When most people think about “carcinogens”, the term given to cancer-causing agents, they might think about heavy industrial waste or nuclear fallout or even things like cigarette smoke. They do not tend to think about materials or chemicals that might be lurking in their own homes which are known or suspected to cause cancer.
The sad fact is, though, that the modern home is full of potential danger, too, even when homeowners are really trying to be careful. There are steps people can take, though, to help achieve a cancer- free home. Some of those steps are outlined below.
Check for Radon
Radon gives no indication that it is present in the home. It has no color, no odor, no taste. And yet this gas, which can be naturally present in the ground due to the breakdown of uranium, can seep through cracks in the foundations and contaminate a house. It is a known carcinogen. It must be tested for either with a DIY kit or by a professional. If radon is detected, there are many steps that can be taken to seal the house off and make it safe again.
Switch out Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware is so much a part of the modern kitchen most people don’t even think about it. But this cookware contains perfluorinated compounds (PFC’s) within their coatings to help form that non-adhesive surface which is so convenient for making things like pancakes or fried eggs. However, these pans, when heated, can cause those PFC’s and other toxic gases to be released – right into the home. Consider investing in cookware made of cast iron or cookware with porcelain covering instead.
Switch to Natural Personal Products
Personal products like cosmetics, shampoos, deodorants and the like are notorious for containing ingredients that are known or suspected carcinogens and, at the very least, are extremely toxic. Many of these products contain ingredients like phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, petroleum by-products and formaldehyde. Make the switch to organic, natural-based products to avoid exposure to these toxins. They are not only safer, they are truly more effective beauty aids than their chemically-laden, artificial counterparts.
Canned Goods and Plastics
While products like canned goods and plastic ware (such as plastic wrap, baby bottles or microwave containers) are in probably every American home, they still present a real potential threat to human health. This is because they have sometimes high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) which is a suspected carcinogen but is also linked to neurological difficulties, especially in children. Consider switching to frozen foods and using glass containers instead to reduce exposure.
Some of these steps may seem labor-intensive. But they are well worth it, especially if homeowners succeed in making their houses safer for themselves and their children.
Sources: canceractive.com, showviral.com, mindbodygreen.com
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