TOXIC PRODUCTS USED DAILY

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​Toxic products are items made or coated with chemicals known to affect our bodies, and through their use, you may develop lifelong health problems.  

TOXIC PRODUCTS USED DAILY
By Pierre Mouchette | Real Property Experts LLC

Are you aware of the toxic products that you use daily?  The obvious answer is NO, or you would not use them.  This Life Knowledge Article will make you aware; the rest is up to you!
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What Are Toxic Products?
Toxic products are items made or coated with chemicals known to affect our bodies, and through their use, you may develop lifelong health problems.  The following are products that you should be aware of because you are exposed to them daily, and they contain toxic chemicals:

• Air Fresheners - using an air freshener regularly can cause harmful pollutants to build up in the air.  To prevent this, ensure your homes are well ventilated, especially when using an air freshener.
• Antiperspirant - may prevent you from perspiring, but the aluminum in it can negatively affect the human body.  Medical experts are questioning the link between aluminum exposure and breast cancer.  Still, more research is required for a definitive answer.  Are you a test subject?
• Baby Care Products - baby toys, furniture, and strollers contain flame retardants, bromine, and chlorine.  These chemicals can leak out when the items they contain are used daily.  Bromine and chlorine have been linked to neurological and sexual disorders.
• Bug Sprays - a product designed to kill living organisms with chemicals.  Scientists have linked insecticides to neurological impairment and damage in children exposed to them.
• Canned Food - bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in some plastics and resins, has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and male infertility.  This chemical is found in most canned foods.  Although some manufacturers are phasing BPA out of their cans, alternative ‘chemicals’ have not yet been studied to determine their potentially harmful effects.
• Cleaning Products - most cleaning products contain a mixture of toxic chemicals harmful to human health.  Two natural alternatives include baking soda with water and hot water with lemon.
• Corn and Soybeans - most corn and soybean plants are now genetically engineered to grow even when sprayed with the toxic chemicals in weed killer.
• Cosmetics - like perfume, cosmetics are full of potentially harmful chemicals.  Makeup that is mineral based or made from natural oils significantly reduces your exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Computers and Laptops - cadmium, chromium, lead, beryllium, and mercury are all found in computers.  According to Greenpeace, some of these chemicals have been found in human breast milk, polar bears, and even whales, demonstrating the need for proper computer disposal.
• Dry Cleaned Clothes - dry cleaners usually use perchloroethylene to provide the best results for their customers.  However, this chemical has been linked to humans' central nervous system, kidney, and liver damage.
• Fabric Softener - works by coating clothing with a layer of chemicals designed to soften the feel of the fabric against the skin.  The chemicals in fabric softeners can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and migraines.
• Mattresses - many mattresses have high levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a chemical linked to neurological damage, decreased sperm count, and thyroid problems.
• Non-Stick Cookware - at high temperatures, non-stick cookware can emit a toxic gas that is harmful to humans.  Polytetrafluoroethylene is the chemical that creates the non-stick coating and the toxic gas.  To avoid exposure to this chemical, use stainless steel or iron cookware.
• Perfumes - may contain some or all the following chemicals: acetone, benzaldehyde, camphor, ethyl acetate, linalool, and methylene chloride.  These substances can have negative short and long-term health consequences.
• Plastic Drink Bottles - have the potential to leak harmful chemicals, known as bisphenol A (BPA), into drinks.  Although most plastic drink bottles are now BPA-free, drinking from a glass or stainless-steel bottle may still be safer.
• Plastic Food Containers - because plastic breaks down over time, toxins can leak into food that is in the plastic.  These containers usually contain phthalates, which are known to affect hormones in the body adversely.
• Shower Curtains - contain phthalates, which have been associated with learning and memory difficulties in children.  This toxic chemical is used to soften the plastic in shower curtains.
• Television and Gaming Consoles - contain bromine, phthalates, and other toxic chemicals that can disrupt human hormone function.  These devices also contain flame retardants linked to impaired brain development.