It’s a well-known fact that many everyday products cause cancer. From the chemicals in our food to the air we breathe, it seems there’s no escaping these harmful substances.
For example, did you know that microwave popcorn bags contain diacetyl, an ingredient linked to lung disease? Or that some perfumes and body sprays contain hormone-disrupting phthalates? These are just two examples of how everyday products can cause cancer. Here are some more.
Hair Straighteners
You might be surprised to learn that your hair straightener is a cancer-causing agent. It’s true. The chemicals in many hair products can cause cancer and other health problems, but the one, in this case, is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is found in many cosmetic products, including hair straighteners, which women commonly use to keep their locks looking sleek and smooth.
The long-term effects of using these products have yet to be studied extensively. However, some studies have shown a correlation between formaldehyde exposure and uterine cancer, like the one by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). As it stands now, using these products with caution should be enough for most people.
In case you were exposed to these chemicals and got cancer. If so, filing a hair straightener cancer lawsuit may assist you in obtaining financial compensation for your medical costs and other losses. You must speak with a product liability attorney to know if your claim is legitimate.
Nail Polish
The Grand View Research states that the global beauty products market, including nail products, was worth over $482 billion in 2021. But the most common ingredient found in nail polish is acetone. This chemical dissolves other ingredients that make up the nail polish, including oil and plasticizers. Acetone can cause cancer if inhaled for long periods, but it may also cause other health problems. For example, it can irritate your skin and eyes and make them red or inflamed, causing pain.
There are many different types of chemicals used in nail polish, and acetone is just one of them. Some brands contain formaldehyde-based compounds or even lead acetate. While these ingredients are less common than acetone, they still exist in some nail polish brands.
Laundry Detergent Pods
Laundry detergent pods may be convenient for your household but can be very dangerous. According to America’s Poison Centers, there were around 9,595 cases related to laundry detergent pod exposure in children 5 and younger as of December 31st, 2022.
The chemicals in laundry pods are known to cause cancer and other health issues. While you might think you’re safe from exposure if you only use the pods directly on your clothes, this is not the case.
Even more problematic than these exterior exposures is that many consumers fail to read warning labels before opening a container of laundry detergent pod contents to add them to their washing machines. This oversight can result in directly ingesting harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, which has been linked with leukemia, among other serious illnesses, at high levels of exposure over time.
Shampoo
You might be shocked to learn that the shampoo you use to keep your hair clean and shiny is a mixture of chemicals. Some of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, while others have not yet been studied enough to determine their safety or if they pose any risk at all.
The ingredients list on most shampoos includes something called “phthalates.” Phthalates have been linked with liver cancer and testicular damage in mice, but they haven’t been studied much in humans. The same goes for parabens, the preservatives found in most shampoo formulas, which some research has shown can interfere with reproduction hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
There’s also no oversight from the FDA regarding these chemicals. They’re not regulated because they aren’t considered “ingredients” but “adjuvants.”
Deodorant
Deodorant is one of the most common personal care products, and you probably use it daily. Unfortunately, many deodorants contain harmful chemicals that are known to cause cancer.
The most common chemical in deodorant is aluminum, which has been linked to breast cancer. A study published in the journal Cancer Causes Control found that women who used antiperspirants (which contain aluminum) had a 10 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who didn’t use them.
There are alternatives to aluminum-based deodorants, natural deodorants made from ingredients such as coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils can help control odor without putting your health at risk.
You Should Be Aware of the Chemicals That Are in Your Everyday Products
You should be aware of the chemicals that are in your everyday products. The chemicals in your everyday products, such as shampoo, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies, can cause cancer. Chemicals that may be linked to cancer include phthalates and parabens. These two groups of chemicals are common ingredients in many types of cosmetics and personal care products.
Chemicals can enter the body when you use these items by being absorbed through the skin or inhaled through your lungs as a vapor. Ingesting them orally is another way they can enter the body because they are present on our hands after using personal care products or touching surfaces contaminated with these substances.
Some evidence suggests that exposure to certain phthalates may increase risk factors for breast cancer development. Excessive exposure to parabens has also been linked with increased risk factors for breast cancer development.
Conclusion
If you are worried about the chemicals in your everyday products, there are ways to avoid them. You can look at the ingredients and research whether they cause cancer. Also, try buying products made with natural ingredients instead of ones with lots of chemicals in them.