TOXIC HOME CHEMICALS

Baby care products

Flame-retardants are used in the foam found in products like cribs, high chairs, strollers and nursing pillows. The chemicals involved are PBDEs or other retardants with bromine or chlorine, which have been linked to sexual and neurological disorders.

Vinyl flooring and shower curtains

Phthalates are used to soften the plastic that goes into vinyl flooring and shower curtains. This chemical has been associated with causing harmful effects to growth and development in children, and impacting brain functions like                                                                                                learning, behavior and memory.

Nonstick pots and pans

There’s some controversy over the effects of the coating on nonstick pans, commonly known as Teflon. The Teflon chemical, PTFE, is thought to be harmless. But non-stick pans heated past 500 degrees Fahrenheit, or that have started to flake, can emit toxic byproducts of PTFE that can cause flu-like symptoms in humans.

Consumer electronics

This category can be a toxic cocktail. Phthalates are found in the power cords of devices or controller cables of game consoles. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans, are added to circuit boards and plastic casings.

Hard plastic bottles and containers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in many plastic bottles and containers. Recent studies have shown that BPA could have effects on the brain, behavior and prostrate gland in infants and young children.

                                                                                                                                                              

Insulation

BFRs are added to housing insulation materials to meet fire safety codes. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over a long period of time and have been linked to impaired brain development and cancer in humans.

Air fresheners and cleaners

Sprays or even some scented candles that “freshen” the air often use phthalates to spread the fragrance.

Cosmetics

Phthalates can also be found in perfumes, deodorants and hair sprays, as well as nail polish.

Carpets

Carpets, and some furniture, are also treated with the same non-stick chemicals, PTFE, used in Teflon. When PTFEs break down, one of the byproducts is a carcinogenic chemical, PFOA, also linked to infertility and birth defects in humans.

Personal hygiene products

The antimicrobial chemicals, such as triclocarban, added to soaps and lotions have been linked to interfering with the production of thyroid hormones, which affect neurological development in children. Some of these products also include phthalates.