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10 Potentially Harmful Chemicals Used at Home
Written by Tenley Haraldson. Reviewed by Sean Busch.
Whether you're tackling DIY projects or doing a top-to-bottom clean, you're undoubtedly using an array of chemicals in the home.
While many of the substances contained in these products are approved for consumer use by government agencies (like the FDA and EPA) that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to risk exposure.
So what is lurking in cabinets and under sinks?
1. Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two widely-used perfluorinated chemicals that are often used in coatings to resist grease, oil, water, and stains.
What Products Contain PFOA and PFOS?
Waterproof, stain-resistant, and even nonstick items around your home use PFAS, like baking pans, stain-resistant carpeting, and waterproof clothing. You can even find PFAS in shampoo, body wash, and makeup!
How to Avoid PFOA & PFOS
Until more research is done, it’s wise to avoid PFOAs whenever possible. Opt for dishes, pans, and pots made out of cast iron, copper, ceramic, stainless steel, and glass.
Another way to reduce PFOA exposure? Filtering your water with a water pitcher investing in a reverse osmosis water filtration system that continuously monitors your water quality.
2. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a highly-flammable, colorless chemical used in a wide range of household products. It can be absorbed via inhalation, topical contact, or even ingestion of foods and drinks that contain it.
Note: Even if formaldehyde isn't an ingredient, chemical reactions in a variety of products can create formaldehyde releasers.
Side Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure
Workers regularly exposed to formaldehyde cleaning products showed a clear link between exposure and a host of health problems including:
- Asthma
- Eye, nose, & upper respiratory irritation
- Nerve palsy
- Cancers including leukemia
- Decreased white blood cell count
In 2011, the US government officially classified formaldehyde as a carcinogen.
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How to Reduce Formaldehyde Exposure
When used as an antibacterial agent and preservative, formaldehyde can be found in nail polishes, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, and body lotions. Choose natural personal care brands that utilize plant-based ingredients that extend shelf lives (like propanediol).
Formaldehyde is often used to make construction materials like cabinets, furniture, and paneling. Choose wood products that are CARB-compliant (either phase 1 or 2), or made with ULEF (ultra-low-emitting-formaldehyde) or NAF (no-added-formaldehyde).
If exposure is unavoidable, increase ventilation by opening windows and running fans. Humidifiers and air conditioning units should also be used to reduce humidity and maintain cooler temps, as heat increases emissions from formaldehyde-containing materials.
3. Parabens
Parabens are cheap, effective preservative agents in various personal care items. They help prevent the growth of mold and other organisms and extend shelf lives.
Where to Find Parabens
Parabens are used in a wide variety of products, including:
- Hair care products
- Makeup
- Lotions
- Moisturizers
- Shaving creams
- Skin cleansers
- Preserved foods
- Medications
Paraben Safety
Recent research has found potential links between paraben exposure and multiple health concerns:
- Male rats exposed to high levels showed reproductive complications.
- Pregnant women increased their chance of giving birth to female infants with a higher body mass index.
- There is a potential connection between parabens and breast tissue tumors. At the time of publication, however, there were no definitive links between the two.
How to Select Paraben-Free Products
Avoiding parabens doesn’t have to mean buying products with shorter shelf lives. Puracy chooses only to use paraben free cleaners which contain plant-based preservatives like:
- caprylyl glycol: a coconut-based preservative
- gluconolactone: a food-grade preservative
4. Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce different types of resins/plastics that can be found in medical devices, can lining, and plastic food and drink containers.
Since BPA in plastics can leach into the food and liquids, they can then be ingested by humans. This is especially true when these products are heated. Research also shows a link between exposure and endocrine disorders, infertility, and certain types of cancers.
How to Find BPA-Free Plastic
There are plenty of BPA-free alternatives that are easy to find. Avoid “recycle number” 7 items which may contain bisphenol A. Instead, opt for safer plastics numbered 1, 2, 4 or 5. If you’re unsure, avoid plastics when possible and instead opt for reusable items made from glass, stainless steel, and wood.
5. Phthalates
Phthalates are synthetic chemicals primarily used to make plastics more flexible and tougher to break. Phthalates are also used as dissolving agents for other chemicals, especially in synthetic fragrances.
A lot is still unknown about how phthalates affect the human body. Certain phthalates, however, have been linked to altered hormone levels and birth defects in rodents.
Which Products Use Phthalates?
Phthalates are used in hundreds of different consumer goods including:
- Cosmetics and personal care products (like soaps, lotions, & shampoos)
- Household cleaners
- Food wraps, cups, & containers
- Children’s toys
- Medical devices
- Vinyl wall and floor coverings
Phthalate Free Products: How to Find Them
Phthalate Free Products: How to Find Them
Look for the following acronyms that identity their chemical structure:
- DBP: dibutyl phthalate
- DEP: diethyl phthalate
- DMP: dimethyl phthalate
However, manufacturers aren’t required to disclose ingredients in a product’s “fragrance." Purchase products from companies with transparent ingredient lists, look for “phthalate-free” labels, and use this handy chart to identify safe plastics by number:
6. Dimethicone
Dimethicone is a man-made silicone that improves spreadability, adds moisture without heaviness, and gives products that “soft-to-the-touch” feeling.
While dimethicone isn't unsafe for topical use – and it’s FDA-approved in certain concentrations – it isn't biodegradeable. The National Center for Biotechnology recommends reducing the use of dimethicone and other low molecular weight silicones.
Dimethicone Alternatives
Look for products that nourish and smooth with biodegradable ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, and aloe vera. When reformulating our Natural Shampoo, we reached for LexFeel N5, a 100% biodegradable, plant-based ingredient that enhances hair texture and shine.
7. Synthetic Pesticides
Pesticides kill or repel unwanted organisms that are considered to be harmful to cultivated animals and/or plants. In some cases, organic, naturally-derived substances work just as well to remove fungus, insects, and rodents. However, when those aren’t effective, synthetic chemical pesticides may be introduced.
The most common types of synthetic pesticides include:
- Carbamates: made from carbamic acid
- Organochlorines: contain chlorinated aromatic molecules
- Organophosphates: produced by the reaction of alcohols and phosphoric acid
- Pyrethroids: manmade pesticides that mimic botanical pyrethrins derived from flowers
Are Synthetic Pesticides Harmful?
Toxicity to humans depends on the specific synthetic pesticides used and the exposure level. However, certain common pesticides have been linked to serious, chronic health problems including:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Birth defects in pregnant women
- Leukemia (and other cancers)
- Parkinson’s Disease
