The secret pollutants in your home that are making you sick – from your bedding to candles and the vacuum cleaner
FRUIT and veg are good for us, providing vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants.
But analysis has found that 95 per cent of strawberries carry traces of PFAS – toxic chemicals thought to stay in our bodies forever.
Grapes, cherries, spinach, tomatoes and peaches have also been found to contain the toxins, linked to liver damage and developmental delays in babies.
It’s not just our fruit and veg that can be a worry, though.
At home, everything from the vacuum cleaner to the paint on our bedroom walls can present a problem.
Claire Dunwell looks at some hidden nasties that could be harming your health – and lists the things you can do to stay safe.
HAND WASH
PHTHALATES are a group of man-made, colourless, odourless, oily chemicals found in hundreds of products, including hand wash.
Studies link them to a range of health problems, including low sperm count and erectile dysfunction.
Inhaling high levels of phthalates has also been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive systems in animal studies, according to scientists in the US and Canada.
FIX IT: Choose natural hand washes that are phthalate-free, such as Ecover citrus & orange blossom wash or Faith In Nature aloe vera & tea tree hand wash.
BURNT TOAST
BURNT toast could expose us to more toxic air than standing near a busy road, according to a study by the University of Texas at Austin.
The scientists discovered that toasters used in the experiment sent dangerous particles into the air the moment they were switched on.
Crumbs at the bottom of the toaster heat up and give off ultra-fine particles.
When inhaled, these particles can be damaging to lungs.
FIX IT: Toast only until bread is golden and regularly clear toasters of crumbs.
BEDDING
THE linen on your bed, especially pillows, can quickly accumulate sweat, saliva, skin flakes and other bodily excretions, as well as bacteria, mould spores and dust mites.
All these substances can cause allergy-like symptoms, including headaches and sore throats.
Your mattress could be riddled with toxic materials that do not biodegrade.
FIX IT: Invest in a good-quality mattress and wash your pillows monthly.
FRY-UP
DROPLETS released when cooking a fry-up could be bad for your health, researchers claim.
When food that contains water, such as bacon, comes into contact with cooking oil, tiny gas particles are released through small explosions, scientists at Texas Tech and Utah State universities discovered.
Some molecules are so small they can be inhaled, which is hazardous to health.
FIX IT: Fry foods in a well-ventilated kitchen and use steam cooking or grilling instead.
SCENTED CANDLE
THEY may smell lovely, but scented candles could be bad for your lung health, say boffins at South Carolina State University.
Some candles, especially the paraffin type, can release toxins and carcinogens.
These can have an impact on those with asthma and other respiratory diseases.
A study by The European Candle Association examined more than 300 toxic chemicals released by candles and found levels that can be harmful to pets.
FIX IT: For peace of mind, burn natural candles made from beeswax and soy.
HUMIDIFIER
USING tap water in a humidifier can do more harm than good, according to research by the University of Alberta.
The team suggested using bottled water instead.
The study found that while tap water evaporated quickly once released into the air, the minerals and salts were left behind.
These particles are so small, they can get into the airways and then deep into the respiratory tract.
FIX IT: According to the study, the bottom line is to use clean water in a humidifier, which is best found by opting for bottled.
VACUUM CLEANER
HERE’S one for the houseproud among you – vacuuming your home could make you sick, say tech researchers.
A study undertaken in Australia, at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, found that certain vacuum cleaners spit fine dust and bacteria back into the air.
Too much exposure to these particles can lead to infections and allergies.
FIX IT: Invest in a vacuum cleaner that has a High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing filter.
These filters are designed to remove more particles than they release.
PAINT
STORING tins of paint at home can damage your health, say experts.
Benzene – a carcinogen and a type of chemical known as a volatile organic compound – can be found in some paints, particularly oil-based ones.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency says stored paint is one of the main sources of the chemicals in homes.
Breathing in high levels can cause headaches, a runny nose and itchy eyes.
The American Lung Association says some may cause nervous system and organ damage.
FIX IT: Discard paint supplies that will not be used immediately.
AIR FRESHENER
A QUARTER of what goes into air fresheners is classified as toxic or hazardous, according to Australian scientists.
They emit more than 100 different chemicals including volatile organic compounds, formaldehydes and phthalates, according to a 2015 study by the University of Melbourne.
A report by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology linked VOCs in air fresheners with a 34 per cent increase in health problems in those with asthma.
FIX IT: Stick to natural air fresheners – cut fresh citrus fruits or brew mint tea. Open your windows for fresh air.
NAIL POLISH
CHEMICALS in nail polish could pose major risks to our health, including fertility issues and cancer, researchers at Stanford University found.
A “toxic trio” – toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate – are to blame.
Toluene, a solvent that creates a smooth finish, can affect the nervous system and cause reproductive harm.
Dibutyl phthalate has also been linked to reproductive problems.
FIX IT: Use polishes that are free from the three dangerous chemicals, such as Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure, which is available at Boots.
ROAST DINNER
COOKING a traditional roast dinner with all the trimmings gives off pollutant levels 13 times higher than those in central London, according to scientists.
Researchers at the University of Colorado found that roasting meat and vegetables, and using a gas hob, released a surge in fine particles that pollute the air.
Similar tiny particles are produced by diesel cars and have been linked to heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.
FIX IT: Always prepare meals in a well-ventilated kitchen and use an extractor hood during cooking.