8 Hazardous household products that should be replaced

Many people do not realize it, but they may be putting their own health at risk by having contact with chemical substances present at home, in products and everyday objects. To avoid these risks, the first thing is to know the symbols on the labels that indicate these substances and the ways to replace them.

O awesome.club recommends that you replace any dangerous substance or object with alternative options, which can ensure the health and safety of your family and even your pets.

“Teflon” is the generic term used to designate the non-stick coating of pots and pans and which has properties such as greater insulating capacity, flexibility and resistance to extreme temperatures. The big question is the product used to glue teflon to the surface of kitchen utensils, known as PFOA (Perfluorooctane Acid) and which can cause cancer, increased cholesterol, liver problems and a number of other dysfunctions. So when buying any kitchen utensil, make sure it doesn’t contain PFOA. And, if you already have utensils with this type of substance, try to replace them with others made of iron, ceramic or stainless steel, for example.

It may seem curious, but just like pots and pans, rugs or carpets can also contain PFOA — in this case, applied as a coating to protect surfaces. In addition to this substance, carpets accumulate a large amount of dust, bacteria and germs, which can cause asthma or allergies in children and adults. Therefore, evaluate the composition of your rug (just read the label) and, if necessary, consider replacing it with floors or tiled floors.

Whether for their practicality or for the scent they usually leave in the house, cleaning products are a real temptation on supermarket shelves and, for that very reason, a sales success. The thing is, as many people already know, they carry risks. They can, for example, harm the health of pets, both by ingestion and inhalation. In humans, a study showed that daily exposure to these products can be equivalent to smoking twenty cigarettes a day. The best option, then, is to clean it with natural products, such as vinegar, lemon and baking soda, which have germicidal properties.

Toner from laser printers generates particles that, when inhaled, adhere to the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. A study by the University of Queensland, Australia, revealed that, of 62 models of laser printers, 17 produced high emissions of these particles. One option is the old and still reliable printers with ink cartridges.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, which, in turn, are used in the production, for example, of baby bottles. Scientists have discovered that exposure to BPA can lead to cancer, obesity, diabetes, precocious puberty, immune effects, hyperactivity and other health hazards. Because of this problem, health regulatory bodies began to require that products that use BPA in their composition have warnings of the presence of this substance. If you want to avoid exposure to it, just look for that acronym on the label. Or purchase products that have warnings like “BPA free” or “BPA free”.

Humidifiers or vaporizers may, at first glance, seem harmless. But it is necessary to keep in mind that there are, yes, risks in its use. If exposure is constant, both humidifiers and vaporizers can contribute to the growth of certain bacteria and mold. Even if you live in a dry environment, keep in mind that children can be exposed to moisture while bathing because of the steam. Therefore, there is, in principle, no need to buy this appliance.

Just like cleaning products, soap and fabric softener contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. The most common of them is chlorine which, if ingested, causes intoxication. In addition, direct exposure to the skin can cause burns. And attention: product labels may not indicate the term “chlorine” and, therefore, you may believe that you are buying a product without this substance. Be aware, then, of other terms that can also refer to it, such as “triclosan” and “hypochlorite”. A healthy and efficient option is homemade soap.

Personal hygiene and beauty products contain the so-called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a surface-active substance (or surfactant) that has, among other properties, the ability to produce foam. It is found, for example, in shower gels, shampoos, foams and toothpastes. As it is a great degreaser, it can leave the skin dry. It has been proven that repetitive and cumulative exposure to SLS can damage the liver. We recommend that you substitute natural, non-toxic shampoos to reduce exposure to this compound.

Did you already know about the risks that the products we show can cause? Do you use any healthier options? Do you know of any other dangerous products in your home that we can add to the list? Leave your opinion in the comments!