Meanwhile, phthalate exposure is already widespread in the population. “These chemicals, particularly fluorinated compounds, never break down in the environment—never—and they’ve been linked with liver and kidney cancer, and reproductive and developmental problems,” Blum explains. “Most manufacturers didn’t want to have two production lines—one for California and one for the rest of the country—so after the regulation was passed most furniture included flame retardants,” says Heather Stapleton, associate professor and program chair of environmental health at Duke University. TCVP belongs to the class of nerve-damaging chemicals known as organophosphates, a highly toxic chemical, and Propoxur belongs to a class of chemicals called carbamates, which also causes nerve damage. “And as furniture gets older and materials break down, that could increase the transfer of these chemicals into the environment.”. 11 Furniture and cabinet making: ... a chemical at high levels that can cause cancer and found in paint production – mixed with other organic solvents. Some anti-microbial treatments are also concerning, Blum says. Since 2003, azodyes have been restricted in textile and leather articles that come into contact with the skin. But others are the result of environmental exposures that damage DNA. She and others say there is ample animal and lab research to suggest these chemicals may promote a number of health concerns, including cancer. Did You Know These 9 Facts About Heart Attacks? Finally, chlorine and ammonia, perhaps the most commonly used chemicals in homes across the nation, end the list provided by Natural News. Studies have linked exposure before birth to lower birth weight in both animal and human studies. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Birnbaum says reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) could lead to safer standards and more before-market testing of chemicals used in consumer goods. Bags of potato chips are seen on a grocery store shelf on September 30, 2002 in Chicago, Illinois. In short, the FDA is reviewing all of the available safety and effectiveness data in order to evaluate triclosan. But as of today, it’s very difficult to keep all these chemicals out of your home and your body. Perchloroethylene (PCE) is most commonly used in the dry cleaning process, yet textile mills — makers of rubber coatings — also use this chemical. Inside 120 Cape Cod homes, scientists find more than 60 chemicals that interfere with hormones and may be linked to behavioral problems, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states on its website that “animal studies have shown that triclosan alters hormone regulation,” the agency also notes that such data does not always predict effects in humans. California’s Proposition 65, also called the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, first became law in the state in 1986. Scientists have made progress in understanding … So, too, are stain and water-repelling treatments. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Another example is chemical compounds called azodyes, which may release cancer-causing chemicals called aromatic amines. Gosh ,I got so scared that i just put these chairs in my garage. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserts that more research is needed to assess the human health effects of exposure to phthalates, some types of phthalates have affected the reproductive system of laboratory animals. Formaldehyde, although it is a known carcinogen, is used in carpentry, soaps, detergents, cabinetrym and glues. For the past decade, Stapleton has conducted a series of studies identifying the types and concentrations of flame-retardants used in consumer products. Cases of lung cancer … The hormone disruptors are in house dust and in the air and include chemicals in plastics and detergents. As a result, home sofas could be laced with several pounds of flame-retardant chemicals. A major source is the furniture. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. There may be information in a checked-box section stating that the item does not contain flame-retardants. Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are used in stain-resistant fabrics often included in furniture as well as in non-stick cookware like Teflon. “Several studies suggest associations between exposure to some flame retardants and poorer neurodevelopment in children,” he says. Some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Please try again later. Did you know that your furniture is actually toxic furniture! That doesn’t mean newer couches can’t contain flame-retardants. Wood dust is one of the oldest occupational exposures known to man, and it's still very important to today for those who have jobs ranging from cabinetry to mill workers. “We don’t have adequate studies on the human health effects, but from animal studies we know some of these chemicals may have immunosuppressant and immunotoxic effects, and are also linked to cancer and developmental effects.”. The more consumers ask questions and demand chemical-free couches, the safer these products will become, Birnbaum says. A recent meta-study published by the American Cancer Society suggests that over 200 chemicals found in everyday products cause breast cancer in animals. Once these chemicals enter the bloodstream, they can alter hormone levels and cause other health problems. Forty-one percent of the couches contained chlorinated Tris (TDCPP), a cancer-causing flame retardant removed from baby pajamas in the 1970s, and 17 percent contained the worldwide-banned chemical pentaBDE, the Duke University and University of California, Berkeley, researchers said. “Exposure to PBDEs in the womb and through nursing has caused thyroid effects and neurobehavioral alterations in newborn animals, but not birth defects. “There are concerns about endocrine disruption and neurotoxic effects, especially for pregnant women and children,” says Asa Bradman, associate director of the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health at the University of California, Berkeley. By signing up you are agreeing to our, What to Know About Other Impeached Presidents, Why Pelosi Can't Take the Nuclear Codes Away from Trump, A New Study Suggests Tainted Talcum Powder Can Cause a Rare Cancer. But the truth of the matter is that the chemicals used in this process are extremely dangerous, leading to cancer, disease and even death. Some furniture contains chemicals that are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Ammonia is commonly found in glass cleaners and, as such, may be used on furniture. When it comes to stain-repellant and antimicrobial treatments, a lot of furniture sellers advertise those as perks or add-ons. You knew this but science wants to confirm it: Listening to favorite music could release that pleasure-loving, possible chill-creating hormone called dopamine. Cancer is a complex group of diseases with many possible causes. Some furniture is made with chemicals on the Proposition 65 list. You Could Scroll into Trouble. The good news is that newer laws have helped limit the use of flame-retardants in furniture. Though beautiful, this home may be a hazard zone. Over the next decade, the International Energy Agency expects renewable energy to account for 80% of the world's power consumption. Learn about wood dust, which can raise the risk of cancers of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. But in older couches, flame retardants are “pretty much always present,” Bradman says. Manufacturers or sellers should also be able to provide that info, she says. This is probably the number one product that everyone has in their home in one form or another. The chemicals in our environments, while sometimes useful, can also hurt us. Or that women can have different heart attack symptoms? Has the Real Power of Solar Energy Arrived? But free-floating, harmful chemicals are also emitted from the furniture, wallpaper, flooring, and household items around us. Materials like asbestos fibers can move through the air and into the lungs in the form of tiny particles, causing long-term damage to human tissues. High amounts of wood dust are produced in sawmills, and in the furniture-making, cabinet-making, and carpentry industries. In the article, "Twelve Highly Toxic Chemicals to Banish from Your Home," Natural News reports on chemicals commonly found around the house that could cause health problems. Keep reading for 10 of the most common household items that contain cancer causing chemicals. Numerous studies have shown that flame retardants embedded … That law, called technical bulletin 117, or “TB117”, required furniture manufacturers to treat their products with flame retardant chemicals, mainly to protect against fires started by neglected cigarettes. Or what to do if you find the critters? Considering the number of jobs that could potentially involve wood dust exposure, the question about whether it could cause cancer is critical to investigate. As awareness of these chemicals dangers grows, it should become easier to find safe furniture pieces. There are hormone-disrupting agents in your deodorant and your food and your clothing. “Consumers love these [stain-repellant] treatments, but we’re concerned,” adds Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. But the average American is exposed to hundreds of chemical compounds on a daily basis. This slideshow shares some information you might find helpful. All rights reserved. Triclosan, frequently used in antibacterial soaps, is also used in making furniture and even toys. In this section you can learn more about the known causes of cancer, including genetic factors; lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, diet, and physical activity; certain types of infections; and environmental exposures to different types of chemicals and radiation. Furniture remains the primary source of flame retardants in homes today. After installing, i figured out that on the bottom tag its says, " For California users, this furniture has cancer causing chemicals in it". Bradman says it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise toxicological and dose-response effects of these chemicals. Short-term exposure, the EPA states, can cause dizziness and unconsciousness; long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage, memory loss, confusion, and even cancer. But most manufacturers have phased out these chemicals, says Arlene Blum, executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. An English physician noted that a large number of chimney sweeps had cancer of the scrotum due to exposure to soot, which contains chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Since then, many more chemicals have been identiied as known or suspected causes of cancer. Chlorine is used to bleach wood pulp and remove mold. It is For instance, although they are most commonly found in air freshners, phthalates are also an ingredient in vinyl, wood varnishes, and lacquers. Our environments, while sometimes useful, can also hurt us safety and effectiveness data in to! Are stain and water-repelling treatments PFCs ) are used in carpentry, soaps, detergents cabinetrym. Called azodyes, which may release cancer-causing chemicals called aromatic amines children, Bradman... Stapleton has conducted a series of studies identifying the types and concentrations of flame-retardants in.... Sometimes useful, can also hurt us carcinogen, is used to bleach wood and! 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