Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Are you aware of the dangerous chemicals in your home? Businesses hide toxic chemicals in places you wouldn’t expect to find them. Find out more.
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Dangerous Chemicals in Your Home
Sure, we all know that there are probably chemicals in the garage, maybe in our garden shed, and possibly in our household cleaners. Did you know that you can also find them in toys and other children’s products, personal care items, furniture, electronics, food and beverage containers, building materials, fabrics, and car interiors?
These chemicals are probably in your home right now. You need to know what they are.
What are harmful chemicals found in a home?
There are more than 80,000 chemicals available in the United States that have never been fully tested for their toxic effects on our health and environment.
Scientists have linked exposure to toxic chemicals to many health risks including Cancer, Alzheimer’s, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and reproductive problems.
What chemicals should be avoided at home?
The government past the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976. But, unlike other major environmental laws, has never been updated. As it currently stands today, tens of thousands of potentially harmful chemicals continue to be used in the marketplace since the 1970’s without proper testing and without disclosure by the companies that produce them.
Here are 6 common household chemicals. You can find them in most homes.
- Drain cleaners
- Bleach
- Antifreeze
- Air Fresheners
- Ammonia
- Carpet cleaners
This is completely unacceptable. If a product in my home contains a toxic chemical, I want to know about it. I have the right to be aware so that I can choose to limit exposure.
Of the 80,000 synthetic chemicals introduced into the market since the Toxic Substances Control Act was passed in 1976, the EPA has required testing on less than 10%. There are thousands of these products on the market today.
Safer alternatives
So, I try to take little steps to reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals. You can use toxin free products to be more eco-friendly. When I buy cleaners, I make sure to choose all natural cleaners. I look for personal care products that use high quality natural ingredients.
Plus, I garden starting with organic plants using soil that hasn’t had dangerous chemicals added to it. And, I try to avoid bringing chemicals into the house in any form.
I want these dangerous chemicals to be fully tested before being used in products to determine the impact on people as well as our environment. So, I think that products should be identified prominently as having toxic chemicals once they have been approved. And, I don’t want to have to search the tiny print to find it.
How to help remove chemicals from homes
I’ve teamed up with Seventh Generation to help spread awareness about the importance of chemical reform in the United States. Seventh Generation has worked for 25 years toward creating a healthy home by delivering plant derived products using bio-based ingredients.
You can help Seventh Generation reach its goal of collecting 100,000 Signatures by April 24th by signing the petition for chemical reform and urging your friends and family to do the same!
How can I help?
This project is over. But, you can still contact your local government. Ask them to help bring awareness to this topic. Or, you can start your own campaign.
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
This is a great cause….it is important for us to realize the types of products we are using in our homes
That is so true, Diane! Always look at the label.
When I noticed my then 2 year old daughter would wheeze right after I used cleaning products I switched to Seventh generation and other natural cleaning products. What a world of a difference!!
I’m sure! That must have been so scary!
I love Seventh Generation products. We work hard to eliminate the chemical exposure for our children.
Us too, Amanda! It’s very important to me!
This is so important to be aware of. We try to be aware of chemicals in the products we use and limit as much as possible.
That really is a great way to handle it!
It’s terrifying to think that it could be leading to some of these things!
I totally agree, Liz! It is scary!
Thanks for sharing this! I’ll sign!
Thank you so much, Emily!
I can totally get behind this. Going to sign petition.
That is so great, Nancy, thank you!
Love this brand and use them all the time from cleaners to diapers!
They are definitely one of our favorites too!
They just did a study here in Maine on 25 people, where they tested them for chemicals commonly found in consumer products. The results were really quite astounding, and it’s very scary to think about what we put into our bodies on a daily basis, without even being aware of it. Here is the article if you are interested in reading it: http://bangordailynews.com/2014/03/18/health/tests-of-25-mainers-find-high-levels-of-chemicals-used-in-plastics/?ref=search
Wow that really is scary, Mindy! Great article!
We try to use natural cleaners whenever we can! It’s a necessity for me since I’m allergic to many of the harsher chemicals and their scents!
That is true for us too, Linette! Natural is definitely better.
The pictures in this post are so darn cute! The number of chemicals everywhere is so scary. I am glad there is awareness being raised about such an important subject!
Me too, Michele! I hope that they reach their goals with the petition.
It is so crazy how much toxins are in everything we use these days. If we don’t change things now, then what will our children be facing? Good cause.
That is so true. I don’t even want to think what it will be like in 20 or 50 years!
It really is scary how we’re all subjected to these numerous chemicals and toxins on a daily basis, especially without our knowledge! Just like everything else, education on this subject is key to helping change it!
I agree, Kayla. Hopefully this post has helped to get the word out!
WOW.. your post truly was an eye opener.. I had NOOOOO idea… I’ve heard many good things about Seventh Generation.. now even more I need to check out their products…
Definitely, Melanie. It’s scary to think how many chemicals may be in our homes!
Ive used some ‘green’ cleaners with little success in getting the job done. I have used Seventh Generation laundry detergent though, and it did a bang up job cleaning our clothes!
I always have great luck with Seventh Generation products. I love their dish liquid!
I have been trying to switch to all natural cleaners and products whenever possible. My kids have asthma and allergies so they are especially sensitive to chemicals.
We have asthma and allergies here too and have the same sensitivity!
Ugh, that’s so scary! Makes me really want to reevaluate what we have in this house.
I totally agree, Jennifer! It’s very scary!
I love Seventh Generation products!! We use their dish soap and laundry care items.
We do too! I love all of their lavender scented products!
That statistic in the first image is startling. I use a lot of natural products, but need to use more.
It really is frightening that we are exposed to that many chemicals!
That is a scary statistic (exposure to 300 toxins before birth). But there are so many chemicals around us that we don’t even realize it. This is definitely an important message to share, thank you. Love Seventh Generation products!
I know! I was totally shocked when I saw that. It’s so important to get the word out!
We work hard to eliminate a lot of chemicals from our home. All our cleaners are natural and when possible and when we can find a great brand that works as well as the chemical counter part; we immediately switch over.
We do the same thing, Amber. We are slowly removing everything that is not eco-friendly from our home. It’s so important.
I really love trying to use all natural products for cleaners in my home! I want my house to be clean and of course safe!!
Totally, Kelsey! That’s exactly how I feel!