X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out

3 min read
5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out

These carcinogenic products in your home might be putting your family at risk

We all know that we can prevent cancer by making healthy lifestyle choices like not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, and putting on sunscreen when we go out in the sun. But many of us don’t know that seemingly innocent objects are, in fact, cancer-causing household products that put our families at risk.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is caused by changes in a cell’s DNA. These changes can be hereditary. Other times, environmental factors come into play. Carcinogens don’t always cause cancer. The amount of exposure to the carcinogen, and that person’s genetic makeup are also factors.

‘Kids don’t have a complete metabolic system — they can’t process things the way adults do’

Kids, however, are especially sensitive to these carcinogens, as Dr. Kent Pinkerton explains to Grandparents. “Kids don’t have a complete metabolic system — they can’t process things the way adults do,” says Dr. Pinkerton. “Whatever is in the air, a child may have as many as 30 times greater exposure because of their size and their level of activity.”

This is precisely why parents should be extra careful about the chemicals that their kids come in contact with.

Here are some common household objects that contain known carcinogens, according to CheatSheet and Care2.

1. Air Fresheners

5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out

Image source: iStock

Most air fresheners — even the ones marked “all-natural” or “unscented” contain toxic or hazardous compounds that are known to cause cancer. A study from the University of Colorado found that some of the chemicals found in most air fresheners trigger tumour growth.

2. Cleaning Products

Watch out for alkylphenols, triclosan, and tetrachloroethylene. According to Breast Cancer Fund, these are chemicals that are commonly found in cleaning products that have been found to be carcinogenic.

3. Art Supplies

5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out

Image source: iStock

Superglue, acrylic paints, solvents, and permanent markers usually contain carcinogenic chemicals. Avoid hazardous chemicals by using water-based glues, paints, and markers instead.

4. Scented Candles

Most scented candles have the same carcinogenic properties of air fresheners. As an alternative, you can opt for beeswax candles that use cotton wicks.

5. Microwaves

5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out

Image source: iStock

Partner Stories
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them
Pregnancy 101: 6 Types of Pains and Ways to Manage Them

Some plastic materials contain chemicals that are endocrine disrupters. And these could lead to cancerous tumours. Though some plastic containers are safe to microwave food in, it’s best to err on the side of caution. According to Harvard University, you can transfer your food into a glass or ceramic container before microwaving to prevent plastics from contaminating your food. You also shouldn’t let plastic wrap touch your food during microwaving as it can melt.

 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Cristina Morales

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • 5 Common Cancer-Causing Household Products You Should Throw Out
Share:
  • Myths and Facts About Cancer-causing Household Items

    Myths and Facts About Cancer-causing Household Items

  • Cleaning Products As Bad For Lungs As Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day

    Cleaning Products As Bad For Lungs As Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day

  • 10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

    10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

app info
get app banner
  • Myths and Facts About Cancer-causing Household Items

    Myths and Facts About Cancer-causing Household Items

  • Cleaning Products As Bad For Lungs As Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day

    Cleaning Products As Bad For Lungs As Smoking 20 Cigarettes A Day

  • 10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

    10 Signs Your Husband is Cheating, According to a Former Mistress

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.