6 Dangerous Substances That Can Sneak Into Your House

If you are cautious about toxins renting space in your home, then you probably have done everything in your power to keep them out. You probably have decluttered, dusted, scrubbed, and swept the house inside out. You have transitioned to using green products only and even installed many live house plants. But even with all that effort, there still are some sneaky substances that can get into your house and potentially harm occupants. Somehow, contaminated products find their way in the air we breathe and in the most innocent-looking household items and products.

The fact that you cannot avoid everything toxic shouldn’t discourage you from minding about them. That is why we are exploring six toxic chemicals that can harm your health and your loved ones if they sneak into your home.

1. Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide gas emanates from the incomplete combustion of fuels. It is an odorless and colorless gas, making it nearly impossible to detect. When we inhale this gas, its molecules displace and replace oxygen molecules in the body and because we cannot live without oxygen, that occurrence leads to poisoning.

In a home, CO gas comes from the garage as well as from fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves, generators, and lawnmowers. There are also many materials that we burn in the fireplace- wood included- that produce carbon monoxide. The good news is that we can keep the effects of this harmful gas at the minimum by installing carbon monoxide detectors and alarms and keeping all fuel-burning devices well maintained at all times. By adding these types of detectors or any other type would increase the price of your house, in case you are thinking of selling it in the future. By hiring the right real estate agent, he/she would use these kinds of utilities and advertise the house in such a way that it would seem very attractive for potential buyers.

2. Bisphenols and Phthalates

If you use plastic bags or packaged products, then chances are you sneak in Phthalates into your home. These chemicals can also come from toys and personal-care products. On the other hand, BPA and other bisphenols are present in some food cans and recycled plastic. Although most food packaging companies in the US are no longer using BPA linings for their food cans, you can never be sure that the cans you bring home are 100% free from these chemicals. Avoid plastic at all costs.

3. Secondhand tobacco smoke

It doesn’t matter if the smoke is from cigarillos, and marijuana, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and vaping devices, or hookah. All secondhand smoke is extremely harmful to your health. Many people are only cautious about cigarette smoke, mostly due to the thorough anti-smoking sensitization programs that governments all over the world sponsor, but they forget that, primarily, it is tobacco that’s dangerous and not “cigarettes” per se. Everything that has tobacco in it is harmful. Note that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke as this substance contains up to 70 cancer-causing chemicals. If you love the smoke, please refrain from smoking in the house as that is tantamount to poisoning your loved ones.

4. Lead

Lead is extremely harmful to your vital organs if you swallow it. For young kids, it can damage their young brains and negatively affect their learning behavior. Some lead-caused health problems are actually fatal. In most cases, lead in the household comes from lead-based paints. When remodeling, especially when undertaking a bathroom remodeling, ensure that you use as minimal lead-based products as possible. And if you live in an old house whose paint is peeling off, you need to do something about it ASAP!

5. Ammonia

Most all-purpose cleaning products contain Ammonia. Think of the detergents we use on a daily basis, disinfectants we use in the kitchen, and most grease-cutting agents. All these contain Ammonia. There are also cleaning products in our households that contain more harmful substances such as sodium hypochlorite and ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate. These substances can damage your eyes, throat, and/or skin. When doing your next kitchen remodeling, ensure that you there is sufficient supply of fresh air from the exterior and that all cleaning products have their own shelve that is far away from food products.

6. Volatile organic compounds

Within a week of installing a new carpet in your home, you are at the risk of inhaling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These toxic substances can cause headaches and irritations when inhaled or when they come in contact with your skin.

Bottom line

To keep volatile organic compounds from your indoors, always renovate right, avoid heating plastic, and dilute indoor pollution by allowing as much fresh air as possible into the house. Also, be mindful of the new purchases that you make, be it carpets, food, mattresses, and so on. Some of these products can easily spell doom in your household via the chemicals they emit.