20 Chemicals to Avoid
FORMALDEHYDE
Highly toxic, known carcinogen found in building materials, foams & furniture, air fresheners, mold & mildew cleaners, synthetic carpets, permanent press draperies, bubble bath.
AMMONIA
Volatile chemical, can damage eyes, respiratory tract, skin – found in glass cleaners, oven cleaners, floor wax, toilet cleaner, fertilizers house cleaners.
BLEACH
Strong corrosive, can irritate/burn the skin, eyes & respiratory tract – found in laundry products, household scrubbing products, oxidizers, antimicrobials. Can cause pulmonary edema or coma if ingested. Combined with ammonia, bleach causes deadly fumes.
CHLORINE
Can poison if ingested. Damage to lungs & internal organs – found in dishwashing detergents, water purifiers, disinfectants, building products.
DRAIN CLEANER CHEMICALS
Lye, hydrochloric acid or trichloroethane; causes skin & eye irritations – found in dry cleaning process of clothes.
PETROLEUM DISTILLATES
Highly flammable, can cause skin and lung cancer – found in furniture polishes & finishes, lip gloss, liquid gas, fertilizer, pesticides, plastics, paint thinners, solvents, motor oil, fuels.
PARABENS
Preservative used widely in cosmetics. Interferes with hormone function in both men & women – found in beer, cosmetics, sauces, desserts, soft drinks.
TRICLOSANS
Harms the immune system and disrupts hormone function – found in antibacterial cleaners, facewashes, toothpastes. May actually make us more resistant to antibiotic use.
SILOXANES
Group of compounds used to soften, smooth, or moisten – found in skin care products, home products, baking utensils, pans, baby products. D4 and D5 are considered hormone disruptors, bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms – found in nipples, pacifiers, implants, windshield coating, lubricants, sealants.
SODIUM LAURYL AND SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
Causes itching, flakes or skin cracks, also mouth and canker sores – found in foaming agent used in cosmetics, shampoos.
PHTHALATES
Chemicals used as plasticizers; can damage liver, lungs, kidneys – found in vinyl shower curtains, PVC (vinyl) floors, cosmetics, even reproductive system shampoos, soaps, plastic toys.
BPA
Bisphenol A, can cause harm to brain and prostate glands, can impact behavior – found in water bottles, consumer electronics, paints, varnishes, floors.
TOLUENE
Liquid solvent used to expand, thin or mix product, can cause neuro disorders – found in paints & thinners, fuel, fingernail polish, lacquers, adhesives.
SYNTHETIC MUSK
Synthetic aroma compounds that bioaccumulate & disrupt cell functioning and hormone systems – found in perfumes, fresheners, cosmetics, deodorants.
PFCs
Some suspected human carcinogens linked to cancer, kidney damage, reproductive problems – found in waterproof clothing, shoes, no-iron clothing/sheets.
ORGANOTINS
Chemicals used in biocides & pesticides; cause neurotoxic effects, liver & renal toxicity – found in wood preservatives, PVC plastics, fungicides, pesticides.
BFRS (Brominated Flame Retardant)
Affects endocrine, immune, reproductive, and nervous systems – used to reduce the flammability in plastics, textiles and electronics.
BENZENE
Impacts bone marrow & decreases red blood cells, leading to anemia, leukemia – found in paint, varnish, building materials, furniture wax, glues.
XYLENE
Serious exposure causes sleepiness, stumbling, irregular heartbeat, fainting, or even death – used in the printing, rubber, and leather industries.