Are you usually the one who is in charge of cleaning different areas in your house? From bathroom floors, doing the dishes in your kitchen sink, mopping the floor of your living room, or just simply, your room. How about casually doing some typical errands around the house like doing the laundry, eliminating awful odor, and wanting to do that DIY paint job you saw on Youtube. Truth be told, the majority of related chemicals used to perform these tasks may contain unwanted and harmful substances that may eventually cause serious health problems, especially with continuous and or repeated contact with the substance.
Let’s do a checklist. Observe your daily activity at home, see how often you use these products and how much exposure you are getting. Are you ready?
Laundry Detergents
It is safe to say that this product can be found mostly in every home, helping our moms not just clean our favorite shirts but also bring back the fresh fruity or flowery scent. However, few chemical compounds present in our detergent are linked to adverse health issues like cancer, benign and malignant tumors, or respiratory illnesses. 4-Dioxane, Bleach, Benzene, Formaldehyde are some compounds you should start checking whenever you’re picking that favorite laundry detergent of yours.
Air Fresheners
Your carpet looks fresh; the curtains are newly changed. Medium-rare ribeye steaks with red wine have been set on your dining table, and finally, that creme brulee has a perfect glaze, but wait, what’s that weird smell? Where is it coming from? Are they near? Are my friends already at the front door?
Tight situation, right? Just as everything is all set, something really destroys the mood. Of course, you’ve prepared for this house party. You want everything to be perfect, so you grabbed that air freshener and sprayed it around the house. Well done, you have restored order.
From a health perspective, according to Science Direct research, it is reported that around 20% of the general population from the US has experienced adverse effects with air fresheners. Therefore, repeated exposure is something we should be wary about and rethink. Is it vital to use one, or can we simply avoid it and use non-toxic alternatives like essential oils and deodorizers?
Paint Fumes
This pandemic situation has brought the artistic side of everyone. Have you seen those videos on Youtube and Facebook wherein individuals have been doing their own home or room renovations? Painting the walls, putting some texture using different styles and colors, adding closets, making DIY tables are just some of the examples. Although it is relatively safe to use Latex or Alkyd just remember to use proper gear like a respirator mask to avoid inhalation of paint fumes and paint gloves to prevent direct contact.
Dishwashing Detergents
It may amount to several drops for your sponge to wash all kitchen wares, but using the wrong product may do more harm than good. If anything, remember, your kitchenware comes directly in contact with this cleaning agent containing harmful ingredients. In addition, it is where your food is prepared to share with the family, so be very cautious.
Some chemicals are potentially concerning, like Cocamide DEA, Ethanolamine, and non-specific ingredients (manufacturers who leave their consumers in the dark).
