10 Everyday Household Hazards You Should Know About

Key Insights

Each year, household consumer products cause injuries to an estimated 33.1 million people in the United States [source: Consumer Product Safety Commission]. These accidents result in a staggering $800 billion in expenses related to death, injury, and property damage [source: Consumer Product Safety Commission]. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which regulates and recalls products, highlights the risks to children in particular, who are at danger from toys, furniture, and other common household items.

While visible dangers like a broken leg on a coffee table or a tear in a shirt are easy to spot, there are hidden hazards in everyday products that often go unnoticed. Scientists have discovered that the chemicals in many of the products we use daily might be more harmful than previously believed. Due to the wide range of chemicals in these items, the National Poison Data System estimates that there are 4 million poisoning cases in the United States annually [source: American Association of Poison Control Centers].

It's undeniable that chemicals have made life more convenient. They've helped us repel mosquitoes, prevent moths from damaging clothes, and fill our homes with the scent of a fresh spring morning. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently reported that indoor air could be more polluted than outdoor air [source: EPA]. Considering that we spend about 90% of our time indoors, it turns out our cozy homes might not be as safe as we think [source: EPA].

So, where exactly are these toxins coming from, and how can we protect ourselves? Keep reading to discover 10 common household products that many people are now reconsidering bringing into their homes.

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10. Cedar Chips vs. Mothballs

Mothballs are notorious for their strong and unpleasant odor. These repellents are used to prevent moths from destroying fabrics, but as they turn from solid to gas, they release fumes that should not be inhaled. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency even mandates that mothball packaging carry a warning to "avoid inhaling the vapors."

Research on one of the main ingredients in moth repellents, paradichlorobenzene, has shown that it can cause cancer in animals [source: EPA]. While scientists are still uncertain whether it is a carcinogen for humans, animal studies have provided enough evidence to recommend handling it with care. Other mothballs contain naphthalene, which can damage or destroy red blood cells with prolonged exposure [source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. The chemical can also cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you must use mothballs, place them in a sealed container with separate ventilation from the rest of the house [source: EPA]. Always wash any clothes stored with mothballs before wearing them, as the vapors can linger in the fabric. For a safer, natural alternative, cedar chips should do the job just as effectively.

9. Pesticides and Their Risks

According to the National Pesticide Telecommunications Network, approximately 90 percent of U.S. households use some form of pesticide [source: NPTC]. The term pesticide refers to a range of chemical compounds designed to eliminate everything from microscopic organisms to rodents. These may include insecticides, fungicides, disinfectants, or other types. Given that pesticides are poisons, the U.S. EPA requires manufacturers to list the product's toxicity level on the label.

Although the EPA rigorously tests new pesticides before they reach the market, caution is still essential when using them, especially around children. In 2006, the American Association of Poison Control Centers recorded almost 46,000 calls regarding pesticide exposure among children under 5 years old [source: American Association of Poison Control Centers].

Since most pesticide exposure occurs indoors, ensure that you ventilate any treated areas well after applying pesticides, and never use unauthorized products. If you hire a pest control service, be sure to ask about the chemicals they plan to use and discuss them with you before they begin spraying your home.

8. Pressed Wood Products

If you take a trip back in time by watching a few episodes of 'The Brady Bunch,' you'll find pressed wood paneling as a prime example of retro home décor. This synthetic wood is akin to the hotdog of lumber products, utilizing fragments and remnants of logs to form a cohesive material. Pressed wood items include particle board, fiberboard, and insulation, all of which were favored during the 1970s home construction boom.

However, the adhesive used to bond these wood particles together can create an issue for your indoor air quality. Some pressed wood products rely on urea-formaldehyde as a resin, which the U.S. EPA identifies as the leading source of indoor formaldehyde emissions. This problem is even more pronounced in hot, humid environments [source: EPA].

Formaldehyde exposure can pose health risks, triggering symptoms such as watery eyes, sore throat, breathing difficulties, and asthma flare-ups. Additionally, research shows that it can induce cancer in animals, suggesting a potential risk to humans as well.

Due to the materials used in construction and the compact nature of trailers and prefab homes, they tend to release higher levels of formaldehyde emissions [source: EPA]. A report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in February 2008, highlighted the issue of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers used by hurricane survivors along the Gulf Coast. Residents of these trailers reported a surge in illnesses, suspected to be caused by prolonged exposure to formaldehyde. The CDC advised them to vacate the trailers as a result [source: CDC].

If you're residing in an older home with pressed wood paneling or insulation, the good news is that formaldehyde emissions decrease over time [source: EPA]. You can also help by using a dehumidifier and air conditioning to maintain a balanced indoor climate. Today, regulations surrounding pressed wood products are stricter, leading to reduced formaldehyde emissions.

7. Chemicals in Carpet

Indoor carpeting has recently drawn more attention due to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during the installation of new carpet. While carpet itself isn't necessarily hazardous, some individuals have reported health issues that they believe are linked to these emissions [source: EPA].

The adhesives and dyes used in carpeting are known to release VOCs, which can be harmful to your health if inhaled in high concentrations [source: Consumer Reports]. However, these emissions generally decrease after the initial days following installation [source: Consumer Reports].

Researchers are still studying which exact chemicals new carpets might emit and whether they pose any real danger to the average person [source: EPA]. To address concerns, the Carpet and Rug Institute in Dalton, Georgia, has introduced two Green Labels that confirm reduced VOC levels, and continues to monitor indoor air quality related to carpets.

For safety, you can ask your retailer to unroll the carpet and let it air out for a couple of days before it’s brought into your home [source: EPA]. Additionally, ensure the newly carpeted area is well-ventilated during installation to reduce VOC buildup.

6. Laser Printers Chemicals

A 2007 study conducted by Queensland University of Technology in Australia revealed that certain laser printers emit ultra-fine particles that could pose significant health risks [source: He, Morawaska and Taplin]. Similarly, another investigation by the National Institute of Public Health confirmed that both laser and ink-jet printers can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone, and particulates [source: Kagi et al].

Tests have shown that the concentration of these particles tends to return to normal after a few minutes [source: CBC]. However, depending on particle size and exposure time, they have been associated with heart and lung diseases [source: Davis]. This is especially concerning in office environments where individuals might be seated next to a printer.

Not all printers are a concern. In the Queensland study, 40 percent of the tested printers released ultrafine particles, with 27 percent of them emitting high concentrations. Emission levels varied depending on the printer's model, age, and toner cartridge.

In reaction to these findings, companies such as Xerox and Hewlett-Packard have publicly dismissed any health risks related to their products. Xerox’s President of Environment Health and Science stated that the company regularly conducts tests to evaluate the health impacts of exposure to toner particles.

When selecting a new printer, Energy Star recommends various models that are more eco-friendly. Although the Energy Star Web site does not indicate whether it tests for particle emissions, the endorsed brands consume less electricity, contributing to environmental sustainability.

5. Lead Paint

In 1991, the U.S. government recognized lead as the top environmental threat to children [source: EPA]. This wasn’t unexpected, given the severe health consequences that lead exposure can have on both children and adults. Even at low concentrations, lead can damage your central nervous system, brain, blood cells, and kidneys [source: EPA]. It's especially hazardous to fetuses, infants, and young children due to possible developmental disorders.

The concerns around lead paint are not new but remain significant as many homes built before 1978 still have lead-based paint [source: EPA]. While undisturbed paint is generally safe, once it starts to peel, it releases toxic lead particles that can be inhaled. To avoid exposure, never attempt to remove lead paint by sanding, scraping, or burning it, as this will release the harmful substance. Always hire a professional to handle removal.

This is the same lead paint that caused the widespread toy recalls from China in late 2007. Retailers were concerned that children could ingest the paint, which could lead to brain damage [source: Lipton and Barboza]. Today, lead is no longer found in commercial paints and products sold in the U.S., as regulations have changed to ensure safety.

4. Air Fresheners and Cleaning Solutions

Air fresheners and cleaning products are meant to keep our indoor environments clean and pleasant. However, a study conducted by the University of California at Berkeley revealed that excessive use, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces, can cause the release of toxic pollutants. The chemicals involved include ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes [source: Science Daily]. While the EPA deems the glycol ethers hazardous on their own, the usually harmless terpenes can react with ozone in the air to create a toxic compound [source: ScienceDaily].

In particular, air fresheners are often associated with volatile organic compounds like nitrogen dioxide. This chemical's levels indoors can be two to five times higher than outdoors, which has been linked to cancer in some animals [source: EPA]. Additionally, some air fresheners contain paradichlorobenzene, which is the same chemical found in mothballs.

Using air fresheners or cleaning your bathroom shouldn't cause illness, but it's important to ensure proper ventilation. Professional cleaners, in particular, should be cautious about inhaling excessive levels of these chemicals while working [source: ScienceDaily].

3. Baby Bottles and BPA

Canada has taken significant steps to ban the sale of baby bottles made from polycarbonate plastics, which are the most commonly used type. These bottles contain a chemical called bisphenol-a (BPA) that can leach out when the bottles are heated.

Why is BPA a concern when mixed with a baby's formula? BPA is a chemical compound similar in structure to estrogen, which is why it's classified as a "hormone disruptor." Hormone disruptors can interfere with the body's natural hormonal functions, especially in infants and young children. A collaborative U.S.-Canada study by environmental health organizations found that BPA exposure through products and maternal contact with BPA-containing items may contribute to developmental and neurological issues for fetuses and infants based on animal trials [source: The Working Group for Safe Markets].

In a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 93 percent of participants had detectable levels of BPA in their bodies [source: CDC]. Among them, children had the highest concentrations of this chemical [source: CDC]. Other common items containing BPA include refillable plastic bottles, compact discs, and certain plastic utensils [source: CDC].

In 2006, the Whole Foods supermarket chain decided to stop selling plastic baby bottles [source: Underwood]. Following Canada’s decision to remove polycarbonate plastic baby bottles from the market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration set up a task force to investigate any potential risks associated with BPA. Despite the ongoing research, the FDA continues to assert that the polycarbonate bottles available in the U.S. are safe for use [source: FDA].

2. Flame Retardants

Flame retardants are commonly found in mattresses, furniture upholstery, television and computer casings, and circuit boards. These chemicals have likely saved countless lives by reducing the risk of fires in homes around the world. However, the dark side of these flame inhibitors, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDEs, has been revealed by science. While two types of PBDEs were banned from use in manufacturing in the United States in 2004 due to health concerns [source: CDC], products containing these substances, along with their relative deca-PBDE, continue to exist in the marketplace.

Research has shown that PBDEs are linked to learning and memory difficulties, reduced sperm counts, and poor thyroid function in rats and mice [source: Underwood]. Some animal studies also suggest that PBDEs might be carcinogenic to humans, though this has not been definitively proven [source: CDC].

People can breathe in these chemicals through the air and dust, or consume them by eating animal products that have been exposed to them [source: Duncan]. Once inside the body, these substances tend to linger. They've spread so extensively that traces of them have been found in water sources as well.

In humans, PBDEs build up in women's wombs and breast milk, passing on these chemicals to babies [source: Cone]. Similarly, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected PBDEs in nearly every individual tested for the substance [source: CDC]. Upcoming CDC research will focus on the safety of deca-PBDE, which could lead to the full removal of these flame retardants.

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1. Cosmetic Phthalates

Forget about bat droppings in mascara—there's another questionable ingredient lurking in your favorite beauty products. Phthalates, also known as plasticizers, are commonly found in many items on your bathroom shelf, from hair sprays and shampoos to perfumes, deodorants, and even your rubber ducky. Not only do phthalates enhance the durability and flexibility of plastics, but they also help bind color and fragrance in cosmetic products.

Why be concerned about this chemical additive? Phthalates may cost more than you bargain for in terms of your health. Like BPA, these hormone-like substances are linked to reproductive and developmental issues in animals. In response, California and Washington have banned phthalates in children's toys [source: Underwood]. Furthermore, manufacturers have stopped using them in baby pacifiers, rattles, and teething rings [source: CDC].

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to conduct further research on the impact of phthalates before making any conclusions about their safety in consumer goods. However, the agency acknowledges the potential for reduced sperm counts in boys and early breast development in girls, among other concerns [source: CDC]. As for cosmetics, the Food and Drug Administration asserts that the levels present in these products are safe for adults but continues to study their effects on infants and children [source: FDA].