Household Toxins

The 3 Scariest Chemicals to Watch Out For in Your Home

Liza called leading scientists, advocates and physicians who, after laughing in her earpiece, helped compile a list of 10 or so of the best candidates. She then painstakingly whittled the list to three: phthalates; PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; and flame retardants. All three groups of chemicals appear throughout our homes and can disrupt our hormone, or endocrine, systems.

There’s No Better Time to Clear the Air

It’s discomforting to realize that air pollution can be coming from inside your home. Here’s how to identify and rid yourself of the risks.

Bringing Attention To Indoor Air Pollution

Unfortunately, manufacturers are not currently obligated by U.S. law to list all ingredients in consumer products and labels such as "natural" or "green" do not necessarily mean the products are safer. Better air quality will require some research on your part, and it's best to find a reliable source of information(not a manufacturer's website, which is devoted to marketing their products to you).

Kitchen pollutants can be as unhealthy as city smog

Please use the sharing tools found via the share button at the top or side of articles. Copying articles to share with others is a breach of FT.com T&Cs and Copyright Policy. Email [email protected] to buy additional rights. Subscribers may share up to 10 or 20 articles per month using the gift article service. More information can be found at https://www.ft.com/tour. https://www.ft.com/content/72edf3e8-32b9-11e9-bd3a-8b2a211d90d5 Cooking dinner in a modern American kitchen can generate indoor air pollution as unhealthy as outdoor air in the world’s dirtiest cities, according to a groundbreaking US study. Early results from the HomeChem project, based on intensive monitoring of a model home on the University of Texas Austin campus, were released at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting. 

Many household products contain antimicrobial chemicals banned from soaps by the FDA

Triclosan is one example of a potentially hazardous chemical used in some antimicrobial products. The Food and Drug Administration recently banned it, along with 18 others chemicals, from hand soaps because of unacceptable risks to humans and the environment. But these same chemicals are still used in many other products – including plush toys, pool wings, pacifier pockets, building blocks and even craft supplies like markers and scissors – without any label required. Some of these products are marketed as being antimicrobial, but many aren’t.

Taking On Toxins In The Modern Home

THE HOME CAN feel like an extra, rather demanding child. There’s always something to be cleaned. Things break. Furniture and kitchenware need replacing. And there’s the countless checkups with the heating, water, electrical, internet, even the foundation.

The Air Pollutants in Your Medicine Cabinet

A new study finds that many household goods degrade air quality more than once thought.

The toxic chemicals in our homes could increase Covid-19 threat

Everyday hormone-disrupting chemicals could affect our immune system’s defenses against infections.

Common Household Toxins

We’ve done the work of figuring out which ingredients are potentially toxic and harmful, and compiled solutions for cleaner and safer alternatives. Of which there are many! As more and more companies are addressing consumer concerns about ingredient safety, they are focusing on creating better alternatives for our health.

A Guide to Houseplants That Purify the Air

Who knew that “going green” could mean literally going green? In fact, the more air-purifying indoor houseplants you have throughout your home, the better the air quality and in many cases, the happier the people.

A Toxin in Every Household

When was the last time you looked around your kitchen or bathroom for chemicals that are toxic to your health? In many households, those chemicals don't just come in the form of liquid products like pesticides or bleach.

Chemicals Linked to Health Hazards Are Common in Household Dust

Two studies highlight overlooked ways that we are being exposed to indoor and outdoor pollution.

Dirty Laundry

The problem with traditional dry cleaning is a liquid solvent called “perc,” short for perchloroethylene. (Despite the moniker, dry cleaning isn’t really dry; it just doesn’t involve water.) Perc is what dissolves the gunk off of your clothes. It’s highly effective without being labor-intensive and—unlike the cleaning chemicals of old—it’s not likely to burst into flames. That’s why cleaners have been using it for the past 50 years. People have been concerned about the chemical’s health risks since the 1970s.

Everything you need to know about the chemical one White House aide called a ‘public relations nightmare’

Communities living near PFAS manufacturing plants and airfields that use fluorochemical flame-suppressants bore the brunt of greater exposure and health risks, usually through drinking water contaminated by improper disposal or clean-up.

Exposure to toxic chemicals in everyday products could affect expectant mothers

After decades of use in some of the most well-known hygiene and cleaning products in our bathrooms and kitchens, concerns about the safety of triclosan – an anti-germ chemical used in products including Colgate Total toothpaste – means it is being phased out by some manufacturers and in some countries. But it is still widely used, despite research that suggests it – and some other antibacterial and antifungal products – could pose a serious risk to our health and potentially to unborn foetuses.

Finding Alternatives to Toxic Cleaning Supplies

Household cleaning products are responsible for almost 10 percent of all toxic exposures reported to U.S. poison control centers.

How Do You Fight The World’s ‘Largest Environmental Health Problem’? Harness The Sun

More than 4 million people die prematurely every year from household air pollution — largely a result of cooking with smoky stoves.

How Modern Furniture Endangers Firefighters

Consumer goods are increasingly made of synthetic materials and coatings. The carcinogens they give off when they burn could be driving high cancer rates among first responders.

Make Your Home Healthier...

You've heard of New Year's health resolutions, but is your home making you sick? Doing your part to protect your home means reducing the exposure to toxins, pesticides, gases, mites and mold. For healthy living, these tips will help make you identify the hazards lurking in your environment and understand which of your health problems are in fact related to your environment.

Poisons: What Parents Need to Know

Most of us live with dangerous poisons lurking in kitchen cabinets, hallway closets, basements or garages. When warning labels are ignored or chemicals fall into the wrong hands, disaster can occur.

The Toxins That Threaten Our Brains

Leading scientists recently identified a dozen chemicals as being responsible for widespread behavioral and cognitive problems. But the scope of the chemical dangers in our environment is likely even greater. Why children and the poor are most susceptible to neurotoxic exposure that may be costing the U.S. billions of dollars and immeasurable peace of mind.

The “natural” beauty industry is on the rise because we’re scared of chemicals

These companies are responding to legitimate concerns about certain chemicals, like BPA and phthalates. Then there have been some high-profile lawsuits like the Johnson & Johnson ovarian cancer talc cases, in which juries have awarded multimillion-dollar settlements to people who claimed using baby powder for years caused their cancer.

These Common Household Items Are Really Toxic For Dogs

While it’s easy to leave items haphazardly around your home ― especially if you’re rushing out the door ― you should take extra precaution with certain things.

Toxic Substances Will Now Be Somewhat Regulated

How the first ever update to the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 finally came to pass—and what it lacks.

Toxins All around Us

Exposure to the chemicals in everyday objects poses a hidden health threat.

What Poisons Are in Your Body?

So the saddest lesson is that even if you understand the peril and try to protect yourself and your family — as I strongly suggest you do — your body may still be tainted. The chemical companies spend tens of millions of dollars lobbying and have gotten the lightest regulation that money can buy. They are running the show, and we consumers are their lab mice.

The 10 Most Dangerous Toxins in your House

Household toxins? Look no further than your kitchen cabinets.

These 20+ Toxins In Your Home and Office Can Seriously Harm Your Health

There’s an ever-growing list of environmental toxins in our homes and offices - and our bodies.

19 Toxins Lurking in Your Backyard

Your backyard is supposed to be a safe place, but you could have toxins hiding in plain sight that are harmful to your pets—or your kids.

8 Hidden Toxins: What’s Lurking in Your Cleaning Products?

We assume they are safe. But in fact, many popular household cleaners are dangerously toxic. Learn about the eight scariest substances hiding under your kitchen sink, and how to replace them with safer, more natural options that really work.

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families

We fight for strong chemical policy, work with retailers to phase out hazardous chemicals, and educate the public about ways to protect our families from toxic chemicals.

Safer Choice

Safer Choice helps consumers, businesses, and purchasers find products that perform and contain ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment.

Detox Me

The most reliable clean lifestyle guide that empowers you to eliminate toxic chemicals from your daily life.

Toxic-Free Future

Toxic-Free Future advocates for the use of safer products, chemicals, and practices through advanced research, advocacy, grassroots organizing, and consumer engagement to ensure a healthier tomorrow.

Clean Mama

Looking for a simpler way to approach homekeeping? I’m here to help you sort it out.

Green & Healthy Homes Initiative

The national Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is implementing a cost-effective and integrated approach to housing interventions by combining federal and philanthropic investments in weatherization, energy efficiency, health and safety. GHHI is setting a new standard for policies and practices to create more sustainable, affordable and healthier homes.

Tox Town

Tox Town provides consumer-level information on everyday locations and situations where you might be exposed to toxic chemicals. This site will help you better understand risks of exposure, potential health effects, and how to protect yourself.

American Cleaning Institute

For years, ACI has worked with partners and friends to help share information on the safe, beneficial and proper use of cleaning and hygiene products.

EPA

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns. Health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later.

FamilyManagement.com

Children in child care and child care providers have many opportunities for exposure to toxic chemicals and substances. Cleaning products, pesticides, arts and crafts supplies, common household products, and even household plants can be hazardous.