We use home care products to ensure our family is safe from dirt and disease-causing germs,
but are these cleaners and sprays really safe to use?
Nowadays, the need for disinfectants, cleaners, and air purifiers in every household is stronger than ever and consumers are likely to purchase branded products seen in advertisements.
After all, products used by most people are probably good for you too, right? Well, a wise consumer would think otherwise.
Home care products are part of our everyday lives because we need their cleaning and disinfecting properties. However, there are chemicals in these items that are more toxic than others, causing health problems such as allergic reactions, chronic respiratory infections, and cancer.
Hence, there is a call for a more careful assessment in choosing which products to use in your homes.
If you already know how to read the labels of your daily essentials, you are on the right track in protecting your family from potential health hazards.
Here are EIGHT TOXIC CHEMICALS found in common household items to help you spot and avoid them.
1. Parabens
Found in: Dishwashing detergents, Hand and body soaps, Beauty and haircare products
If you check the label of your homecare products, you can easily identify parabens as:
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Ethylparaben
Butylparaben
Isopropylparaben
Isobutylparaben
Parabens are used as preservatives in household cleaning essentials and personal care. They are usually found in water-based items to prevent bacterial and mold growth.
However, parabens have been linked to health problems, especially since they can easily find a way into your body—through the skin.
They can cause hormonal disruptions by mimicking the hormone estrogen, potentially causing the growth of cancer tissues. They also trigger irritation and allergic reactions, especially on sensitive skin.
2. Phthalates
Found in: Air fresheners, Aerosol sprays, Laundry soaps, Fabric softeners, Surface cleaners, Disinfectants, Perfumes
If you have household products with synthetic fragrances, there is a huge chance you are exposed to phthalates. The next time you take a whiff of a home care product, think twice because these compounds can enter the body through inhalation and skin absorption.
They are commonly found in fragrant cleaning products to make the scent linger.
Phthalates are listed in product labels as:
di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)
diethyl phthalate (DEP)
di-isononyl phthalate (DINP)
Companies bluntly indicate this by writing “Fragrance” on the label, which surprisingly attracts consumers because although these items can make a room or surface smell good, they are not beneficial to your health.
Phthalates are linked to developmental and reproductive problems such as infertility, hormone imbalances, and birth malformation.
3. Synthetic Fragrances
Found in: Air fresheners, Floor and surface cleaners, Laundry detergents, Fabric softeners, Personal care products, Perfumes
It is rare to find a commercial household product without fragrance.
Most home care products are sold in a variety of scents that cater to every consumer’s preference. However, there is no guarantee that these items are safe for everyday use, particularly those with synthetic fragrances.
Chemical compounds found in synthetic fragrances are phthalates, petroleum, and carcinogens benzophenone and styrene— substances that promote cancer formation.
Products with synthetic fragrances often require the use of gloves or masks to prevent skin and respiratory irritations.
If a product is meant to make a room smell good but it requires you to cover your nose, it is an obvious red flag.
Those with "fragrance" or "perfume" on the label indicate synthetic fragrance content.
4. Triclosan
Found in: Dishwashing soaps, Hand soaps, Shower gels, Toothpaste, Antibacterial sanitizers, Disinfectants
Most commercial cleaning products in grocery stores are purchased for their antimicrobial property.
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent that makes these products effective.
While it is beneficial for families to have antimicrobial products in their homes, studies show that those containing Triclosan cause spontaneous abortion rates, birth disorders, and hormonal imbalances, as well as skin allergies and asthma.
In 2016, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Triclosan and other harmful antimicrobial compounds in soaps because manufacturers failed to prove that they were safe for consumer use.
5. Synthetic Dyes
Found in: Liquid soaps, Laundry detergents, Fabric softeners, Surface cleaners
Brightly colored cleaning products are eye-appealing because of synthetic dyes. You might think these colors are harmless, but you should give them a second thought when purchasing products with colorants.
Synthetic dyes are seldom labeled individually, but they may appear in the ingredients list like this:
Yellow 6
Red 33
Dye
Colorant
The only purpose that synthetic colorants serve is purely aesthetic, however, they are known as toxins and irritants that cause cancer, asthma, and lung disorders.
6. Ammonia/ Ammonia Water
Found in: Multi-surface cleaners, Furniture and floor polish, Bathroom and toilet cleaners
Ammonia is a strongly scented liquid found in cleaning products for stain treatment and disinfection.
You can spot Ammonia in the ingredients list as:
NH3
Ammonium Hydroxide
Ammonia is also an ingredient for polishing agents and glass cleaners that leave surfaces shiny, but the moment it dries and evaporates into the air, users are at risk of intoxication when inhaled.
This chemical is highly corrosive and irritating when it comes in contact with skin and eyes.
At higher concentrations, prolonged exposure to ammonia may cause burning of the skin, blindness, and permanent eye damage.
7. Bleach
Found in: Toilet bowl cleaners, Laundry Whiteners, Hair products, Cosmetics, Whitening Soaps
Bleach is a strong cleaning and whitening agent widely used as part of sanitation maintenance in homes and industries.
While it is effective in killing pathogens on dirty surfaces, bleach requires gloves and masks when used because it contains sodium hypochlorite— an active ingredient in chlorine bleach liquids that harms consumers through inhalation, direct skin contact, and fumes that reach the eyes.
It is also known to cause bleach burns, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin irritation, and dryness when used without caution.
8. Formaldehyde
Found in: Air fresheners, Dishwashing liquids, Fabric softeners, Nail polish removers
If you think formaldehyde exposure is limited to people working in funeral homes and laboratories, it isn’t always the case. Formaldehyde is also found in household items, posing health hazards to homeowners in a form of vapor.
Formaldehyde can be listed on a product label by other names, such as:
Formalin
Formic aldehyde
Methanediol
Methanal
Methyl aldehyde
Methylene glycol
Methylene oxide
Formaldehyde is known as a pungent-smelling gas that is reported as a carcinogen.
According to the National Institute of Cancer, overexposure to this chemical has been linked to asthma, myeloid leukemia, and cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx.
It can also affect the nervous system by causing headaches, depression, mood changes, insomnia, and irritability.
Among families, younger kids are at a higher risk of long-term exposure.
These are just some of the toxic household chemicals found in your home care essentials. We hope we helped you spot them in the ingredients list as they are often listed in words you can barely pronounce.
As a consumer, you need to be critical and meticulous in choosing your home care products because, in the end, you and your family might suffer the health consequences.
Always check the label of your household items for potential chemical hazards to keep your family safe and healthy.
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