The industrial revolution has made life a whole lot more convenient for people. However, with it has come an increase in the amount of chemicals we are exposed to in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, some of these chemicals can be harmful to us.
It’s important to be aware of hidden dangers in everyday products. This article will explain the nature of these risks, how to identify them, and steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
1. Parabens
Parabens are chemicals commonly used in body care and cosmetic products. They are used to reduce and prevent the growth of mold and bacteria, thus increasing products’ shelf lives.
The problem with parabens is that it is suggested by scientific studies that they can disrupt body hormones, affect birth outcomes, increase cancer risks and harm reproductive organs and fertility.
Frighteningly, almost all United States adults have parabens in their urine.
Health Effects of Parabens
Parabens can disrupt hormone system functions in men and women by acting like estrogen. This can affect the reproductive systems of men and women. It can also affect birth outcomes, fertility and reproductive development.
Parabens have been identified by the U.N. Environment Programme as chemicals which do or possibly disrupt the endocrine system.
Parabens’ estrogenic activity has been reported by scientific studies.
Parabens have been found to disrupt hormone signals and harm female reproductive development in animal studies. In other animal studies, parabens have been found to lower testosterone and decrease sperm production in males, and harm both male and female reproductive systems.
In humans, parabens have been linked with decreased fertility, as well as higher odds of decreased birth weight and pre-term birth.
Parabens have been linked with an alteration in gene expression in breast cancer cells. They have also been linked with accelerating the growth of breast cancer cells. A 2016 study found that parabens can increase breast cancer cells’ growth and even switch on cancer genes.
Where Parabens Are Found
Parabens can be found in many leave-on as well as rinse-off products like conditioners and shampoos. Additional products which contain parabens include makeup, toothpastes, shaving gels, deodorants, sunscreens, skin cleaners, face cleaners and moisturizers.
Some foods are also preserved using parabens.
If you’d like to avoid parabens, most paraben-free cosmetics and body care products will usually state that they are paraben-free on the label.
If you’re not sure that a product contains parabens or not, look at the list of ingredients. Common parabens include ethylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben and methylparaben.
2. Sulfates
Sulfates are salts which form due to the reaction of sulfuric acid with other chemicals. Common examples of sulfates are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate, which are produced from plant sources like palm oil and coconut oil, as well as petroleum.
These chemicals’ primary use is to create lather in cleaning products.
No direct evidence exists that sulfates are linked with development issues, infertility issues or cancer.
Health Effects of Sulfates
Sulfates are linked with numerous side effects, including:
Diarrhea: Some people may develop diarrhea when exposed to sulfates in their drinking water. Children, as well as sensitive adults, can develop diarrhea when sulfate concentrations become too high.
Intestinal pain: When some people drink water with too much sulfate, they can experience intestinal bloating and cramping.
Lung irritation: Air pollution can cause sulfates to linger in our air. Burning fuel can form sulfur dioxide, which changes to sulfates and sulfuric acid in the air. Sulfates can affect lung health and irritate the lungs.
Dry skin: One common side effect of sulfates is dry skin. Sulfates in shampoo, soap and laundry detergent can cause sensitive people to develop reactions. Sulfates such as sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate can remove too much skin oil, leading to dry, itchy skin and redness when they wash the protective barrier off of your skin.
Edema and dermatitis: People with skin conditions or sensitive skin may develop edema and skin inflammation when using products containing sulfates. The chances of your skin reacting increase with the sulfate concentration.
Where Sulfates Are Found
Sulfates are found in the environment as well as in consumer products.
Sulfates in the environment are found in drinking water and in the air.
The most common sulfates in consumer products are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. They are found in products like:
- Dish detergent
- Laundry detergent
- Shampoo
- Liquid hand soap
- Bath bombs
- Face cleaners
- Toothpaste
Read the ingredients of products and look for sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate if you wish to avoid them because they cause you to react to them. If you wish to avoid sulfates in drinking water, filtration systems can reduce the amounts of them in your water.
3. Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is an organic compound which is used in sunscreen, cosmetics, hair spray, furniture finishes, toys and plastics in order to limit ultraviolet light degradation. It prevents possible damage from exposure to sunlight. It can also be used in synthetic resins as a photostabilizer.
It is a controversial compound because of possible photoallergenic and hormonal effects.
Health Effects of Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is easily absorbed through your skin, which is concerning since it is used in sunscreen. It has been linked with allergic reactions as well as hormone disrupting effects.
A 2016 study found that oxybenzone exposure is associated with lower testosterone in adolescent boys.
A 2017 review of studies found that oxybenzone is linked with adverse reproductive outcomes such as birth outcomes.
The chemical has been linked with carcinogenicity in rats by the National Toxicology Program, which found the chemical was linked with thyroid tumors and uterus enlargement in rats.
Where Oxybenzone Is Found
Oxybenzone can be found in:
- Sunscreen
- Plastics
- Furniture finishes
- Toys
- Cosmetics
- Hair sprays
- Nail polishes
You should read the ingredients of the above products if you wish to avoid oxybenzone. Some sunscreens are marketed as being oxybenzone-free.
4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are organic compounds which have high vapor pressures when at room temperature. High vapor pressures are correlated with low boiling points, which relate to how many of the sample’s molecules are in the surrounding air. This trait is called volatility.
These compounds are responsible for the smell of perfumes, scents and pollutants.
Some of these compounds are harmful to the environment or human health.
Health Effects of VOCs
VOCs are linked with immune effects, allergic effects and respiratory effects in children and infants.
Sensory irritation symptoms can be caused when VOCs like limonene and styrene react with ozone or nitrogen oxides to produce secondary aerosols or new oxidation products.
Health effects of VOCs include:
- Throat, nose and eye irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Loss of coordination
- Damage to the central nervous system, kidney and liver
- Cancer
- Allergic skin reaction
- Vomiting
- Dyspnea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nose bleeding
- Serum cholinesterase level declines
VOCs which are known to be human carcinogens include benzene, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichlororpropane and trichloroethylene.
Benzene has been implicated in lawsuits alleging that benzene in sunscreen caused cancer.
Valisure recently detected benzene in acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, theorizing that the chemical may form in these products when these products are exposed to heat. However, benzoyl peroxide has been heavily used for acne care for over six decades, and its safety has been heavily tested – no scientific studies have ever linked benzoyl peroxide use with cancer.
Where VOCs Are Found
VOCs can be found in thousands of products, including:
- Mattresses
- Cleaning products
- Deodorant
- Hairspray
- Cosmetics
- Pesticides
- Office equipment
- Furniture
- Building materials
- Barbecues
- Gas stoves
- Candles
- Molded plastic
- Engineered wood
Increasing the ventilation in your home can help to remove VOCs which have already been emitted from your home.
Air cleaners with activated carbon filters can help to remove VOCs from your home’s air.
Check labels for VOCs. Many finishes and solvents which emit them state that they do on their labels. Terms such as “surfactant” or “fragrance” on labels suggest the products may contain VOCs.
Products with Green Seal GS-11 verification limit VOCs. Water-based coatings and paints are less likely to contain VOCs than others.
Products labeled fragrance-free or green may be less likely to contain VOCs.
PVC plastic should be avoided if you wish to avoid VOCs.
Products like furniture or mattresses can emit VOCs and they should be aired out when possible. Mattresses may have certifications such as Global Organic Latex Standard, Global Organic Textile Standard or European Union Ecolabel certification which verify they have low amounts of VOCs in them.
5. Teflon
Teflon, or PTFE, is a chemically inert substance which is utilized in many products because it has an incredibly low friction coefficient, meaning nothing sticks to it. It is most known for being used in nonstick pans.
While the chemical is stable at low temperatures, it can deteriorate at high temperatures. It can have negative effects on health when it deteriorates.
Health Effects of Teflon
Teflon can have negative effects on health when it deteriorates after being exposed to high temperatures. This is concerning because it is used in non-stick cookware, which may be exposed to high temperatures.
When cookware containing PTFE is overheated, the effects can be lethal to birds in the home which are kept as pets, and can cause humans to exhibit flu-like symptoms.
When this chemical is heated over 450 C, inhalation of them may lead to acute lung injury.
The bigger concern is actually not PTFE itself, but chemicals which were or are used in the production of PTFE. These chemicals, known as PFAS chemicals, have been linked with cancer. Lawsuits have arisen due to PFAS contamination of drinking water and their use in AFFF firefighting foam.
One of these chemicals is PFOA, which used to be used in the manufacturing of PTFE. While PTFE manufacturers assumed this chemical burned off during the manufacturing process, it was found that some nonstick cookware contained traces of the chemical.
While PFOA is no longer used in the manufacturing of PTFE, scientists have urged the public to avoid the new PFAS chemicals which have replaced PFOA in the manufacturing of PTFE, noting that PFAS chemicals have been linked with:
- Cancer
- Neonatal death
- Neonatal toxicity
- Adverse neurobehavioral effects
- Disruption of endocrine and immune systems
- Disruption of lipid metabolism
- Liver toxicity
- Liver malfunction
- Hypothyroidism
- High cholesterol
- Ulcerative colitis
- Lower birth size and weight
- Obesity
- Decreased immune responses to vaccines
- Delayed puberty
- Reduced hormone levels
PTFE itself has never been linked with adverse health effects at room temperature. However, chemicals used in its production, which may be found in trace amounts in the final product have been linked with adverse health effects, and many of these chemicals are quite new, with their health effects not having been thoroughly tested in the long term.
Where Teflon Is Found
PTFE can be found in:
- Nonstick cookware
- Wiring insulation
- Bearings seals
- Electrets
- Carbon fiber composites
- Fiberglass composites
- Liners in industrial pipe lines, expansion joints and hose assemblies
- Tensioned membrane structures
- Musical instrument lubrication products such as valve oil
- Aerosol lubricant sprays
- Bicycle lubricant
- Ski bindings
- Waterproof fabric
- Stain-proof fabric
- Medical equipment
- Dental floss
- Computer mouse feet
- Laser printers
- Body jewelry
It is most commonly encountered in nonstick cookware. Some nonstick cookware, like ceramic pots and pans, do not contain PTFE and you can use these if you wish to avoid PTFE. There are also alternatives to nonstick cookware which are fairly nonstick when seasoned correctly, like cast iron pans and carbon steel pans. Stainless steel cookware can also be nonstick when used correctly.
6. Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are metals which have relatively high atomic numbers, atomic weights or densities.
Some heavy metals are toxic. Other heavy metals are only toxic when excess exposure occurs, or when they are encountered in specific forms.
The heavy metals with the biggest potential to harm humans are lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and chromium.
Other toxic heavy metals include germanium, osmium tetroxide, indium salts, cisplatin, bismuth and uranium.
There is concern over the amount of toxic heavy metals found in our food supply.
Health Effects of Lead
Lead is very poisonous and affects almost every system and organ in the body.
It can cause severe kidney and brain damage. It can degrade neuron myelin sheathes, reduce their numbers, interfere with neurotransmission routes, and decrease neuronal growth. It can cause microcytic anemia and ineffective heme synthesis.
Lead poisoning symptoms include nephropathy, weakness in the ankles, wrists or fingers, and abdominal pains. Anemia and small increases in blood pressure can occur. Lead has been linked with decreased variability of heart rate, miscarriage, and reduced male fertility.
In children, lead can interfere with the formation of synapses, neurochemical development and ion channel organization. Exposure to lead in early childhood is linked with excessive daytime drowsiness and a higher risk of sleep disturbance. High levels of lead in the blood are linked with girls experiencing delayed puberty.
Lead has been linked with brain damage, reduced IQ, attention deficits and behavioral problems.
Lead found in baby foods has led to lawsuits alleging that it has caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder. A 2015 study and a 2016 study have linked lead with autism spectrum disorder.
Health Effects of Mercury
Mercury, a neurotoxin, can damage the lungs, kidneys and brain. Mercury poisoning can cause many diseases, such as Minamata disease, Hunter-Russell syndrome and acrodynia.
Acute mercury vapor exposure can lead to effects on the central nervous system such as psychotic reactions. Occupation exposure is linked with insomnia, excessive shyness, excitability, irritability, erethism, and tremor. Long-term exposure has been linked with depression, loss of memory, irritability and fatigue.
Mercury has been linked with cardiovascular disease, vision impairment, reduced IQ and memory impairment.
Mercury found in baby foods has lead to lawsuits alleging it has caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder. A 2017 study linked mercury with autism spectrum disorder.
Health Effects of Cadmium
Cadmium is quite toxic, and inhalation of cadmium can lead to metal fume fever, pulmonary edema, chemical pneumonitis and death.
Cadmium is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen.
Cadmium has been linked with neurotoxicity, cancer, heart/bone/kidney damage and learning disabilities.
Cadmium found in baby foods has lead to lawsuits alleging it has caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder. A 2012 study and a 2020 study have linked cadmium with autism spectrum disorder.
Health Effects of Arsenic
Arsenic is an especially potent poison. Arsenic poisoning can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, muscle cramping, tingling and numbness, and death.
Long-term arsenic exposure can cause skin lesions, pigmentation changes and hard patches on the soles of the feet and palms, which may be precursors to skin cancer. Long-term exposure can also cause lung and bladder cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, infant mortality, adverse pregnancy outcomes and developmental effects.
Exposure in utero and during childhood has been linked with cancer, kidney failure, heart attack, lung disease, memory deficits, intelligence deficits and cognitive development deficits.
Arsenic is considered a carcinogen by the IARC.
Arsenic has been linked with neurological problems, reduced IQ, cognitive deficits, bladder/lung/skin cancer, and nervous system and brain damage.
Arsenic found in baby foods has lead to lawsuits alleging it has caused children to develop autism spectrum disorder. A 2018 study and a 2019 study have linked arsenic with autism spectrum disorder.
Health Effects of Chromium
Chromium is considered a carcinogen by the IARC. Its inhalation has been linked with lung cancer. Chromium has been linked with lung, intestinal and stomach cancer in lab animals.
Lab animals exposed to chromium have developed sperm damage and male reproductive system damage.
Chromium has been linked with problems with the small intestine and stomach in lab animals.
Inhalation of chromium can cause breathing problems, runny nose and nose irritation, as well as allergies.
Animal studies have linked chromium exposure during pregnancy with reproductive system development changes, skeleton development changes, low birth weight and miscarriage.
Where Heavy Metals Are Found
Mercury is found in fish. Fish with particularly high levels of mercury include tuna, tilefish, swordfish, shark, orange roughy, marlin and king mackerel. Mercury has also been found in baby foods.
Lead can be found in wine, seafood, fruits, meat and vegetables. It has also been found in baby foods.
Cadmium is found in potable water, dried algae, freshwater fish, shellfish and mushroom. Smokers are also heavily exposed to cadmium.
Chromium is found in water and plant-based foods.
Arsenic is commonly found in rice, especially brown rice. Parents should make sure that the exposure of young children to rice-based foods, especially brown rice, is limited.
You can reduce around 60 percent of the arsenic in food by cooking it like pasta in plenty of water then draining the water. Simply bring a big pot full of water to a boil, add the uncooked rice, simmer for 25-30 minutes, drain, immediately return to the pot, cover for 10 minutes and serve.
Diversify your diet to avoid exposure to heavy metals. Consider swapping rice at times for cauliflower rice, couscous, bulgur or quinoa. Consider eating fish with relatively low levels of mercury such as sardines or salmon. You can minimize heavy metal exposure by peeling and washing vegetables and fruits, as well as by sourcing these foods from local farmers or reputable producers.
To limit your infants’ exposure to heavy metals, limit their exposure to canned baby food as well as rice-based foods.
7. Herbicides and Pesticides
Herbicides and pesticides are used to kill weeds and insects which can harm plants. However, they can be very toxic and cause a wide variety of health effects.
Health Effects of Herbicides and Pesticides
The effects of herbicides and pesticides on human health depend on the specific chemical. Some affect our nervous system. Others may be carcinogens. Others can irritate our eyes or skin. Others may affect our bodies’ endocrine or hormone systems.
One popular herbicide, Roundup, has been linked with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a deadly form of cancer. Lawsuits allege that people have developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma due to Roundup exposure.
Another popular herbicide, paraquat, has been linked with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disease. Lawsuits allege that people have developed Parkinson’s disease due to paraquat exposure. Rates of Parkinson’s disease are particularly high in geographic regions with a lot of agriculture.
Where Herbicides and Pesticides are Found
Herbicides and pesticides can be found wherever things are grown, especially food.
To reduce your exposure to herbicides and pesticides, you can:
- Scrub and wash all fresh vegetables and fruits thoroughly, using running water. Running water works better than soaking. This removes bacteria and chemicals from vegetables and fruits, as well as dirt.
- Peel vegetable and fruits whenever possible to reduce pesticides, bacteria and dirt. Discard leafy vegetables’ outer leaves. Trim skin from fish and poultry and fat from meat since pesticides collect in fat.
- Eat a wide variety of foods from different sources, which will diversify the nutrients you eat and limit your exposure to a single pesticide.
8. Phthalates
Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid. While they are typically added to plastics in order to increase their longevity, durability, transparency and flexibility, they can also be found in some personal-care items.
Health Effects of Phthalates
Some phthalates disrupt the human endocrine system. They can do this by increasing production of some hormones and decreasing production of other hormones. They can also interfere with hormone signaling.
Phthalates have been linked with:
- Fertility changes
- Early puberty
- Higher risk of low birth weight
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Immune system impacts
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiovascular problems
- Cancer
- Behavioral problems
- Neurological problems
Phthalates found in chemical hair straightening and relaxing products have been linked with uterine cancer, as well as endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma, ovarian cancer and uterine fibroids. This has led to lawsuits alleging that hair relaxers have caused these conditions.
Where Phthalates Are Found
Phthalates can be found in:
- Cosmetics
- Diapers
- Menstrual pads
- Adhesives
- Vinyl flooring
- Food packaging
- Nail polish
- Undisclosed fragrances in various products
- Kitchen plastics
- Vinyl
- Paint
- Air fresheners
- Chemical hair straighteners and hair relaxers
Choose the above products carefully, or simply limit the amount you use them, to avoid exposure to phthalates.
9. Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs)
PFCs are organofluorine compounds lacking C-H bonds. Because they are very chemically stable, they don’t break down readily in the environment or human body and can accumulate in the human body. Some PFCs are known as “forever chemicals” because of this.
PFAS chemicals are a particularly notorious form of PFCs.
Health Effects of Perfluorinated Chemicals
PFAS chemicals have been linked with many conditions, including:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Hypo or hyperthyroidism
- Thyroid disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Testicular cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Blood cancer
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Non-hodgkin lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer in males
- Prostate cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Where PFCs Are Found
Unfortunately, PFAS chemicals have been found in a substantial percentage of Americans’ drinking water. The chemicals often end up contaminating drinking water near the plants where they are manufactured, or near military bases and airports where training exercises are done utilizing AFFF firefighting foam.
To reduce exposure to PFAS chemicals in drinking water, know how much of the chemicals your drinking water has, or filter water using NSF/ANSI certified filters. You can contact your water utility for PFAS testing results, as most utilities test for these chemicals.
If you use a private well, test your water. Filter your water if needed.
PFAS chemicals can be found in food wrappers. Limit or reduce your amount of takeout, microwave popcorn and fast food to limit exposure. Limit or reduce your use of nonstick cookware to reduce exposure. Wash hands, vegetables and fruits well before eating to limit exposure.
Stain-resistant carpets and furniture may contain PFAS chemicals. Products with ingredients containing “perfluoro” and “fluoro” in the names may contain PFAS chemicals – avoid using these products to limit exposure.
10. Radon
Radon is a chemical element with the atomic number 86. It is found in rock and soil.
Health Effects of Radon
Radon is a substantial cause of lung cancer. Three to 14 percent of lung cancers are caused by radon. The IARC considers radon to be a carcinogen.
Studies have found that low radon concentrations, like those found in residential settings, can harm human health and cause lung cancer.
Radon has been linked with pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma in children.
Where Radon Is Found
Most people will be exposed to radon primarily in their home, as well as indoor workplaces.
The amount of radon found in buildings depends upon:
- Local geology
- Routes available for radon to pass from soil into buildings
- Building materials’ radon exhalation
- Exchange rate of outdoor and indoor air
Radon can enter buildings through floor cracks, floor-wall junctions, drains, sumps, cavity walls, hollow-block walls, or gaps around cables and pipes.
Radon can be found in drinking water.
Some construction materials contain radon, like concrete, granite and natural stone.
Home appliances such as dryers, ovens and stoves may emit radon when generating combustion byproducts or heat.
The primary way to reduce the amount of radon in your home is to install a vent pipe system as well as a fan which pulls radon out from underneath your house, venting it outside. These systems are called soil suction radon reduction systems. These systems can be made more efficient by sealing openings like foundation cracks.
You can increase your home’s air flow by using vents and fans to circulate air and opening windows. This can temporarily reduce radon.
Radon exposure can be reduced by sealing cracks in walls and floors with materials like caulk or plaster.
Avoiding building materials like granite used in countertops may reduce radon levels in your home.
Jeffrey Nadrich
Jeffrey Nadrich is a nationally-recognized California plaintiff’s personal injury attorney. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and UC Hastings College of the Law. He has successfully represented thousands of injury clients over the last 40 years.
