Our social media feeds are littered with hacks for “detoxifying” our homes, labeling everything from bed sheets to seed oils as bad for your health. Experts say it’s important to understand what the word “toxic” means and which substances in homes actually threaten your health.
“Toxins are any substances that can cause short-term or long-term health effects,” says Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family physician and Vice President of In-Office Care at One Medical. She adds that one of the challenges around establishing safety practices regarding potential toxins is that medical experts don’t always know at what level of exposure adverse effects may happen. “So we might know that X substance is known for causing cancer or dementia, but the problem is, it's not like people will get cancer or dementia if they're exposed to it one time for 10 minutes,” she explains.
Some chemicals in household products, however, can become harmful at certain levels and after repeated exposure. That's why it's important to minimize or clear out potentially toxic products in your home. Below, Dr. Peter Chai, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Bhuyan highlight six common household toxins that can harm your health.
1. Nonstick pans
Nonstick pans top both doctors’ lists. The majority of nonstick pans are equipped with a coating made of polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), “forever chemicals” that give this cookware its non-stick and water-resistant qualities. One study found that about 79% of nonstick pans contain PFAS, which have been connected with many negative health outcomes.
“When [these pans are] scratched or when they're cooked at really high heats, they can release the PTFE particles into foods,” explains Bhuyan. “People who use those regularly are consuming many different foods with PTFE particles, which has been linked to kidney cancers, thyroid cancers, and ovarian cancers.” She recommends swapping your nonstick pans for cast iron or ceramic ones instead. Even if there are no visible scratches on the pan, micro scratches may still leak PFAS chemicals into your food.
2. Scented candles
When you burn a scented candle, a chemical reaction occurs that emits gases that may have adverse health effects, says Bhuyan. “[Scented] candles [emit] VOCs, or volatile organic compounds,” she explains. In the short term, VOCs from candles—including benzene (a known carcinogen) and toluene (which is registered as a toxin with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)—may lead to throat irritation, dizziness, or headaches. But there are also long-term concerns associated with VOCs. “There's emerging research that shows those volatile organic compounds can potentially cause reproductive health issues like infertility,” says Bhuyan.
It’s worth noting that we need more population-level studies to establish a connection between VOCs and fertility issues. Chai says that candles are perfectly safe for people who aren’t allergic to fragrances, and some research bears that out. For example, a 2022 study found “no statistically significant associations” between burning candles in the home and increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory issues.
Still, other research paints a different picture. A 2015 study found that emissions from a strawberry-scented candle emitted formaldehyde (also known carcinogen) at 2,098 parts per billion, which is well beyond the range that is considered generally safe.
To be safe, Bhuyan recommends swapping your candles for essential oils. However, be aware that essential oils are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so look for a brand that makes pure oils without added ingredients.
3. Dryer sheets
Many commercial scented dryer sheets contain toxic chemicals such as benzyl acetate, ethanol, and chloroform. “In the short term, we see people who have allergic reactions or skin irritations to certain dryer sheets,” Bhuyan says, adding that the fragrance can also cause skin woes. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) also notes that scented laundry products can pollute the air in your home, which may result in respiratory issues like asthma as a result of these chemicals or fragrances, adds Bhuyan.
She recommends swapping your dryer sheets with wool dryer balls, which remove lint and soften the fabric of your clothes.
4. Dirty dozen fruits and veggies
By now, you’re probably familiar with the Dirty Dozen—the EWG's list of the 12 fruits and veggies most contaminated by pesticides. This year’s list included spinach, apples, nectarines, green beans, and strawberries (among others), and Bhuyan says this produce may be one of the most toxic things in your home.
Consuming these pesticides may affect your nervous system, endocrine system, or irritate the skin and/or eyes. Some classes of pesticides—which are used to keep pests from eating produce—may even contain carcinogens, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “You definitely need to rinse [this produce] to make sure we're not eating pesticides,” says Bhuyan. “I tell people that that rinsing with water is fine, but it doesn’t always remove all of the pesticides. You need to actually scrub it with your hands, or another alternative is soaking it in water with a bit of baking soda for one minute.”
5. Plastic containers
Plastic containers don’t just package up your leftovers; they contain Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical that has been used to make plastic since the 1950s. “What we're finding in the research is that [BPA] can either act like a hormone or it changes the way hormones impact our system,” explains Bhuyan. She adds that long-term, high exposure to BPA has been linked to early puberty in girls, fertility issues later in life, and even increased blood pressure.
Bhuyan’s fix is simple: Swap that plastic container out for glass, especially if you intend to use it to reheat food. The act of heating these containers allows this chemical to pass into your food, according to The Mayo Clinic.
6. Old tableware
Breaking out that classic family tableware may be on your agenda for the holiday season or a special occasion, but Chai recommends keeping it just as decor. Even though the federal government banned the use of lead paint in commercial products back in the 70s, many vintage plates, bowls, and serving platters contain this harmful chemical, which is known to damage your brain and vital organs. In kids, lead poisoning has been linked to developmental delays and learning disabilities. Lead exposure may even result in seizures, behavioral problems, and death. The FDA recommends testing questionable dishes for lead with a kit you can buy at most hardware stores.
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