10 Cancer-Causing Products in Your Home

Cancer ranks third among the leading causes of death after infectious diseases and cardiovascular ones.

The disease accounts for 7 percent of annual deaths in the country, but you will be surprised by the many cancer-causing products you use daily in your home.

Unlike cigarettes which after the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 come with the "Smoking causes lung cancer" warning, these products have no indication of their hazardous nature.

1. Shampoos and Conditioners

One of the least suspicious products is the typical hair shampoos and conditioners whose ingredients list include parabens, salt lauryl sulfate (SLS), and perfume/fragrance.

Reports by the non-profit organization Breast Cancer indicate that Parabens can be absorbed through the skin and act like a weak estrogen in the body with the potential of developing breast cancer positive receptor.

[caption caption="Products in a supermarket"][/caption]

Benzene, a toxin associated with cancer and its derivatives including aldehydes, phthalates is a common ingredient in perfume synthetic fragrances.

A 2015 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that Lindane, an ingredient in lotions imported from Asia causes cancer.

2. Non-Stick Cookware

Although this may come as a surprise, your favourite non-stick pots and pans are another likely cancer trigger.

Teflon, the non-stick artificial finishing on such cookware has been found to increase the risk of some tumors in laboratory animals.

[caption caption="Non-stick pan"][/caption]

Studies have shown that heating Teflon beyond 300°C, which is possible on a conventional stovetop in just five minutes, may cause the coatings to begin breaking down and in the process release toxic fumes into the food and air.

3. Liquid Laundry Detergents, Softeners, and Cleaning Products

Conventional cleaners in your home contain coal tar dyes which have been found to cause cancer and damage nerve system.

Besides, the infamous "scent" or parfum in the cleaners is carcinogenic making most cleaners unsafe as labelled on some of their packaging - a warning that most consumers ignore.

4. Industrial Toothpaste 

The mouth cleaning toothpaste is yet another likely cancer-causing product you should be aware of.

Studies have linked fluoride, the anti tooth-decay agent in your toothpaste as a cancer causative.

5. Air Fresheners

The air freshener in your bedroom or restroom is yet another culprit of employing carcinogenic ingredients made with artificial fragrance (parfum).

Though the word parfum is a cocktail of hazardous chemicals, manufacturers conceal the true identity of these chemicals as part of their trade trick.

Natural disinfectants like tea tree and pine vital oils are an alternative air freshener.

6. Plastic Bottles and Food Containers

The plastic bag ban in Kenya by NEMA provided a much yearned environmental pollution relief, but plastics are not good for your health either.

Plastic water bottles, bags, and containers leaching chemical, a process which is accelerated by heating.

The chemical components of the plastic such as BPA, a possible cancer trigger, can seep into the water and eventually get consumed.

Using refillable water bottle and glasses hence is healthy for you and the environment as well.

7. Baby Powder

Talcum based powder uses talc, an element which contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer of the lungs when inhaled.

Some of the leading baby powder manufacturing companies have stopped disclosing the cancer-causing ingredients in their products after numerous court suits over the harm caused by the products.

8. Synthetic Sweeteners

Artificially flavoured beverages, diet sodas, teas, energy beverages, protein shakes, milk items, and juices use aspartame which is believed to cause cancer.

The debate surrounding the aspartame and its link to cancer is said to be funded by the various corporations that benefit from aspartame in an attempt to water down the causal link.

A 2007 report by Environmental Health Perspectives showed that prenatal exposure to aspartame causes the greatest cancer risk concern.

9. Soap

Antibacterial soaps contain Triclosan, which is a potential carcinogen, among other components found in normal soaps.

Dish soap, hand soap, or body wash contains parfum (fragrance) a cancer-causing agent.

All-natural (organic) soap is extensively available in the market.

10. Laundry Detergent

Some of the cancer-causing ingredients in laundry detergents include phosphorus, enzymes, ammonia, naphthalene, phenol, and salt nitrilotriacetate.

These possible carcinogenic ingredients also cause rashes, irritation, dryness, and sinus issues making it easy to take in the chemicals through the skin.

Although these products may be in daily use in your home, it is good to note that there are plenty of all-natural options available in the market hence replacing these cancer-causing products is a possibility.

 You also don't need to live in the worry of getting cancer but it is advisable to read the ingredients list on all products to eliminate hazardous ones from your shopping basket.

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