15 Things in Your Home That Can Cause Cancer

We waste hours, even days, making sure our home is clean.

Although you may think that germs and bacteria are the biggest enemies of your family when it comes to housing, it seems that certain objects in your home can cause much more serious illnesses, such as cancer.

The sofa, the refrigerator, and even that new and expensive kitchen countertop you just ordered may contain substances known to cause cancer. Are you curious about the 15 things in your house that can make you sick with cancer?

The couch

Many sofas, mattresses, and other fluffy furniture are treated with TDCIPP, a substance known to cause cancer. TDCIPP was one of the substances found in the blood of all participants in a study conducted by Duke University in 2013.

It is also in the top 10 chemicals found in house dust, according to the same study. To be safe, it replaces all furniture of this type purchased before 2013, the year in which many manufacturers removed this substance from the production process.

Curtains and rugs

Cadmium is a carcinogen found in cigarette smoke. If you smoke at home, cadmium and other substances found in cigarette smoke can remain in objects with soft surfaces, such as curtains, drapes, and carpets, even after the smell of cigarettes disappears.

Leather armchair

Chromium is a carcinogen found in leather goods in the home, in wooden furniture, in certain paints and pigments used in textiles and cement.

To get an idea of ​​the presence of this substance in your home, find out that a study in Denmark concluded that half of the imported leather shoes contain chromium.

Garden

Dioxin is a carcinogen found in abundance in soil and water. You can also find it in the dust on the shelves, the dirt on the floor, and the residue on the vegetables.

To protect yourself from this substance, try to wear gloves when you have activity in the garden and wash before entering the house. Also, avoid burning garbage in the garden.

The old refrigerator

According to cancer.org, PCBs are electrical equipment that contains carcinogens and is found in old home appliances and electrical transformers.

Although these facilities have been phased out in many countries, they still exist in some developed countries. Old refrigerators still rely on these facilities and can make you sick with cancer.

Cleaning products

Formaldehyde is a carcinogen found in your home in food, cosmetics, and many cleaning products (dishwashing detergent, laundry conditioner, and carpet cleaner), paint, insulation, and materials.

Moreover, you can even inhale it when you breathe smoke from gas-fired appliances or the fireplace. Try to look at the list of ingredients before buying these products and make sure they do not contain formaldehyde.

The wardrobe

One of the most commonly used chemicals in dry cleaners is perchloroethylene (PERC), a carcinogen that builds up in the closet. You can also find it in wood cleaning products, nail polishes, and shoe cleaning products.

Wear gloves when creaming your shoes or wiping your furniture. If you take your clothes to the laundry, make sure they are not cleaned with PERC.

Vinyl blinds and floor

Another substance is known to cause cancer is phthalates. They can affect fertility and are found in vinyl flooring, shower curtain, synthetic leather, blinds, wallpaper, and other things that are made of vinyl.

It is also found in plastic-wrapped food.

Chicken and rice

Everyone knows that arsenic is poisonous, but few people know that in a small amount it is carcinogenic.

Arsenic is found in foods you eat regularly, including chicken, rice, and fruit juices, as well as in degreasing products, paint, furniture wax, glue, and lubricants. Try to eat only organic chicken and quality rice.

The insulation of the house

Asbestos has been used for centuries to insulate the house and is still found in some older homes. When the insulation begins to deteriorate, the fibers are carried by air.

They can easily stick to clothes and are dangerous for construction workers. They can also be brought home.

Plastic glasses

Styrene is known as a carcinogen found all over the world and is used in the production of glasses, plates, cutlery, and plastic bags.

Books from the library

According to loc.gov, library books, museum artifacts, and medical supplies are sterilized and smoked with ethylene oxide, a potentially carcinogenic substance.

These items can only endanger your health if you work with them for a long time.

Poison for weeds

Nobody wants a garden full of weeds. But if you have decided to eliminate them with a herbicide containing glyphosate, there is a high risk of cancer. Instead of spraying the plants with this substance, it is better to remove them manually.

Insect spray

We all know how unpleasant mosquito bites or the presence of flies on your body can be. However, if you remove them with an insect spray, you are more at risk for cancer. These chemical pesticides are very toxic and enter the body through the skin. Choose natural alternatives to keep insects at bay.

Granite kitchen countertop

Radon is formed naturally by the radioactive decomposition of uranium from rocks and soil. Radon is known to have a carcinogenic effect, especially among smokers.

If you live in an area where the amount of uranium is high, you run the risk of being exposed to large amounts of radon. The kitchen worktop is also a source of radon.