Hidden Toxins in Everyday Household Items
It’s common knowledge that things like bleach, flysprays and cleaning products all contain toxins that we should avoid around the house.
But did you know there are hidden toxins in things we may not even think of?
These are just six that you should double check around the house. I also have some alternatives for you as well, because finding these things out can be quite disheartening. Remember, knowledge is power and the more you know, the safer you and your family can be.
1. Teabags.
Sorry tea lovers, but your tea bags may be made of a nasty plastic (and we know plastic and boiling water is not a good combination). Paper tea bags may be bleached or treated with epichlorohydrin (a compound that has been identified as potential carcinogen).
Solution? Contact your tea manufacturer and ask questions about the tea bag or just stick to loose leaf tea (hey, I think it tastes better anyway). I use a teapot – a small one for myself and bigger one for guests. You can also use stainless steel tea diffusers if you only want to make one cup.
2. Dental Floss.
Some dental floss can contain perfluorinated polymer – also known as a PFC (the same thing that is in Teflon) to help it be all slidey on your teeth. PFC is nasty stuff – it can cause cancer, damage your immune system and disrupt hormones. Ever seen antibacterial dental floss? Well that might have triclosan in it – which may pass through your skin and disrupt hormones.
Solution? Check the ingredients of your dental floss or use a natural one like these.
3. Baking Paper and Plastic Wrap.
That paper you are baking your biccies on may be bleached, contain chlorine and/or coated with Quilon which contains heavy metals like chromium. Plastic wrap? Well plastic isn’t so great anyway, but the ‘antibacterial’ plastic wrap is also coated in triclosan.
Solution? I use the If You Care range of baking paper, muffin cases etc. for baking and instead of cling wrap, we use a variety of things.
4. Disposable Nappies.
As well as being not so eco-friendly, disposable nappies can contain a chemical cocktail sitting on your baby’s precious bum and being absorbed into their blood stream. You can expect to find dioxin, sodium polyacrylate (the absorbent gel), phthalates, heavy metals and more. Check out this great article at Small Footprint Family for more details of how toxic these chemicals are.
Solution? Old fashioned cloth nappies or modern cloth nappies are much safer or check out some eco disposable nappies – some brands are free from the nasties.
5. CFL lightbulbs.
CFL (compact fluorescent lightbulbs) contain mercury and if they are broken, mercury vapour is released. Now, it’s not a huge amount but mercury is a potent neurotoxin and exposure should be avoided where possible.
Solution? Handle carefully to avoid breakages and follow these guidelines for clean up if you do break one. It’s also important to dispose of them properly.
6. Kids’ pyjamas.
Kids’ clothing, particularly pyjamas made from synthetic materials, are often treated with flame retardants. There is growing concern that these chemical compounds are suspected carcinogens and neurotoxicants. Unfortunately fire retardants can also be present in bedding and furniture too.
Solution? Look for clothes without the flame retardant or choose organic clothing for your kids.
Did you know about these toxins? Where else have you found hidden toxins?
Wow Sonia, I did not know that about teabags possibly being plastic! I need to dig my stainless steel stick out again 🙂
You know the new pyramid bags they have now? They feel silky but are actually plastic. 🙁
I buy organic tea, but what about the bags? thanks for the tip, off to check!
Some of the organic ones are in plastic too! What a bummer hey!
Hi Sonia
Are non-stick baking sheets ok or a no-no?
Thank you
Kay Horn
Hi Kay, do you mean silicon sheets?
Hi Sonia
I’m not sure. They just state non stick baking sheets and are made by WizBake. I’m based in South Africa so not sure if the company has products on the market there.
Hi Kay, I just did a bit of googling and the Wizbake website says it’s coated with PTFE (and guess what PTFE is in – Teflon!) http://www.cofab.co.za/baking_sheets.htm
What do you recommend for baking then if baking paper is also no good?
Or do you get ‘safe’ baking paper?
Silicon cookware is safe is it?
Thank you!
I use the If You Care range (link in the post) as it is unbleached and doesn’t have the teflon stuff – can you get that brand over there? I’m still in two minds about silicon – some people say it’s okay and others don’t – so I just steer clear.
No unfortunately not.
I use one disposable nappy a day for overnight, but considering my baby is in it for 12 hours it is time to make the change to cloth nappies overnight as well! Thank you.
It’s just scary. I don’t know why they allow all the chemicals in them! 🙁
WOW I love this and it has really reminded me about the health and well-being journey I started and why I started it. I get so caught up in particular things for my health that I then forget about other things that are just as important. I wouldn’t have even thought about floss or pjs as being bad or dangerous. I am so glad I have read this now. Thank you so much Sonia 🙂
It’s almost to the point where we have to question everything in our lives!!
Excellent article, and a really important one. I forgot about the tea bags, thanks for the reminder, although I do mostly use my stainless steel thingo too. I too stay away from silicone, it smells when you wash it with hot water so I figured it can’t be healthy to cook on. Everyone should look into plastic containers. There are some that leach and others that supposedly don’t ,which one’s can we trust?
Hi Linda – I just try to avoid plastic all together. As well as BPA, it’s now emerging we need to be careful of other components!
So glad I found this article. It’s scary stuff isn’t it??
Yes! You really have to question everything you buy these days.
Loved reading this 🙂
Did you also know new clothing is treated with carcinogenic chemicals to keep them from creasing and soiling. We never wear new clothes before repeated washing and airing outside.
Yes! It’s terrible isn’t it?