Are These 7 Hidden Chemicals in Your Home Secretly Undermining Your Health?
The ways to avoid BPA are very similar to those to avoid microplastics: Opt for less plastic use in the kitchen, use more glass or ceramic products—especially when heating up foods and liquids—and use BPA-free products.
Flame retardants
Flame retardants coat everyday items, such as furniture, carpets, electronics, and baby products. These chemicals fall into one of two classes: organophosphates or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University found that exposure to organophosphates has been found to negatively affect the development of the nervous system.
Some research, including a study from the University of California, Riverside, suggests a possible association between PBDE exposure and autism risk, though further studies are needed to confirm this link. Avoiding exposure to these chemicals is difficult, but buying flame-retardant-free furniture and vacuuming and mopping frequently to remove dust containing flame retardants can help.
PFAS
PFAS never break down. More than 9,000 PFAS can be found in products from cosmetics to dental floss to nonstick cookware. PFAS are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to lower sperm count and an increased risk of cancer. To avoid these forever chemicals as much as possible, replace nonstick cookware with ceramic or cast iron pots and pans; use a water filter; and avoid textiles labeled “waterproof” or “stainproof”—including carpeting and furniture—that don’t also claim to be PFAS-free.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible. They are added to various products from nail polish to fast-food wrappers to commercial piping and tubing. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to an increased risk of fibroids, usually benign tumors composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue in the uterus.
A study published in 2022 from Northwestern University found that women exposed to PFAS had an increased risk of developing fibroids, which represent the most common tumor in reproductive-age women. Another study conducted by researchers from New York University and the University of Iowa found that phthalate exposure increased the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and all causes.
Mercury
Heavy metals such as mercury are found in Earth’s crust, but they become problematic when they enter the environment—such as in marine animals—through agricultural, industrial, and noncommercial processes. Mercury is a neurotoxin, and its effects on humans can be subtle or severe, depending on a person’s age and how long exposure lasts. While no data ties mercury to cancer, information is limited, and high doses have been found to increase several types of tumors in rodents.
Mercury’s effects are most salient in children. Unborn children could be exposed to mercury when their mother consumes fish or shellfish during pregnancy. Exposure to mercury in utero can affect young children’s thinking skills, memory, attention, and language development. The EPA is trying to limit mercury exposure through many avenues. It has established a limit of two parts per billion mercury in drinking water, implemented standards to reduce toxic emissions, and banned mercury from use in paint, among other measures.
Lead
Lead is a heavy metal found in faucets and pipes (which can in turn cause water contamination), paint, jewelry, and toys. It is particularly dangerous to babies and young children because of their small size and developing brains, as lead exposure negatively affects cognitive development.
Exposure has been linked to lower IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. It has also been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This issue is playing out in real time: In 2016, parents in Flint, Michigan, filed a class-action lawsuit against the state’s Department of Education, alleging that nearly 30,000 children have been exposed to this toxin, which has adversely affected their academic, social, and behavioral success.
According to the CDC, the best ways to protect children from lead exposure include having a licensed lead inspector examine your home, particularly before renovations; cleaning up dust from peeling paint, which may contain lead; and feeding children a healthy diet high in calcium, vitamin C, and iron.
Additional research by Emma Rubin. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Elisa Huang. Copy editing by Paris Close.
