Scientists are now realizing that
everyday items and the chemicals found in household goods are more hazardous
than previously assumed. Since health and wellness is not simply about diet and
exercise, but also about limiting exposure to these hazardous items. It’s a
good idea to become aware of them, and eliminate them whenever possible.
Adhesives-Many different types of glues and adhesives are used in household and workshop projects, but a number of these (including rubber cement and epoxy) contain solvents that will contaminate the environment so don’t toss them in the trash. Disposal instructions are printed right on their containers and may involve opening the lid to let the product dry completely before taking it to a hazardous waste collection center.
Air
fresheners-Like cleaning products, air fresheners help keep our homes
nice, but when used excessively (or in unventilated area) they release toxic
levels of pollutants. Having air fresheners around your home shouldn’t make you
sick, but you must ensure the area is ventilated to stop the toxic chemicals,
such as ethylene-based glycol ethers and paradichlorobenzene from circulating
through the air and adversely impacting your health.
Antiperspirants-Most people
wear antiperspirant to avoid odor but one of the “sweat-blocking ingredients”
found in many antiperspirants is aluminum. In recent years questions have
been raised about whether the aluminum in antiperspirants can contribute to the
development of breast cancer. While the studies are
inconclusive the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does require a
warning label on all antiperspirants.
Automotive
Fluids-If you’re handy at working on
cars, you can save money by changing your automobile’s oil and antifreeze, but
dumping those liquids on the ground can contaminate the soil and poison animals.
Pour the fluid into a large plastic bucket with a fitted lid, and then call an
auto repair shop, which can safely dispose of it for you typically for a small
fee.
Baby
care products-The flame-retardants used in some baby care products like
high chairs, cribs, and strollers can leak toxic chemicals. The chemicals from flame-retardants
include bromine and chlorine which have been linked to a number of sexual and
neurological disorders.
Broken
Light Bulbs-Not all types of broken light
bulbs present a hazard, but compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), black lights,
tanning bulbs, and the bulbs used in bug zappers contain mercury vapor. If you
break one, don’t vacuum it up—instead, air out the room for 5 to 10 minutes,
then pick up the large pieces and put them in a glass jar, and use sticky tape
to pick up the tiny shards. Put the used sticky tape and any other light bulb
debris in the jar, secure it with a lid, then put the jar in a sealed plastic
bag and take it to a hazardous waste collection center.
Bug
sprays-Bug killers should be avoided inside (and ideally outside)
of your house as researchers have linked the insecticides to neurological
damage in children. Wherever possible combat an indoor bug problem by cleaning
up crumbs and sealing food in containers.
Canned
food-Bisphenol A (BPA) found in most canned food containers, is a
hormone-disrupting chemical linked to male infertility, heart disease, and
diabetes. Although some manufacturers are phasing the chemical out of their
cans, it’s not clear if the replacements are totally safe either. If possible,
opt for fresh or frozen foods.
Cell
phones-There has been a surge in radiofrequency (RF) exposure from
wireless devices over the last decade, which has led to a huge increase in
reports of diseases related to electromagnetic field and RF exposure. RF
exposure has been linked with a wide variety of diseases such as cancer, immune
dysfunction, neurological disease and reproductive disorders.
There is
no conclusive scientific evidence linking smartphones to these diseases. Your
phone still contains lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium, which are all
potentially harmful in large doses so please be sure to dispose of your old
phone in the proper manner.
Cleaning
products-You are probably aware that many of the cleaning products you
use every day have harmful chemicals in them, but you likely don’t think there
is much alternative. However, natural products like baking soda, soap
powder, lemon, and hot water often work just as well without covering your home
in toxic chemicals. Next time you are shopping for cleaning products check
for chemical ingredients such as phthalates and chemical surfactants, and then
consider a more natural alternative.
Corn
and soybeans-Roundup affects defensive enzymes our bodies use to keep us
healthy and Roundup Ready Crops (RR Crops) are genetically engineered crops
that have their DNA altered to allow them to withstand the herbicide–therefore
they should be avoided. These crops include items such as corn and soybeans;
it’s always better to buy organic.
Cosmetics-The
average person applies between six and 12 cosmetic items per day and most of
these will include toxic chemicals that are potentially harmful to you. It’s
always a good idea to look for cosmetics that are free of synthetic fragrances,
are mineral-based, or are made from natural oils. Buying organic products will
greatly reduce your exposure to toxins.
Damp
Rags (Used to Apply Stain)-You
probably know you shouldn’t throw away partially used cans of paint or wood
stain, but you may not know that it's dangerous merely to put rags that are
damp from stain in the trash. The chemicals in wood stain are highly flammable,
and the damp rags can spontaneously combust if they’re thrown away while
they’re still wet. Before you can safely throw them away, you must first spread
them out to dry.
Desktop
computers, monitors, and laptops-The presence of the same toxic substances can be found in
well-known brand laptops, but many people are also concerned about
the potentially dangerous electromagnetic field (EMF) generated by your
screen and machine, which could be seriously damaging to your
health. While it’s important to note that there have been no conclusive
scientific evidence linking laptops and desktops to these diseases, it’s
also prudent to have a digital detox every so often and walk away from your
screen.
As
computer monitors get larger, cheaper, and lighter, upgrades become more
tempting—and frequent. But that old monitor you'll be discarding contains heavy
metals that can contaminate landfills. In some communities, it may even be
illegal to toss a monitor in the trash. Look for a local recycling center that
will take it. As an alternative, take it to a Best Buy store where in most
states they'll accept old computer monitors.
Dry-cleaned
clothes-While it may be more convenient to drop your clothing off
with a dry cleaner, the cleaning chemical they use is usually perchloroethylene (PCE). It is classified as a probable carcinogen and
has been linked to liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. Many
states and cities are phasing out PCE, but it is still widely used in others.
Fabric
softeners-Softeners work by coating your clothes with a thin
layer of potentially toxic chemicals, such as quaternary ammonium salts. These
can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, and headaches.
Leftover
Pesticides-The pesticide you use to control
unwanted critters in your yard has an expiration date, after which it’s not as
effective. It shouldn’t go in the trash. Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687),
go to earth911.com,
or contact your State Health and Environmental Agency for product-specific disposal instructions.
Mattresses-Many
mattresses have high levels of a potentially harmful compound called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
The health problems associated with PBDE exposure include brain and
reproductive damage, decreased sperm quality, and thyroid problems, and this is
particularly worrying since we spend a third of our lives in bed. PBDEs have
been banned in Canada and several US states, so it’s a good idea check your
mattress. If it has high levels of this toxic substance it would be
prudent to invest in a new one.
Nail
Polish Remover-Nail polish remover contains
acetone, which emits highly flammable vapors. To reduce the risk of fire, allow
saturated cotton balls and swabs to dry completely before throwing them away.
Place used bottles and jars that contained nail polish remover in a separate
plastic bag, tie the top closed, and then throw the bag in the trash.
Non-stick
cookware-While non-stick cookware can save you some cleaning
time, it comes at a cost. At high temperatures the polytetrafluoroethylene that
makes Teflon non-sticky gives off a toxic gas that has been linked to
reproductive problems and other health issues. It’s always best to
opt for stainless steel or iron skillets.
Old
Thermostats-The thermostat is another common
item that contains mercury so it should never go in the trash. Newer digital
thermostats don’t pose a problem, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
if you’re replacing an old one that has a tubular glass “tilt switch,” you’ll
need to take it to a local hazardous waste collection center.
Old
Tires-After you replace your car's
tires, don’t even consider dumping the worn-out ones in the landfill. Many
landfills have banned tires because they take up so much space and don't
biodegrade. As well, their shape makes them difficult to bury, and they're great
breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Even worse is the prospect of a tire fire in a
landfill, which releases toxic chemicals into the air and is difficult to
extinguish. Be a good citizen and check out your state’s scrap tire program to find out where you can dispose of old tires legally.
Perfumes-Potentially
hazardous chemicals can be commonly found in fragrances. Toxic chemicals like
benzaldehyde, camphor, ethyl acetate, benzyl acetate, linalool, acetone and
methylene chloride can, when inhaled, cause dizziness, nausea, drowsiness,
irritation to throat, eyes, skin, and lungs, kidney damage, and headaches.
Plastic
food and drink containers-Many plastic containers are made from chemicals such as
phthalates, which can interfere with the body’s endocrine system to produce
adverse developmental, reproductive, and neurological effects in humans and
since the plastic breaks down over time it can cause the release of these
dangerous chemicals into your food.
Switch to glass
containers wherever possible. We’re all aware by now that
plastic bottles aren’t great for the environment, but they can
also leak toxic chemicals into your drink. Most bottles are now BPA-free,
which is a step in the right direction. That isn’t the only harmful
chemical in plastic so it’s always safer to use a glass if you can.
Printer
Ink Cartridges-While printer ink itself isn’t
toxic, the plastic cartridges the ink comes in aren't biodegradable; they'll
take up space in the landfill for up to 1,000 years before they finally
decompose. Fortunately, safely disposing of ink cartridges is pretty simple.
Many retail stores, including Walgreens, Office Depot, and Staples, will
recycle them for you.
Propane
Cylinders-Used to power things like camp
stoves and personal-size outdoor heaters, small one-pound propane cylinders
should be emptied completely, punctured with a nail or a screwdriver (if
required by your local recycling center), and then added to the tin storage
bin. If, however, a cylinder is still partially full, drop it off at your local
hazardous waste collection center.
Rechargeable
Batteries-Found in cell phones, laptops,
power tools, and even some toys, rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals
such as lead and cadmium as well as a host of chemicals that can pollute the
environment and groundwater if they’re buried with other trash.
When you’re done with a
rechargeable battery, put it in a sealed plastic bag and then call your local
trash authority to find out where you should take it for disposal. Keep in mind
that Staples and Home Depot stores will usually take rechargeable batteries in
most states.
Shower
curtains-Phthalates
are sometimes used to soften the plastic that goes in shower
curtains. Phthalates has been associated with causing harmful effects in children and
impacting brain functions, like learning and memory.
Some
Old Medications-Some medications, including
OxyContin and fentanyl, can result in injury or death if taken by a person
other than the one they were prescribed for, so never throw them in the trash
where someone could dig them out or a pet could ingest them. Call your local
pharmacy or police station to ask if they have a take-back program. If they
don’t, check out the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Flush List to find out which medications you should immediately flush if no
take-back options are available.
Thermometers-Mercury thermometers have been phased out because
of the element's toxicity, but you may still have one in your home. Rather than
tossing it in the trash where there’s a chance it could break and release its
mercury, check with your local health department, pharmacy, or doctor’s office,
some of which will offer a mercury-free thermometer in exchange for your old
one.
TV and
games consoles-Phthalates are found in the power cords of devices
and controller cables of game consoles, and flame retardants (BFRs) that
have been linked to impaired brain development can be found in circuit
boards and casings.
Vintage
Shoes (with Flashing Lights)-They once
were all the rage, but if you still have a pair of athletic shoes made before
1997 that have built-in lights that flash with every step, they may contain
mercury. Don’t toss them out instead take them to a hazardous waste collection
center.
“There is no such thing as away. When we throw
anything away, it must go somewhere.” (Annie Leonard)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“15 Items You Probably Didn’t Know Were
Hazardous Waste” by Glenda Taylor
· “20 Household Products That Could
Be Dangerous” By Sarah Crow
·
“20 Toxic Things You Probably Use Every Day” by Sy Ndes
·
“Polybrominated diphenyl ethers” from Wikipedia
·
“What Is BPA and Why Is It Bad for You?” by healthline
·
www.epa.gov
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