
Poisonous items are everywhere, even in your home. Most of us feel secure in the knowledge that our homes are relatively safe and free from danger, which is always important whether you have children or not. However, more than 33 million people suffer illness or injury due to household products many of us don’t think twice about. Read on to find out learn about 12 poisonous items you might have in your home.
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Mothballs
They seem innocuous to most, but mothballs are actually dangerous household items. There are two different types of mothballs. One is composed of a chemical called paradichlorobenzene and the other of a chemical called naphthalene. The former can cause cancer in animals and the latter destroys red blood cells with prolonged exposure, in addition to causing illness such as vomiting and diarrhea.
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Pesticides
You know they’re poisonous and dangerous, but do you realize that the traps you leave in the garage for ants or the ones you have out for rats contain pesticides that can be harmful or even fatal to those exposed to it? They’re particularly dangerous when in the hands of small children as they contain high levels of toxins.
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Pressed Wood
Everything from your paneling to your particle board accessories use a resin that contains a chemical by the name of urea-formaldehyde, which causes severe health issues. This might include everything from watery eyes to asthma attacks, to difficulty breathing and even burning of the throat and eyes. Newer pressed wood is not as dangerous as older pressed wood, but it’s all poisonous over time.
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Carpet
If you have newer carpeting in your home, you might have something called volatile organic compounds in it used in carpet installation. It’s in the form of glue and dyes, which are unhealthy in large concentrations. This is typically most dangerous in the few days following installation as it tends to fade away after that amount of time.
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Laser Printers
Really, your laser printer is actually filled with toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds and ozone particulates. When you are exposed to these chemicals regularly, they can cause you to develop lung disease and heart disease. Not all laser printers contain these chemicals, but many do. Check the fine print on your printer prior to using it again and consider replacing it if need be.
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Lead Paint
Prior to 1978, most homes and office buildings were painted with lead-based paint, which we now know is highly toxic and very dangerous. However, some paints contain a very low concentration of lead even today, which can be very dangerous and poisonous, particularly to small children. If you suspect you have lead-based paint – even if the concentration is low – in your home, have it professionally taken care of to prevent poisoning.
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Air Fresheners
We use them regularly to make our homes smell nice and rid them of unpleasant odors such as a trash can with a dirty diaper or to mask the smell of an unfortunate failure in the kitchen. However, many air fresheners contain a chemical by the name of ethylene-based glycol ethers and terpenes. Additionally, some air fresheners contain the same chemicals found in mothballs, which are known to lead to many health issues.
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Baby Bottles
This is perhaps one of the scariest poisons in your household. If you have a baby, you probably use a bottle on occasion unless you nurse exclusively. Many bottles are made from something called polycarbonate plastics, which contain a chemical called BPA. BPA is similar to estrogen. This means that it’s a hormone disruptor and can interfere with your children’s natural hormones. If you’re not sure whether or not your type of bottle is BPA-free, you can easily look it up and replace them with BPA-free bottles almost anywhere.
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Flame Retardants
If you have a mattress, upholstery or even circuit boards that are flame retardant, they probably contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers. These are highly toxic to those who come into contact with them regularly. They have been linked to issues such as memory loss, low-sperm count and even thyroid issues. Some studies believe that this chemical is carcinogenic, though there are not enough studies in effect to prove whether or not this information is accurate.
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Beauty Products
You use beauty products on your skin and your hair, but they can be poisonous. Phthalates is a chemical found in man hair sprays, shampoos and deodorants. They’re designed to bind color and fragrance to create the sweet stuff you like to use, but they’re also similar to BPA. They’re a hormone-type chemical that can interfere with your own natural hormones, causing health issues you might not recognize for many years.
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Cleaners
Of course many household cleaners contain chemicals, but many of them are not harmful to you in small doses such as the ones you use while cleaning. However, many homeowners take it upon themselves to mix their household cleaning products. This is exceptionally dangerous. Mixing cleaning products can actually cause chemicals in individual products to react to other products, which can cause extreme coughing fits as it poisons the air you breathe.
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Mouthwash
When consumed by children, mouthwash can be highly poisonous. It contains several chemicals too strong for a child to digest properly – or even for an adult to digest properly, which is why it is recommended that you do not swallow mouthwash. Be sure this chemical is kept out of reach of children to ensure they are not accidently poisoned.
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