From a highly toxic element to harmful substances found in everyday cleaners, today we look
at chemicals you’ve heard were dangers but never knew why.
12. Sodium Hydroxide
This inorganic compound is widely used in manufacturing paper, soaps, detergents, textiles,
drinking water, and drain cleaner. Sodium hydroxide is a highly corrosive base and alkali
that can cause severe chemical burns. This is because of chemical reactions that occur
when it contacts another substance. It can also result in blindness if it comes into
contact with one’s eyes. Therefore, protective equipment and safety clothing must be worn
when handling this chemical. When it dissolves, sodium hydroxide is exothermic as well, meaning
it can ignite flammable materials and cause heat burns.
11. Parabens
All of us have heard of parabens, but many don’t know exactly what they are or what
makes them dangerous. They are preservatives that are commonly used in pharmaceutical and
cosmetic products, and there are several different kinds. Parabens are often found in things
like shaving gels, moisturizers, shampoos, makeup, and toothpaste, as well as various
other everyday items. Some of the more typical parabens are ethylparaben, methylparaben,
heptylparaben, and propylparaben. So far, no direct links between parabens and cancer
have been discovered, but that doesn’t mean these chemicals are always safe. The majority
of paraben toxicity information has come from single-exposure inspections - meaning there
is a single kind of paraben in a single product. This is believed to be safe as research suggests
it poses an insignificant threat to one’s endocrine system. The issue with these studies
is that they don’t take into account the daily use of several paraben-containing items.
Although research points to an extremely low risk of certain cancers as the result of parabens,
it has indicated that the methylparaben in some cosmetic products mixed with UVB rays
from the sun can lead to faster skin aging, DNA damage, and skin cancer.
10. Glyphosate
This chemical is a systemic herbicide - or weedkiller. It was first introduced to the
market in 1974 under the name “Roundup,” which is still used today. Glyphosate effectively
gets rid of a wide spectrum of plants, like broad-leaved and woody plants, as well as
grasses, and is one of the most commonly used herbicides. Although it has generally low
toxicity to people when ingested orally, people have passed away from a deliberate overdose.
Glyphosate also hasn’t been proven to have carcinogenic effects on people, but a small
amount of evidence suggests that it may increase the risk of cancer in people who are exposed
to large amounts of the chemical while working - such as in agricultural occupations. However,
California recognized the substance as carcinogenic in 2017, and an ongoing case prohibited the
state from enforcing product labels on things containing glyphosate due to the overwhelming
evidence that it isn’t a cancer risk.
9. Triclosan
Also known as TCS, this is a common chemical in many products, including detergents, soaps,
and toothpaste. It was originally used in the 1970s as a hospital scrub, but it has
greatly expanded since then. TCS is an antifungal and antibacterial agent that acts as a bacteriostat,
meaning it prevents bacteria from reproducing without necessarily eliminating it. We become
exposed to triclosan via skin absorption, which is common when we’re washing our hands,
taking a shower, doing the dishes, or using mouthwash. This chemical is classified as
a “contaminant of emerging concern” because it is being investigated for health risks.
One concern is that TCS has been connected with higher food allergy risks because exposure
to certain bacteria reduces allergies. This brings us to a more significant danger the
overuse of triclosan could result in: bacteria resistance. Dangerous bacteria such as E.
coli can develop a resistance to triclosan, rendering it useless.
8. Sodium Laureth Sulfate
This other common chemical is found in various personal care items, including shampoo, toothpaste,
and soaps, and is an effective foaming agent. It is produced via a chemical reaction called
ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol, which is a product of coconut or palm kernel oil. Although
most people enjoy foaming soaps and shampoos, this chemical is a proven skin and eye irritant.
Plus, some items that have sodium laureth sulfate in them also contain traces of 1,4-dioxane,
a by-product of the ethoxylation process. It is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen,
meaning it has the potential to cause cancer in humans. Although the FDA recommends 1,4-dioxane
be removed from consumer products, federal law doesn’t require it.
7. Ammonia
This chemical compound is made of nitrogen and hydrogen and is a colorless gas that exhibits
a noticeable smell. It is often used in cleaning products, such as Windex, because it results
in a streak-free shine. Ammonia is listed as an extremely hazardous substance in the
US, and companies that use it in significant amounts must adhere to strict reporting requirements.
Exposure to high concentrations of this chemical can cause lung damage and demise. What makes
it even more likely to affect you is that since it’s a common household cleaner, people
who are unaware of the threat might mix it with bleach by accident while tidying up their
homes. This chemical reaction of ammonia and bleach creates toxic chloramine fumes, which
cause coughing, sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, and chest congestion.
6. Trans Fats
Everyone has heard to stay away from trans fats, but most people aren’t sure why. Also
known as trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, this kind of unsaturated
fat is found in small amounts in milk fat and meat. In the early twentieth century,
companies began producing trans fats industrially from fish and vegetable oils to use in margarine.
Later on, they began using it in pre-packaged snacks and baked goods, as well as to fry
fast foods. Trans fats are formed through partial hydrogenation, resulting in the hydrogen
atoms of a naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acid to move to different sides of the
molecule chain. This is called “trans,” which is Latin for “across.” Since the
trans fat’s bond configuration allows the molecules to pack together more tightly, it
has a much higher melting point than other fatty acids. This means that it is still solid
at normal body temperatures. The reason these fats are used in so many products is that
they extend shelf life and decrease the need for refrigeration. But, the negatives far
outweigh the positives. They don’t provide any health benefits and increase bad cholesterol
levels while lowering good cholesterol levels. So, consuming trans fats can lead to coronary
artery disease, and there is no consumption level deemed safe according to the National
Academy of Sciences.
5. Phthalates
These are chemical compounds derived from phthalic acid and are added to plastics to
increase durability, flexibility, transparency, and longevity. Since phthalates are so widely
used, most people are exposed to them in some way. CDC tests indicate that the majority
of Americans have end products of this chemical in their urine. A study done in Sweden in
2012 showed that children can ingest phthalates through their skin and by breathing. Plus,
one’s diet is thought to be the primary source of ingested phthalates, with common
fatty foods containing the chemical. The reason this matters is because of the adverse health
effects that can result from ingesting phthalates. This chemical is widely classified as an endocrine
disruptor, meaning it can prevent the endocrine system from doing its job properly. This could
result in lowered fertility in men, diabetes, obesity, breast cancer, and immunity issues.
4. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Quaternary ammonium compounds are created via quaternization, meaning tertiary amines
are converted into quaternary ammonium salts through alkylation. These chemicals are often
used as disinfectants, antistatic agents in things like shampoo, fabric softeners, and
surfactants, which lower surface tension between two liquids. Quaternary ammonium compounds
are thought to work by upsetting cell membranes and are lethal to various organisms except
for endospores, non-enveloped viruses, and the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. These
chemicals can cause a wide range of health issues from skin and respiratory irritation
to corrosive burns of one’s gastrointestinal lining and skin. They can also cause gastrointestinal
problems like vomiting, as well as convulsions, coma, hypotension, and termination. Plus,
tests on lab mice indicate that quaternary ammonium compounds could have adverse reproductive
effects.
3. 2-Butoxyethanol
This substance is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor that is used in numerous industrial
and household products. It has surfactant properties and can be used as a solvent for
paints. 2-Butoxyethanol is often found in firefighting foam, oil spill dispersants,
degreasers, whiteboard cleaners, liquid soaps, dry cleaning solutions, latex paints, and
many other everyday items. This chemical is most commonly ingested by humans through inhalation,
oral consumption, or absorption through the skin. Luckily, toxicity is fairly low, and
studies indicate that only through long-term exposure to high concentrations can 2-butoxyethanol
result in adrenal tumors in animals. It is cancer-causing in rodents, but that doesn’t
necessarily translate to people; so, it isn’t classified as a carcinogen in the United States.
2. BPA
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a colorless solid that is the basis for creating plastics - mainly
epoxy resins and polycarbonates. Plastics made with BPA are used in various consumer
products, like water bottles, DVDs, CDs, thermal paper, and sports equipment. What makes BPA
concerning is that it can bind with both types of nuclear estrogen receptors. Recent studies
of the chemical have found possible connections with BPA exposure and health problems during
pregnancy and development. Plus, like phthalates, BPA has endocrine disruptor properties, which
caused the European Chemicals Agency to list it as a “substance of very high concern”
in 2017. In 2012, the FDA banned the use of this substance in the making of baby bottles
as well. But, banning the chemical entirely is an ongoing debate.
1. Lead & Electrical Cords
Lead, as most of you probably know, is an element of the periodic table. It is a heavy
metal and is denser than the majority of average materials. There’s a good chance you’ve
also heard that lead is extremely poisonous if swallowed or inhaled and damages nearly
every system and organ within the human body. Since lead interferes with proper enzyme function,
it can cause extreme problems with the kidneys and brain, resulting in certain demise. Lead
has the ability to mimic calcium, meaning it can cross the semipermeable border that
keeps the brain and extracellular fluids of the central nervous system separate from circulating
blood. It has also been shown to cause miscarriages in pregnant women and to reduce male fertility.
Because of the severe health concerns associated with lead, precautions are taken to prevent
adverse situations. An example of this is the lead found within electrical cords. Under
California Proposition 65, all products that contain a chemical with the potential to cause
birth defects, cancer, or reproductive harm have to exhibit clear labels warning consumers.
Although not all products are required to have a specific label, electrical wires are.
The warning must state that handling the cord “will expose you to lead,” which is known
to cause “cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.” Using the word “cancer”
is the company’s choice but could help them avoid liability. Currently, only California
requires this; products from the same company being sold in other states often won’t have
a warning label.
Were you aware of the dangerous everyday products you have in your home?