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10 Cancer-Causers to Remove From Your Home

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10 Cancer-Causers to Remove From Your Home

Given poor government regulation, many of the cleaning products available on the market contain “everyday” carcinogens such as formaldehyde, nitrobenzene, methylene chloride, and napthelene, as well as reproductive toxins and hormone disruptors. Not to mention other ingredients that cause liver, kidney and brain damage, allergies and asthma. I really am a happy person–not your basic Eeyore type, but toxic cleaning products seriously get my goat. One of the best things you can do to detox your home is to create one of Annie’s simple non-toxic cleaning kits to use–most of the ingredients you probably already have on hand.

But there are a host of products, other than those used for basic cleaning, that often contain carcinogenics. This list, from Cancer: 101 Solutions to a Preventable Epidemic (New Society Publishers, 2007) by Liz Armstrong et al, cautions against 10 household products, in addition to cleaners, that you should avoid having in your house.

1. Air fresheners: Often contain napthelene and formaldehyde. Try zeolite or natural fragrances from essential oils. For more information, see Easy Greening: Air Fresheners.

2. Art supplies: Epoxy and rubber cement glues, acrylic paints and solvents, and permanent markers often contain carcinogens. For more information, see Arts and Crafts: Make it Safe.

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Read more: Children, Crafts & Hobbies, General Health, Health & Safety, Home, Leukemia, Natural Pest Control, Non-Toxic Cleaning, Pests, , ,

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Melissa Breyer

Melissa Breyer is a writer and editor with a background in sustainable living, specializing in food, science and design. She is the co-author of True Food (National Geographic) and has edited and written for regional and international books and periodicals, including The New York Times Magazine. Melissa lives in Brooklyn, NY.

498 comments

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2:34AM PDT on Jun 18, 2013

Thank you :)

10:33AM PDT on Jun 10, 2013

very informative thx Styrofoam needs to be listed. If you heat food in styrofoam it releases a toxic fume in microwave. So check on your elderly friends as many recieve meals in styrofoam and check to see they are trans it to something else if they are using a microwave.

10:16AM PDT on Jun 10, 2013

1. Air fresheners as in plug-ins, cones, sprays, etc? They smell awful and give me a headache. Blech. I burn incense, essential oils, and yes, scented canndles.

2. I use epoxy for home repairs, not as a recreational material. And I will continuw to use it when it's the best adhesive for the job.

3. Automotive supplies? Who keeps motor oil, antifreeze, and washer fluid in random locations around the house?

4. Candles. Beeswax is great - if you can find it. Not every store carries them, and ordering them online I worry about melting during shipping.

5. Carpet shampoo? NO CARPET was an absolute requirement when I bought my house. The realtor thought I was crazy when at one house she showed us with brand new white carpet I asked what was under it because I was planning to rip it out before we moved in if we bought the place. I don't shampoo furniture.

6. Dry cleaning? Forget it. I refuse to own clothing that can't go in the washing machine.

6:22AM PDT on Jun 6, 2013

Thanks!

6:15PM PDT on Jun 2, 2013

thank you

7:55AM PDT on May 30, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

11:35PM PDT on May 26, 2013

Good to know. Thanks for sharing!

5:34PM PDT on May 26, 2013

Thanks for share! :)

11:35AM PDT on May 26, 2013

TY

9:38AM PDT on May 19, 2013

thank you for sharing

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