toxic chemicals and allow those chemicals to build up on your home’s surfaces. But luckily, chemical-free cleaners are available.
Your closet
All that dry cleaning you have can potentially lead to cancer. And when you store that dry cleaning all in one place, such as your closet, the risk is even greater. The process for dry-cleaning clothes is toxic, but most Americans aren’t even aware of the risks. The chemical known as “perc” is used to dissolve stains on clothes. And while it’s good at that, it’s also good at causing cancer.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring contains PVC, which is a known carcinogen. Installing it in your home means exposing your family to the potential dangers of PVC. Also, dioxins, which are carcinogenic toxins, are produced during the vinyl-floor-making process. Although vinyl flooring companies have reduced the exposure to their employees, those with vinyl flooring in their home are still at risk.
The foods in your kitchen
There are several foods that have been classified as carcinogens by the FDA. Grilled red meat, microwave popcorn, and cold cuts are just three popular items that can cause cancer. Carbonated beverages and farmed fish are also on the cancer-causing list. You may be able to cut your cancer risk in half by eliminating carcinogenic foods from your diet.
Styrofoam cups
Styrene is the main ingredient in Styrofoam products. In 2014, it was officially labeled a suspected carcinogen. It’s also found in other every day products like various plastics, your refrigerator, and even carpets in your home. The best way to avoid styrene is to simply stop purchasing Styrofoam products. Paper plates and cups are a safer alternative.
Your bookshelf books
Ethylene oxide is a chemical used to sterilize and fumigate old books. When you bring these books into your home, you risk exposing your family to cancerous chemicals. Ethylene oxide is also used to sterilize medical equipment and food manufacturing supplies. It poses the biggest risk to those who actually use it, but it can linger on products like antique books.
Your bug spray
For years, pesticides have been shown to have cancer-causing properties. Bug spray is no exception. But the biggest risk is when the spray is used indoors. Outside, people are less likely to directly breathe in those chemicals. But inside, the residue is not only breathed in but can also linger on surfaces in the house. Always apply insect repellent outdoors to lower the risk of developing leukemia or lymphoma.
Your granite countertops
Radon, a gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer, can be emitted from granite counters, which has lead researchers to question whether or not they should be allowed in homes. Only a small fraction of countertops tested have radon levels that are higher than what is deemed “safe,” according to WebMD. But if you’re looking to eliminate your risk, go with quartz counters instead.
Your insulation
According to the National Toxicology Program, there is sufficient evidence that glass wool fibers found in insulation can cause cancer. Testing has been done on laboratory animals to conclude the findings. But sufficient testing has not been done in humans. Those who are the most at risk for contracting cancer through insulation are the home improvement workers who install it.
Your weed killer
The World Health Organization has determined that glysophate, a chemical commonly found in weed killer, is likely carcinogenic to humans. Experiments in rodents showed that too much glysophate exposure caused tumors. However, some studies have shown to be controversial about whether or not the weed killer can actually cause cancer. For now, it is still under investigation.
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