Find out where the danger in your kitchen really is…
There are all kinds of unhealthy chemicals around your house–cleaning products in the bathroom, chemicals in your food, and even some potentially toxic ingredients in your cosmetics. Your kitchen is one place where there are a lot of chemicals that can be very dangerous, so it’s important to avoid anything that could put you or your family at risk.
Here are some of the chemicals you may find in your kitchen:
- Triclosan — Triclosan is found in just about every liquid detergent, as well as in most antibacterial hand soaps. The agent can help to promote the growth of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, meaning the bacteria is much harder to get rid of once it sets in.
- PTFE –– PTFE is the short name for polytetrafluoroethylene, a material that is used to coat non-stick frying pans. When the coating gets hot, it tends to release toxic gases–a known cancer risk, a cause of organ failure, damaging the reproductive organs, and many other harmful effects. This only happens at high temperatures, so those wanting to be safe should cook on low heat.
- Phthalates –– Dish soap often contains fragrances, and that fragrance is often made from phthalates. These chemicals are known to disrupt your endocrine system (hormones), and a high presence of the chemical in your blood can lead to low sperm count in men.
- BPA –– Bisphenol-A is a toxic ingredient that is found in just about every type of plastic, including the plastic containers in which you store your food. Most single-use plastic bottles (for soda, for example) tend to contain BPA, which can harm your endocrine system.
READ MORE: Dangerous Chemicals in Wool
- 2-Butoxyethanol — If you use window cleaner in your kitchen, you’re risking exposure to this chemical. It’s also found in most all-purpose cleaners, as it gives them a sweet smell that makes them pleasant to use to clean your kitchen. If inhaled, it can lead to sore throats, but it can also cause more serious damage if ingested in large quantities.
- Oven cleaners –– In every oven cleaning product (like Easy Off), you’ll find that there are dozens of VERY strong chemicals that can put you and your family at serious risk. Skin contact with these cleaners can be very bad for your skin, and it’s recommended to avoid inhaling the chemicals as well. Worse still, if you don’t clean them off your oven completely, when heated, the chemical remnants can be seriously harmful.
- Lye –– Also known as sodium hydroxide, lye is used in many oven cleaners. It can burn your skin and eyes, and even burn your lungs if inhaled. If you inhale it, it can lead to a sore throat that can last for days.
- Air fresheners –– Every aerosol product has a potential risk, and you’ll find that the air freshener you use in your kitchen may be putting your family in danger. The aerosol products contain phthalates, which give them their nice fragrance. You end up inhaling tiny chemical particles as the freshener hangs in the air, which can lead to endocrine system problems as well as lung health problems.
- Shopping bags –– You’d think that shopping bags are perfectly safe, but watch out if they are exposed to high heat (the stove or oven). Burnt plastic can be highly toxic, and just breathing it in can damage your lungs. Plus, when you use plastic bags at home, you increase the amount of toxic waste your family generates!
